Formation-flying satellites successfully integrated in Proba-3 mission.

The two spacecraft forming ESA’s Proba-3 mission for precise formation flying in orbit are now complete and fully integrated. The mission's main payload is a science instrument focused on the Sun which will produce unique data. The spacecraft will fly on a highly elongated orbit and will perform observations at the top of each orbit to minimize gravitational and illumination effects from Earth. The spacecraft will be shipped to Germany for a four-month environmental test campaign before being flown by PSLV launcher from India next year.