Technology Development

Orbits


2011 – Technology Development Satellites – Snapshot

Other national space agencies are also supporting key technology development efforts. In April 2011, ESA approved the development of Proba-3, a mission to demonstrate autonomous formation flying by spacecraft. Scheduled for launch in 2016, Proba-3 will feature two satellites that will fly in formation, maintaining a positional accuracy of a few millimeters at separation distances of up to 150 meters (500 feet) without any intervention from the ground.

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