Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

ESA Loses Contact with Proba-3, Investigates Recovery Options

3/8/2026

42 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On March 6, 2026, the European Space Agency announced it had lost contact with Proba-3 due to an anomaly on February 14.
Launched in December 2024, Proba-3 comprises two spacecraft—the Coronagraph and the Occulter—that create artificial solar eclipses to study the Sun's corona.
ESA is investigating the orientation failure and considering using the Occulter to assist in recovery.

1 of 1

Story summary

On March 6, 2026, the European Space Agency announced it had lost contact with Proba-3 due to an anomaly on February 14.
Launched in December 2024, Proba-3 comprises two spacecraft—the Coronagraph and the Occulter—that create artificial solar eclipses to study the Sun's corona.
ESA is investigating the orientation failure and considering using the Occulter to assist in recovery.