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Space

It is a technological breakthrough. The two satellites of the Proba-3 mission are expected to maintain their respective positions with a precision of one millimetre. This system of satellites flying in formation and forming an artificial eclipse will act as a giant coronagraph, able to study the Sun’s corona with unprecedented precision. © ESA

21 June 2013

Millimetric precision for flying satellites

European scientists are preparing to notch up a world first in satellite formation flying. Two spacecraft will soon be flying side-by-side with extreme precision.

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