# PROBA-V

> ESA Earth observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3359841](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3359841)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROBA-V)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/proba-v

## Summary
PROBA-V is an ESA Earth observation satellite launched in 2013 to monitor global vegetation and demonstrate advanced space technologies. It operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit, continuing the vegetation monitoring mission of the SPOT satellites while testing autonomous systems. PROBA-V is part of the Project for On-Board Autonomy (PROBA) series, focusing on high-resolution spectral imaging and technology validation.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: 2013-05-07 at 02:06:31 UTC aboard a Vega rocket (flight VV02).
- **Operator**: European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC).
- **Mass**: 158 kg at launch.
- **Primary Instrument**: Vegetation-2 sensor for global vegetation monitoring with 300–1000 m resolution.
- **Preceded By**: PROBA-2 (technology demonstration satellite).
- **Followed By**: PROBA-V Companion CubeSat (follow-on Earth observation mission).
- **Mission Focus**: Continuation of SPOT Vegetation data for environmental and agricultural monitoring.
- **Power Source**: 3 solar cell panels.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the main purpose of PROBA-V?
A: PROBA-V monitors global vegetation and demonstrates advanced satellite technologies, ensuring continuity of data from the SPOT Vegetation instrument.

### Q: How does PROBA-V relate to other PROBA missions?
A: PROBA-V follows PROBA-2 and precedes the PROBA-V Companion CubeSat, focusing on Earth observation rather than pure technology demonstration.

### Q: What makes PROBA-V unique?
A: It combines vegetation monitoring with technology testing, such as autonomous star sensors and a compact design, in a small satellite platform.

## Why It Matters
PROBA-V plays a critical role in maintaining long-term Earth observation data for climate studies, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. By bridging the gap between the SPOT program and future missions, it ensures continuity of vegetation datasets used by scientists and policymakers worldwide. Its technology demonstrations, such as advanced autonomy systems and high-efficiency instruments, pave the way for cost-effective small satellite missions. PROBA-V’s ability to deliver high-quality data from a compact platform highlights the potential of small satellites in addressing global challenges like deforestation and food security.

## Notable For
- First mission to fly the Vegetation-2 instrument, providing daily global coverage of plant health and growth.
- Demonstrated autonomous star tracker technology for precise attitude control without ground intervention.
- Extended mission lifespan beyond its initial 2-year plan, operating until 2020 and succeeded by a CubeSat.
- Compact design (158 kg) with high spectral resolution capabilities, proving the viability of small satellites for complex Earth observation tasks.

## Body
### Mission Overview
PROBA-V, launched on 7 May 2013, is part of ESA’s Project for On-Board Autonomy series. Its primary objective is to monitor vegetation globally using the Vegetation-2 sensor, which captures data in four spectral bands (red, near-infrared, blue, and thermal infrared) at resolutions of 300–1000 meters. The mission ensures continuity of the SPOT Vegetation dataset, critical for tracking environmental changes.

### Launch Details
- **Launch Vehicle**: Vega rocket (flight VV02).
- **Launch Site**: Ensemble de Lancement Vega, Guiana Space Centre.
- ** COSPAR ID**: 2013-021A.

### Instrumentation
The Vegetation-2 instrument, developed by OIP Space Instruments, features a 300 km swath width and a 1-day revisit capability. It operates in a 820 km Sun-synchronous orbit, providing consistent lighting conditions for vegetation analysis.

### Technology Demonstration
PROBA-V tested multiple experimental technologies, including:
- Autonomous star trackers for navigation.
- High-efficiency solar panels and power systems.
- Advanced data processing algorithms for real-time image correction.

### Legacy
PROBA-V’s mission was extended multiple times, with operations concluding in 2020. Its data supported studies on crop yields, forest health, and climate modeling. The follow-on PROBA-V Companion CubeSat, launched in 2023, continues its vegetation monitoring role using a smaller, more affordable platform.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "PROBA-V",
  "description": "ESA Earth observation satellite focused on vegetation monitoring and technology demonstration.",
  "url": "https://www.esa.int/probav",
  "sameAs": [
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    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROBA-V"
  ],
  "manufacturer": [
    {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "Redwire Space NV",
      "description": "Spacecraft bus manufacturer"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "OIP Space Instruments",
      "description": "Payload developer"
    }
  ],
  "launchDate": "2013-05-07",
  "mass": {
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    "value": 158,
    "unitText": "kg"
  },
  "identifier": [
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      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "propertyID": "COSPAR ID",
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}

## References

1. [Source](https://www.belspo.be/belspo/space/esa_esec_en.stm)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/proba-v.htm)
3. [Source](https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Proba_Missions/Overview2)
4. Space-Track
5. Jonathan's Space Report
6. [Source](https://earth.esa.int/eogateway/missions/proba-v/description)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013