A chain reaction led to the spacecraft losing its orientation, causing its solar panel to face away from the Sun, draining the batteries. However overnight "some miracle happened because we reconnected with the spacecraft," ESA director Josef Aschbacher said on Thursday. The lost spacecraft had been "tumbling" when an ESA team in Spain "saw that some sunlight is actually hitting the solar panels," Aschbacher explained. The spacecraft's solar panel is now facing the Sun, allowing it to charge its batteries. Proba-3 mission manager Damien Galano said in a statement.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 19, 2026 18:02 UTC