RNS: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is on the verge of creating history with its upcoming mission dedicated to studying the Sun. The Aditya-L1 Solar Mission marks India’s inaugural attempt to explore our nearest star.
Speaking on Thursday, ISRO Chief S Somnath announced that the countdown has officially commenced for the Aditya-L1 Solar Mission. The mission is scheduled for launch on September 2 at 11:50 a.m. from the Sriharikota spaceport located in Andhra Pradesh.
The satellite’s designated orbit will be a halo orbit encircling the Lagrange point 1 (L1) within the Sun-Earth system, situated approximately 1.5 million kilometres away from Earth.
The journey to reach the Lagrange point will take around four months. The significance of this orbit is that it enables the satellite to observe solar activities without interference from other celestial events such as eclipses. The primary focus of the Aditya L1 mission is to study solar winds and the Sun’s atmosphere.
For this mission, the satellite will carry seven payloads, each aimed at observing distinct aspects of the Sun, including the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layer called the corona. This comprehensive approach will provide insights into issues like coronal heating, coronal mass ejections, pre-flare and flare activities, as well as the dynamics of solar weather and the movement of particles and fields in the interplanetary medium.
Notably, the Aditya L1 mission, named after the Hindu sun god, aims to provide valuable insights into the behaviour and dynamics of the Sun. The mission’s primary objective is to study the Sun’s outermost layer, known as the corona, and the chromosphere, which plays a crucial role in the generation of solar wind and other solar activities.
With the commencement of the countdown, ISRO’s scientists and engineers are working diligently to ensure that all systems are in perfect condition for launch. The launch vehicle, a specially configured version of ISRO’s trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), will carry the Aditya L1 spacecraft to its designated orbit.
With the Aditya-L1 Solar Mission, ISRO is embarking on an extraordinary journey of scientific exploration that has captured the imagination of not only scientists but also the general public. As the countdown progresses, the anticipation builds for this pioneering mission to shed light on the mysteries of the Sun and its intricate workings.
In a gesture of inclusivity, ISRO has invited citizens to witness the PSLC-C57 launch from the viewing gallery at Sriharikota. Interested individuals can register to attend through the website: lvg.shar.gov.in/VSCREGISTRATION.
