Nilanjan
India’s pioneering solar mission, Aditya-L1, marked another significant milestone with the successful completion of its fourth Earth-bound maneuver, as confirmed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on September 15. ISRO reported that the spacecraft has now achieved a new orbit measuring 256 km x 121,973 km.
During this maneuver, ISRO’s ground stations at Mauritius, Bengaluru, SDSC-SHAR, and Port Blair closely tracked the satellite’s progress. Additionally, a transportable terminal stationed in the Fiji Islands, specifically for Aditya-L1, played a crucial role in supporting post-burn operations.
The upcoming maneuver is scheduled for September 19 around 02:00 Hrs. IST will be the Trans-Lagrangian Point 1 Insertion (TL1I), propelling the spacecraft away from Earth on its journey towards the first Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L1), situated approximately 1.5 million km from Earth. It is worth noting that the first, second, and third Earth-bound maneuvers were successfully executed on September 3, 5, and 10, respectively.
These maneuvers are an integral part of Aditya-L1’s 16-day journey around Earth, during which the spacecraft gradually accumulates the necessary velocity for its onward voyage to L1. Aditya-L1 is poised to become India’s premier space-based observatory, dedicated to studying the Sun from its unique halo orbit around L1.
Aditya-L1’s Next Phases: Journey to the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 and Beyond
Having completed its fourth Earth-bound orbital maneuver, Aditya-L1 is now set to embark on its next crucial phases. The upcoming Trans-Lagrangian 1 insertion maneuver marks the initiation of a remarkable 110-day journey to reach the L1 Lagrange point, which will be the mission’s final destination. Upon reaching L1, a subsequent maneuver will establish Aditya-L1 in a stable orbit around this gravitationally balanced point situated between Earth and the Sun. Throughout its mission, the satellite will continuously orbit L1 in an irregular path, oriented roughly perpendicular to the line connecting Earth and the Sun.
Aditya-L1 achieved its initial launch via ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C57) on September 2, propelling it into an elliptical orbit measuring 235×19,500 km around Earth. This successful launch marked the beginning of Aditya-L1’s mission.
The ultimate objective of the Aditya-L1 mission is to position the spacecraft in a halo orbit around Lagrange Point 1 (L1), located 1.5 million km away from Earth, in the direction of the Sun. This ambitious journey is expected to span approximately four months. Once in position, Aditya-L1 will remain at a distance of approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, continuously focusing on the Sun. Its primary mission is to study the outer atmosphere of the Sun, providing invaluable insights into this colossal celestial body.
Aditya-L1’s Array of Scientific Instruments: Unlocking Solar Secrets from a Strategic Location
Aditya-L1 is equipped with seven state-of-the-art scientific payloads, painstakingly developed by ISRO and esteemed national research institutions such as the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru and the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune. These payloads are designed to meticulously observe various layers of the Sun, including the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layer known as the corona. They rely on electromagnetic particle and magnetic field detectors to capture valuable data.
It’s important to note that Aditya-L1 will not land on the Sun nor venture exceptionally close to it. Instead, it will maintain a strategic position, carefully positioned at Lagrange Point 1 (L1), enabling continuous solar observations without the interference of eclipses or occultation. This unique vantage point will empower scientists to monitor solar activities and their real-time impact on space weather. Additionally, the data collected by the spacecraft will play a crucial role in deciphering the sequence of events leading to solar eruptions, thereby enhancing our comprehension of space weather drivers.
