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Sriharikota :India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1, is on track to reach its ultimate destination, the L1 point, on January 6, according to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief S Somanath. The spacecraft, launched on September 2 last year, has successfully undergone multiple manoeuvres, setting the stage for its final orbital positioning.
Upon reaching the L1 point, Aditya-L1 will undergo a final manoeuvre to position itself permanently. This strategic location will allow the spacecraft an unobstructed view of the sun, free from eclipses. The ISRO chief emphasized the importance of a controlled engine burn to enter a halo orbit, ensuring a stable and prolonged observation of the solar corona and its impact on space weather.
All six scientific payloads aboard Aditya-L1 have undergone successful testing and are reported to be functioning exceptionally well. These payloads are designed to observe various layers of the sun, including the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona, utilizing electromagnetic particle and magnetic field detectors. The unique vantage point at L1 enables direct views of the sun, providing crucial insights into solar dynamics.
Launched on September 2, 2023, Aditya-L1 is India’s first space-based solar observatory. It is positioned at the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth. The mission aims to study the sun’s various layers and the impact of solar dynamics on interplanetary conditions.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C57) successfully launched Aditya-L1 from the Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota on September 2. After a flight duration of 63 minutes and 20 seconds, the spacecraft was injected into an elliptical orbit of 235×19500 km around Earth.
