India’s upcoming space-based solar observatory mission, Aditya L1, will launch this Saturday. With a successful launch, India will be one of the few countries worldwide to have its solar observatory this close to the Sun.
The mission was supposed to be launched about 15 years ago, former ISRO scientist Dr YS Rajan has revealed. The mission was initially planned to place an orbiter in a Near-Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 800 km.
Dr Rajan, who is a recipient of the 2012 Padma Shri award for his contributions to science and engineering and co-authored “India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium” with former President A P J Abdul Kalam, told ANI that Aditya was initially planned for launch in 2008.
The mission was designed to orbit the Earth closely, allowing it to observe the Sun and provide valuable data continuously. He also highlighted ISRO’s longstanding interest in space exploration, spanning more than 15 years, and the agency’s ongoing commitment to undertaking ambitious interplanetary missions.
This insight sheds light on the long-term planning and dedication within ISRO to advance space exploration and scientific endeavors, culminating in the upcoming Aditya L1 mission, which will significantly contribute to solar research and understanding.
Once at L1 or Lagrange 1, the Aditya Solar Observatory will have its work cut out. However, the journey to point L1 is not going to be easy. It will be a long and lone flight to the designated spot, lasting over 100 days.
Aditya L1’s journey to Lagrange Point 1
The forthcoming journey of the Aditya L1 mission, from its launch to its arrival at the Lagrange point 1 (L1) within the Sun-Earth system, is expected to encompass approximately four months. Here’s an overview of the stages leading to the L1 point:
The Launch: The Aditya L1 mission will start with the launch of ISRO’s PSLV XL C57 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota.
Initial Orbit: Initially, the spacecraft will be placed into a Low Earth Orbit, which will remain for a few days, gathering momentum.
Elliptical Orbit: Following the initial orbit, adjustments will be made to transition into a more elliptical orbit.
Leaving Earth’s Gravitational Sphere of Influence or SOI: Using the momentum it gathers and onboard propulsion, the spacecraft will be propelled away from Earth, breaking free from Earth’s gravitational influence.
Cruising to its destination: After escaping Earth’s SOI, the spacecraft will enter a cruise phase, slowly moving to the L1 point. It is near this point where things will start getting heavy, literally, for the orbiter as it draws closer to the Sun.
Entering Halo Orbit: Ultimately, the spacecraft will be inserted into a halo orbit encircling the Lagrange point (L1). This orbit allows the spacecraft to maintain a stable position relative to Earth and the Sun, enabling continuous solar observations and scientific research.
Aditya-L1’s objective
The Aditya-L1 mission is equipped with seven specialized scientific instruments meticulously designed to study various layers of the Sun, including the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layer known as the corona. These instruments have electromagnetic particle and magnetic field sensors to facilitate their observations.
Four of the seven instruments have an unobstructed view of the Sun, allowing them to observe solar phenomena directly. The remaining three instruments are dedicated to on-site investigations of particles and fields within Lagrange Point L1.
The mission aims to significantly advance our understanding of various solar phenomena and their impact on the interplanetary environment and Earth. Specifically, the instrumentation carried by the Aditya L1 mission has the potential to provide crucial insights into areas such as coronal heating, coronal mass ejections, pre-flare and flare activities, and their distinct characteristics. Additionally, these investigations will enhance our knowledge of space weather dynamics and shed light on the behavior of particles and fields as they propagate through space. This mission represents a significant step forward in solar research and space science.
