Shruti Suman
Following the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon, India is preparing to launch its inaugural space-based solar mission aimed at studying the Sun. Named after the Sun God, the Aditya-L1 satellite will be transported into space using the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The satellite will soon be combined with the rocket.
Aditya L1 Mission: Date, Time, and Location
Manufactured at Bengaluru’s U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), the Aditya-L1 satellite has arrived at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota. The launch of the Aditya-L1 spacecraft will take place from the Sriharikota base. S Somanath, the Chairman of ISRO, announced that the Aditya-L1 satellite for the solar mission is scheduled to launch during the first week of September. However, the exact date and time of the Aditya L-1 Mission are yet to be disclosed.
What Does “L1” Represent in the Aditya Mission?
In the context of the Aditya Mission, “L1” refers to Lagrange point 1 within the Sun-Earth system. The spacecraft will be positioned in a halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1), which is a point of equilibrium between the gravitational forces of the Sun and the Earth. Placing a satellite in this orbit grants the significant advantage of unobstructed and continuous observation of the Sun, devoid of any occultation or eclipses. This configuration offers enhanced capabilities for real-time monitoring of solar activities and their impact on space weather.
Lagrange points are positions in space where a smaller object tends to remain stable when placed there in a two-body gravitational system. These points are advantageous for spacecraft as they can remain in position with minimal fuel consumption. At a Lagrange point, the gravitational pull of two massive bodies balances the necessary centripetal force required to keep a smaller object moving with them. There are five Lagrange points in a two-body gravitational system, denoted as L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. For the Sun-Earth system, these points are depicted in the figure, with Lagrange point L1 situated along the Sun-Earth line.
What Is the Distance Between Aditya L1 and Earth?
Lagrange point 1 (L1) within the Sun-Earth system is situated approximately 1.5 million km from Earth. This distance is about 1% of the Earth-Sun distance. The Aditya-L1 spacecraft is equipped with seven payloads designed to observe different layers of the Sun—the photosphere, chromosphere, and the corona—using electromagnetic, particle, and magnetic field detectors. Positioned at the advantageous L1 point, four payloads have a direct line of sight to the Sun, while the remaining three payloads conduct in-situ studies of particles and fields at Lagrange point L1. This setup provides valuable scientific insights into the propagation effects of solar dynamics in the interplanetary medium.
Understanding the Aditya-L1 Mission
Initially, the spacecraft will be placed into a low Earth orbit. Subsequently, the orbit will be transformed into a more elliptical shape, and the spacecraft will then be propelled towards Lagrange point L1 using onboard thrusters. As the spacecraft journeys towards L1, it will exit Earth’s gravitational Sphere of Influence (SOI). After leaving the SOI, the cruise phase will commence, leading to the spacecraft’s insertion into a large halo orbit around L1. The complete journey from launch to L1 is expected to take approximately four months for Aditya-L1.
Is Aditya-L1 a Comprehensive Solar Study Mission?
The answer is no, not only for Aditya-L1 but for space missions in general. The constraints of spacecraft mass, power, and volume limit the number and capacity of scientific instruments that can be included. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) stated that due to these limitations, only a restricted set of instruments can be accommodated onboard. In the case of Aditya-L1, all measurements will be taken from Lagrange point L1. However, the multi-directional nature of solar phenomena, such as explosive events, makes it impossible to comprehensively study the directional distribution of energy solely with Aditya-L1.
Key Objectives of the Aditya-L1 Mission
The main objectives of the Aditya-L1 Mission are:
Understanding coronal heating and solar wind acceleration.
Investigating the initiation of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), solar flares, and near-earth space weather.
Exploring the coupling and dynamics of the solar atmosphere.
Studying solar wind distribution and temperature anisotropy.
Summary: The Aditya-L1 mission represents India’s pioneering solar exploration effort. While the launch date and time remain undisclosed, it is anticipated that the mission will commence in the first week of September.
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