Shruti Suman
Following the impressive success of Chandrayaan-3, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for its inaugural solar mission. ISRO has now set a specific date and time for its next ambitious undertaking: the exploration of the Sun.
The significant announcement came from the Indian space agency on August 28th via a tweet. ISRO conveyed, “Aditya L1 will mark India’s first space-based mission dedicated to studying the Sun.”
When is India planning to launch its inaugural solar mission?
The maiden solar mission for the nation, Aditya-L1, is scheduled for launch on September 2nd at 11:50 A.M. from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
The tweet elaborated, “PSLV-C57/Aditya-L1 Mission: The launch of Aditya-L1, India’s pioneering space-based observatory for solar study, is planned for September 2, 2023, at 11:50 AM IST from Sriharikota. The public is welcome to witness the launch from the Launch View Gallery at Sriharikota.”
According to ISRO, the primary focus of this solar mission is to investigate “Solar upper atmospheric dynamics,” which includes the “chromosphere and corona.” Aditya-L1 will observe the solar corona from a distant position at the Sun-Earth Lagrange point L1, situated about 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth.
The launch of India’s debut solar mission, Aditya-L1, will utilize the PSLV-C57 rocket. The mission will also delve into studying the physics of the partially ionized plasma within the solar atmosphere.
The spacecraft will be equipped with seven payloads, and its objectives will encompass the study of solar wind as well. Additionally, Aditya-L1 aims to analyze the key drivers of space weather.
ISRO further elaborated, “The instruments aboard Aditya L1 are expected to provide critical insights into understanding the phenomena of coronal heating, coronal mass ejections, pre-flare and flare activities, along with their characteristics. It will also explore the dynamics of space weather, the propagation of particles and fields, and more.”
