Bengaluru, NFAPost: India’s pioneering space-based solar observatory, Aditya-L1, is gearing up for its eagerly anticipated launch, according to an announcement by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday.
The spacecraft, meticulously crafted at the U R Rao Satellite Centre, has arrived at the ISRO’s launch facility in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. A representative from ISRO revealed to PTI that the launch is expected to occur in the first week of September.
Aditya-L1 is poised to be stationed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1), positioned approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, in the Sun-Earth system.
One of the most significant advantages of positioning a satellite in the halo orbit around the L1 point is its unobstructed view of the Sun. Unlike satellites positioned closer to Earth, Aditya-L1 will experience no occultation or eclipses. This uninterrupted view is poised to provide an unparalleled opportunity for real-time observation of solar activities and their influence on space weather.
The spacecraft is equipped with seven distinct payloads, each designed to meticulously study different aspects of the Sun, ranging from the photosphere and chromosphere to the outermost layers, including the corona. The data will be gathered using a combination of electromagnetic, particle, and magnetic field detectors.
Utilizing its strategic position at the L1 point, four of the payloads will directly observe the Sun’s behaviour. Meanwhile, the remaining three payloads will carry out in-situ studies of particles and fields at the L1, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of solar dynamics in the interplanetary medium.
ISRO emphasized the pivotal role of Aditya-L1’s payloads in addressing a range of scientific inquiries, such as understanding coronal heating, analyzing coronal mass ejections, and investigating the dynamics of space weather.
The mission’s core objectives encompass various scientific inquiries, including the study of the dynamics of the solar upper atmosphere (chromosphere and corona), exploration of chromospheric and coronal heating mechanisms, observation of flares and coronal mass ejections, and the detailed study of particle and field dynamics originating from the Sun.
The instruments aboard Aditya-L1 are precisely tailored to examine the solar atmosphere, focusing primarily on the chromosphere and corona. Concurrently, the in-situ instruments will closely monitor the local environment at the L1 point.
As the launch date approaches, Aditya-L1 stands as a beacon of India’s commitment to unravelling the enigmatic intricacies of our Sun. The mission’s potential to unlock a deeper understanding of solar phenomena and their implications for space weather holds promise for scientific advancements and practical applications alike.
