Chairman S Somnath Provides Updates on Key Milestones and Achievements in Aditya-L1’s Journey
Bengaluru, NFAPost: In a recent announcement, Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somnath unveiled the anticipated date for the Lagrangian point (L1) insertion of India’s pioneering solar mission, Aditya-L1. Scheduled for January 6, 2024, the precise time of insertion remains pending.
S Somnath shared this information during his presence at the 7th national conclave organized by Chhatra Sansad in Vadodara, Gujarat, where he, alongside BJP leader Rivaba Jadeja, discussed the latest advancements in India’s space exploration endeavours.
Following the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the Moon’s South Pole, ISRO embarked on the next phase with the launch of Aditya-L1 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on September 2. The Solar Wind Ion Spectrometer (SWIS), a vital instrument in the Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX), has been confirmed operational.
According to ISRO, the ASPEX payload, consisting of cutting-edge instruments like SWIS and STEPS (SupraThermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer), is performing optimally. Both SWIS and STEPS instruments have been contributing crucial data since their activation on November 2, 2023, and September 10, 2023, respectively.
The ASPEX has already commenced its measurements of solar wind ions, marking a significant milestone in the mission. ISRO reported that the spectrometer recorded the impulsive phase of solar flares during its first observation period, capturing high-energy X-ray glimpses with the HEL1OS X-ray spectrometer.
Designed to continuously observe the sun without being hindered by eclipses or occultation, Aditya-L1 holds a strategic position that allows scientists to study solar activities and their impact on real-time space weather. The spacecraft’s data is expected to provide insights into the sequence of processes leading to solar eruptive events, contributing to a deeper understanding of space weather drivers.
ISRO, in an update, confirmed that Aditya-L1 will not land on the sun or approach it any closer, ensuring its ability to observe the sun consistently. As the mission progresses, the ISRO team continues to fine-tune the spacecraft’s instruments, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to advancing its capabilities in space exploration.
