Chandrayaan 3 accomplished : ISRO Shifts Focus to Aditya-L1 Solar Mission, Set for Launch on September 2nd
Scheduled to take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR) in Sriharikota, the Aditya-L1 mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is set to launch via a PSLV rocket. Just a day following Chandrayaan-3’s historic lunar landing, Isro revealed its plans for the Aditya-L1 mission on September 2. This mission has a dedicated focus on delving into the mysteries of the Sun.
According to Nilesh M Desai, Director of the Space Applications Centre at Isro in Ahmedabad, the Aditya-L1 mission is fully prepared and awaiting its launch.
Taking flight from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR) in Sriharikota, the Aditya-L1 mission’s journey will span 127 days to reach its destination, which lies around 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth. This strategic positioning will place Aditya-L1 in a uniquely elliptical orbit, facilitating up-close observations of the Sun. The mission’s primary goals include closely monitoring solar activities and enhancing our comprehension of the Sun’s pivotal role in sustaining life on our planet.
About the Aditya-L1 Mission
Representing India’s ambitious quest to explore the Sun, a celestial entity that has intrigued scientists and space enthusiasts for centuries, the Aditya-L1 mission is brimming with potential.
A key instrument aboard the spacecraft is the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), which will capture images and conduct spectroscopic analyses of the Sun. These endeavors are aimed at unraveling the scientific intricacies that power the Sun.
In addition to the VELC, the Aditya-L1 spacecraft will house six other cutting-edge instruments. These instruments collectively aim to deepen our understanding of the Sun. While four payloads will directly observe the Sun from the distinct vantage point of L1, the remaining trio of payloads will engage in in-situ studies of particles and fields at the Lagrange point L1.
The L1 point within the Earth-Sun system offers an uninterrupted view of the Sun. Currently, this position is occupied by NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Satellite (SOHO). It presents a remarkable advantage for continuous observation of solar activities.
The Aditya-L1 mission is a significant and ambitious project by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aimed at studying the Sun, our closest star. This mission represents India’s determined effort to explore the solar processes and phenomena that have fascinated scientists and space enthusiasts for generations. Let’s delve into the details of the Aditya-L1 mission:
Objective:
The primary objective of the Aditya-L1 mission is to comprehensively study the Sun’s outermost layer, known as the solar corona, and the chromosphere. The mission aims to address fundamental questions about the Sun’s behavior, solar activity, and its impact on space weather, Earth’s climate, and technology.
Launch and Journey:
The Aditya-L1 spacecraft is scheduled to be launched aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR) in Sriharikota. After launch, the spacecraft will embark on a journey to reach the Lagrange Point 1 (L1), which is about 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth. This location offers a stable environment for observations and is strategically positioned between the Earth and the Sun.
Instruments and Payloads:
The Aditya-L1 spacecraft is equipped with a suite of sophisticated instruments designed to capture various aspects of solar activity. The key instrument is the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), which will study the solar corona in visible and near-ultraviolet wavelengths. The VELC will provide high-resolution images of the corona, aiding in understanding its dynamics and heating mechanisms.
Additionally, the spacecraft carries several other instruments, including:
- Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT): SUIT will capture high-resolution images of the Sun in the far and near ultraviolet regions, shedding light on the Sun’s chromosphere and transition region.
- Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX): ASPEX aims to study the variation of solar wind properties as they propagate from the Sun to interplanetary space.
- Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA): PAPA will measure the properties of ions and electrons in the solar wind, contributing to our understanding of solar wind dynamics.
- Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS): SoLEXS will observe low-energy X-rays from the Sun’s corona, revealing valuable insights into its composition and temperature.
- High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS): HEL1OS will focus on observing hard and soft X-rays from solar flares and other high-energy solar phenomena.
Scientific Significance:
The Aditya-L1 mission holds immense scientific value. By studying the Sun’s outer layers and its dynamic processes, scientists can gain insights into phenomena such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and their potential impacts on Earth. Understanding space weather is crucial for satellite operations, communication systems, and power grids.
Global Collaboration:
The Aditya-L1 mission is a collaborative effort involving multiple national and international partners, reflecting the global interest in advancing our understanding of the Sun and its influence on our solar system.
In conclusion, the Aditya-L1 mission represents a ground breaking endeavour to unlock the mysteries of the Sun. By employing cutting-edge instruments and technology, ISRO aims to contribute significantly to the field of solar science and space weather prediction, benefiting both scientific research and practical applications on Earth.
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