Aditya-L1: Days after the successful launch of its Chandrayaan-3 mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch Aditya-L1, its first solar mission, which will investigate the Sun. On Saturday, September 2, ISRO will launch Aditya-L1 from the second launch site at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
ISRO reports that the countdown for the launch of Aditya-L1 aboard PSLV C57 has begun. Notably, this is the organization’s first mission to examine the Sun.
This will enhance the ability to observe solar activity and its impact on space weather in real time, according to ISRO.
Check the launch date, time, location, and mission objectives of India’s upcoming solar mission, which is about to begin in a few hours.
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Date and time of the launch
ISRO’s Aditya L1 will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 11:50 IST on Saturday, September 2. The original launch date was set for 2020, but it was repeatedly moved back and is now scheduled for 2023.
All ground systems are undergoing testing, and the spacecraft is reportedly launch-ready.
Aditya L1 terminal
The spacecraft will be propelled towards the Lagrange point (L1) by its onboard propulsion, after which it will leave the Earth’s gravitational sphere of influence and enter a large halo surrounding L1.
L1 is a gravitationally stable point between the Sun and the Earth, located approximately 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth, where the gravitational influence of both the Sun and the Earth are equal. Consequently, this is where the spacecraft will remain in a fixed position, and it is also why L1 has been selected as the location from which to observe the Sun.
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When will the Aditya L1 spacecraft reach the Sun?
ISRO estimates that it will take roughly four months for the spacecraft to reach L1 from Earth.
Aditya-L1 Objectives
The ISRO solar mission seeks to achieve the following goals:
- It will investigate the upper atmosphere of the Sun, including the chromosphere and corona.
- It will investigate the heating of the sun’s atmosphere, the physics of partially ionised plasma, coronal mass ejections, and flaring.
- Additionally, it will examine the particle and plasma environment surrounding the sun.
- It will also investigate the plasma’s temperature, velocity, and density in the corona and coronal loops.
- In addition, it will investigate the origin, composition, and dynamics of the solar wind.
Aditya-L1: Pathway
- The PSLV-C57 rocket will launch Aditya-L1 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
- After launch, the satellite will be deployed in a low Earth orbit.
- After adjusting the orbit, Aditya L1 will be raised, and the spacecraft will be propelled towards L1 using on-board propulsion.
- After leaving the Earth’s gravitational field, the ‘cruise phase’ will be initiated.
- Upon completion of this phase, the spacecraft will be encircled by a large Halo and placed in an orbit to reach L1.
