Aditya-L1: ISRO successfully launches its solar mission; check the mission's objectives, payloads, duration, and more
Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at 11:50 am on Saturday successfully launched its historic solar research mission, Aditya-L1, on a PSLV-C57 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Station in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
Solar mission begins
Aditya-L1 will initially enter a low Earth orbit. After this, the spacecraft will use its propulsion system to move toward L1. During its journey, Aditya-L1 will spend approximately four months in space before arriving at its designated observation location. Aditya-L1 is built for a research duration of approximately 5 years
Aditya-L1's journey
Dr Sankarasubramanian K is leading the Aditya-L1 Mission. Dr Sankarasubramanian is a highly knowledgeable scientist with expertise in solar research, currently serving at the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru. He earned his doctoral degree in Physics from Bangalore University through the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. His research is centred on domains such as solar magnetic fields, optics, and instrumentation
Who is leading the Mission?
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Aditya-L1 will be placed in a special orbit around a point called Lagrange Point 1, which is about 1.5 million kilometres away from Earth in space. This unique orbit will let the spacecraft always see the Sun without any breaks or blockages from other planets or their natural satellites. ISRO's goal is to closely examine the Sun's actions, which have indirect effects on Earth's climate and satellite communication
Objective
According to ISRO, the Aditya L1 payload suits are anticipated to offer vital insights into comprehending issues related to coronal heating, coronal mass ejections, pre-flare and flare activities, as well as their attributes. Additionally, they will shed light on the dynamics of space weather, the propagation of particles and fields, and more crucial information
Features of payloads
Aditya-L1 is equipped with seven scientific payloads that are dedicated to conducting a systematic exploration of the Sun. Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer and High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer are designed to analyse X-ray flares emitted by the Sun across a broad X-ray energy spectrum. These payloads were developed at the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru
Equipped with 7 payloads
SUIT's purpose is to capture images of the Solar Photosphere and Chromosphere in the near Ultraviolet (UV) range and measure fluctuations in solar irradiance in this region. It was developed in collaboration between the Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Pune and ISRO
SUIT (Solar Ultra-violet Imaging Telescope)
The Magnetometer (MAG) payload is capable of measuring interplanetary magnetic fields at the L1 point. It was developed at the Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems in Bengaluru. Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) payload is engineered to investigate the solar corona and the dynamics of coronal mass ejections. This payload was created through a collaborative effort between the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bengaluru and ISRO
MAG and VELC
The Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment and Plasma Analyser Package are instruments designed for studying the solar wind, energetic ions, and their energy distribution. ASPEX was developed at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, while PAPA was developed at the Space Physics Laboratory, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre