Aditya-L1 mission update: ISRO starts placing the spacecraft away from Earth

The spacecraft, under ISRO’s guidance, ascended to a new orbit of 245 x 22459 km

On 2nd September, Saturday, ISRO achieved yet another milestone in its space exploration journey. India’s first solar mission, bolstered by the Aditya-L1 spacecraft, achieved a successful launch from Sriharikota. The launch vehicle responsible for carrying Aditya-L1 into its designated orbit was the PSLV-C57/Aditya L-1. With precision, this vehicle placed the satellite into its intended orbit, marking a critical step in the mission’s success.

Following this successful launch, ISRO announced that Aditya-L1 had embarked on its journey towards Lagrange Point 1 (L1). Lagrange Point 1, situated between the Earth and the Sun, holds strategic importance for solar observations, making it an ideal destination for Aditya-L1’s mission objectives which aim to enhance our understanding of the Sun’s behaviour. On the deployment of solar panels, ISRO shared the upcoming schedule for the spacecraft.

On 3rd September, yesterday, at 11:45 Hrs. IST, a significant milestone in the Aditya L-1 mission unfolded as the first orbit raising maneuver was executed. This maneuver was designed to propel the spacecraft into an orbit positioned farther from Earth’s surface. Remarkably, ISRO confirmed that the spacecraft’s health was in optimal condition. The spacecraft, under ISRO’s guidance, ascended to a new orbit of 245 x 22459 km.

As the spacecraft continues on its journey to L1, these carefully planned and executed maneuvers are of the utmost importance. The spacecraft’s next orbit lifting maneuver is planned on the 5th September, around 15:00 Hrs. IST, says ISRO.

Also read: From lunar to solar: Everything you need to know about ISRO’s Aditya-L1