Aditya-L1 will travel approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, about four times the distance to the moon
Shortly after the success of Chandrayaan-3, which garnered global acclaim for its achievements, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has once again captured the world’s attention by announcing its upcoming milestone: the “Aditya-L1” solar mission. In an announcement made on 28th August, ISRO revealed its pioneering mission to study the sun.
On 2nd September at precisely 11:50 AM IST, another chapter in India’s space exploration will be added as the Aditya-L1 spacecraft is slated to lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. The primary objective of the Aditya-L1 mission is to delve into the nuances of the solar upper atmosphere, placing a special emphasis on the chromosphere and corona.
🚀PSLV-C57/🛰️Aditya-L1 Mission:
The launch of Aditya-L1,
the first space-based Indian observatory to study the Sun ☀️, is scheduled for
🗓️September 2, 2023, at
🕛11:50 Hrs. IST from Sriharikota.Citizens are invited to witness the launch from the Launch View Gallery at… pic.twitter.com/bjhM5mZNrx
— ISRO (@isro) August 28, 2023
The Aditya-L1 mission will be positioned at an astounding distance of approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, about four times the distance to the moon. By doing so, ISRO will be able to gather real-time monitoring of solar activities and their corresponding effects on space weather. The spacecraft is designed carefully, consisting of seven payloads. Four of these payloads are dedicated to direct observations of the sun, engaging in remote sensing activities. Intriguingly, the remaining three payloads serve as the eyes and ears of the spacecraft, performing in-situ observations that provide a more comprehensive view of the sun’s behavior.
Aditya-L1 is expected to reach its designated location at the Lagrange Point 1 (L1) after approximately four months from its launch date. As the countdown to launch progresses, ISRO’s pensive approach to preparation is evident. On 30th August, ISRO executed a comprehensive launch rehearsal, examining every facet of the PSLV-C57 vehicle, ensuring that every system and component is in optimal condition for the historic journey ahead.
An interesting fact: ISRO’s Aditya-L1 will be placed much closer to the sun than NASA’s space telescope!
