Aditya-L1 is a coronagraphy spacecraft. It was conceived and crafted by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) in collaboration with a few other Indian research institutes. On 2nd September 2023, it commenced its mission, propelled into space aboard the PSLC C57.
This spacecraft is on a quest to explore the solar atmosphere. It intends to look into the mysteries of solar magnetic storms and find out their implications on Earth and its surroundings.
India’s Aditya-L1 Begins Journey: 5 Points You Should Know
1. Duration of the mission: This ambitious undertaking is planned for an impressive 5.2 years.
2. Specifications of the spacecraft: It boasts a launch mass of 1,475 kilograms and a payload mass of 244 kilograms.
3. Objectives of the mission: The spacecraft has several scientific agendas. It shall look into the dynamic intricacies of the corona and chromosphere of the Sun. It will investigate the enigmatic phenomena of coronal and chromospheric heating. Aditya-L1 would observe the complex particle environment within its vicinity.
It would determine the sequence of processes in various layers beneath the corona, which leads to solar eruptions. It shall also explore the realm of space weather. Furthermore, Aditya-L1 seeks to unveil insights into the composition, origin, and dynamics of solar wind.
4. Journey to L1 point: Aditya-L1 to go on a 110-day voyage to get to its designated orbit around the L1 point about 127 days after its successful launch.
5. Significance: Aditya-L1 marks the first mission of India geared towards the study of the Sun. The mission’s objections hold the promise of getting and providing crucial data on topics related to coronal heating, pre-flare and flare activities, coronal mass ejections, the propagation patterns of particles and fields in the solar environment, and the dynamic nature of space weather.
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Aditya-L1 now resides in a halo orbit of approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. It is nestled within the L1 Lagrange point between our planet and the Sun.
