The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently received the Visible Line Emission Coronagraph (VLEC), the primary payload for the Aditya-L1 mission, from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA). The Aditya-L1 mission is a significant endeavor that marks India’s first space mission focusing on solar observations. The planned launch period is set around June or July 2023. This ambitious initiative aims to shed light on various unseen aspects of the Sun and the solar corona.
Understanding the Aditya-L1 Mission
The Aditya L1 will be lofted into space using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) with seven instruments or payloads on board. These payloads consist of the VELC, Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT), Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS), Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX), High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS), Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA), and Advanced Tri-axial High Resolution Digital Magnetometers.
The primary objective of Aditya L1 mission pertains to studying various activities in the Sun’s corona and photosphere, such as chromosphere, solar emissions, solar winds and flares, and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). Additionally, it will perform incessant imaging of the Sun.
L1 (Lagrangian/Lagrange Point 1) Explained
In the Earth-Sun orbital plane, there are five positions known as Lagrangian or Lagrange Points, where the gravitational forces of both celestial bodies interact to create points of attraction and repulsion. The L1 point, where Aditya L1 will be sent, is approximately 1.5 million km from Earth. This vantage point allows continuous viewing of the Sun without any obstruction or eclipses. Currently, the L1 point houses the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Satellite (SOHO), a joint project by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).
The Features and Importance of VELC Payload
The Visible Line Emission Coronagraph (VELC) is the primary payload among the seven to be on board for the Aditya-L1 mission. It stands as one of the most precise instruments made in India, conceptualized and designed over 15 years. The VELC will provide critical insights into the temperature, velocity, and density of the corona, the heating process of the corona, and the acceleration of solar wind. Additionally, it will help in understanding space weather drivers, measure the corona’s magnetic field, and study CMEs’ origin and development.
Previous and Upcoming Missions to the Sun
Several other missions aim to understand the sun better. For instance, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is designed to trace heat and energy movements through the Sun’s corona and study the solar wind’s acceleration. Other initiatives like the Helios 2 Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter have also contributed to our knowledge of the Sun. Furthermore, several active spacecraft, such as ACE, IRIS, WIND, Hinode, SDO, and STEREO, are continuously monitoring the Sun.
Aditya-L1 bears significance in India’s strides in space science and technology and its application aids in socio-economic development. It underlines the progress made in space missions and the possibilities that lie ahead for future explorations. It serves as a testimony to the scientific ingenuity and determination of Indian scientists, as well as the dedication of ISRO in propelling the country’s space program forward. With such impressive achievements in the realm of space science and technology, the future holds promising prospects for further advancements.
Last Modified: February 19, 2024