The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with its profound contribution to space exploration, is ready to undertake a significant endeavour. The ISRO aims to carry out a pivotal operation marking the positioning of Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory, into an orbit around one of the Sun-Earth system’s Lagrangian points. For readers who may be new to such technical terms, we shall endeavour to simplify and explain these concepts in this article.
What’s the Mission Aim?
The primary goal of ISRO is to place Aditya-L1 in a ‘halo’ orbit around the Lagrangian point, abbreviated as L1. Strategically locating a satellite here enables uninterrupted surveillance of the Sun, devoid of any occultation or eclipses. The ability to observe solar activities without any disruptions is the main advantage of this positioning.
Where Exactly is L1?
The L1 point, where ISRO intends to position Aditya-L1, is approximately 1.5 million km away from our planet. To help you visualize this distance, it is about 1% of our Earth-Sun distance.
Understanding the Lagrange Points
Lagrange points are unique positions in outer space where a small object can maintain its position relative to two larger objects due to a precise balance of gravitational forces and centripetal forces. In simpler terms, these points allow spacecraft to ‘park’ and sustain their position effectively. A vital advantage of using these points is the minimization of fuel consumption, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the spacecraft.
The Launch of Aditya-L1
Aditya-L1 was launched in September 2023 aboard the PSLV-C57 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Significantly, Aditya-L1 is India’s first space-based observatory with a one-pointed focus on studying our Sun.
What’s on Board Aditya-L1?
The Aditya-L1 carries seven payloads, each designed to observe different aspects of the Sun. These include the photosphere (the visible surface of the Sun), the chromosphere (the middle layer between the photosphere and corona) and the corona (the outermost section of the Sun). These instruments have been included on Aditya-L1 with an aim to gather crucial information about various solar activities.
The Significance of Aditya-L1’s Data
The data that Aditya-L1 is expected to gather will provide insights into phenomena such as coronal heating, coronal mass ejections, space weather dynamics, and the propagation of particles and fields. This valuable information will deepen our understanding of space weather and its influences, contributing significantly to our knowledge of our universe.
Endeavours like Aditya-L1 not only underscore ISRO’s commitment to advancing space exploration but also serves the purpose of informing and educating humanity about the intricacies of the universe.