Aditya L1 Mission: Unlocking the Secrets of the Sun

 

Aditya-L1 is a satellite intended for in-depth research on the Sun. It contains 7 different payloads that were all created locally. Five by ISRO and two by academic institutions working with ISRO in India.

Sanskrit refers to the Sun as Aditya. Lagrange Point 1 of the Sun-Earth system is referred to as L1 here. The gravitational forces of two celestial bodies, such as the Sun and Earth, are in balance at L1, according to conventional thought. This makes it possible for an object to stay there reasonably steady in relation to both heavenly bodies.

Aditya-L1 stays in Earth-bound orbit for 16 days after its scheduled launch on September 2, 2023, during which time it performs 5 maneuvers to obtain the necessary velocity for its voyage. 

Aditya-L1 then performs a Trans-Lagrangian 1 insertion maneuver, starting its 110-day journey to the location around the L1 Lagrange point. Once reached the L1 point, another maneuver locks Aditya-L1 into an orbit around L1, which is the point of equilibrium for the Earth's and Sun's gravitational fields. The satellite spends the entirety of its mission life in an erratic orbit around L1 in a plane that is roughly perpendicular to the line connecting the Earth and the Sun.

Aditya-L1 is positioned strategically at the L1 Lagrange point so that it may keep a steady, uninterrupted view of the Sun. The satellite can access solar radiation and magnetic storms from this position without being affected by the magnetic field or atmosphere of Earth. The gravitational stability of the L1 point also reduces the frequency of orbital maintenance activities, increasing the operational effectiveness of the satellite.

Quick Facts: Aditya-L1 will remain 1% of the Earth-Sun distance away from the planet, 1.5 million kilometers, while facing the Sun. Aditya-L1 would investigate the Sun's outer atmosphere because the Sun is a massive sphere of gas. Aditya-L1 won't touch down on the Sun or get any closer to it.