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Introduction
1.0 What is the full name of Aditya-L1?
Aditya-L1 (/ɑːd̪it̪jə/) (from Sanskrit: aditya, “sun” and L1, “Lagrange 1 point”) is a coronagraphy spacecraft to study the solar atmosphere, designed and developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and various others.
1.1 Is Aditya-L1 the first solar mission?
This is the first Indian mission dedicated to observing the Sun. The project director is Nigar Saji. Aditya-L1 was launched at 11:50 IST on PSLV C57 on 2 September 2023, ten days after the successful landing of ISRO’s Moon mission, Chandrayaan-3.
1.2 When Aditya-L1 will reach Sun orbit?
The spacecraft Aditya-L1 is expected to reach its sun orbit destination about four months after launch. ISRO said that if all goes well, the space agency is targeting January 6, 2024, when Aditya L1 will be placed in a halo orbit around Earth in Lagrange.
1.3 What is the history of Aditya-L1?
Aditya-L1 was launched on September 2 by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. After launch, ISTRC conducted four Earth-bound maneuvers between September 3 and September 15.
1.4 What is the primary objective of the Aditya-L1 mission?
The primary objective of the Aditya L1 mission is The Aditya L1 payloads are expected to provide the most important information for our knowledge of the Sun and how Its radiation, particle flux, heat, and magnetic field affect us.
About Aditya-L1
Aditya L1 mission is the first space-based observatory-class solar mission to study the Sun. The spacecraft is planned to be placed in a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth system’s Lagrangian point 1 (L1), which is about 1.5 million km from Earth. A satellite placed in a halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of seeing the Sun continuously without any occultation/eclipse. This will provide a greater facility to continuously monitor solar activity. The spacecraft carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere and outer layer (corona) of the Sun using electromagnetic and particle detectors. Using L1’s vantage point, four payloads about Aditya-L1 observe the Sun directly, and the remaining three payloads perform in-situ studies of particles and fields at the Lagrange point L1. The Aditya L1 payload suite is expected to provide the most important information for understanding coronal heating, coronal mass ejection, pre-flare and flare activity and their characteristics, space weather dynamics, particle propagation studies and field problems. In interplanetary medium etc.
Aditya L1's High-Energy Capture
Aditya L1 captures the first high-energy burst from the Sun
The High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS), one of the seven payloads on board the Aditya-L1 spacecraft, successfully recorded the inductive phase of the solar flare during its first observation period on October 29, 2023.
A solar flare is a sudden and intense burst of energy and radiation, primarily in the form of X-rays and ultraviolet (UV) light, originating from the Sun’s surface and outer atmosphere. the release of magnetic energy stored in the Sun’s atmosphere Solar flares are caused by.
Advancing Solar Research
Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota on September 2, 2023, the Aditya-L1 mission aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Sun’s dynamics and its impact on Earth’s climate. The HEL1OS instrument, developed by the Space Astronomy Group at the UR Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO, Bengaluru, is designed to monitor high-energy X-ray activity from the Sun.During its first observing period, which lasted about ten hours, HEL1OS captured data consistent with X-ray light curves provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (NOAA’s GOES). This achievement marks a significant step forward in India’s ability to study explosive energy release and electron acceleration during the induction phases of solar flares.Launched on October 27, 2023, HEL1OS is currently undergoing fine-tuning of threshold and calibration operations. Once fully operational, it will provide researchers with invaluable insights into the generation and evolution of solar flares for our understanding of the Sun’s complex processes.
India's Space Exploration
The Aditya-L1 mission is a testament to India’s growing prowess in space exploration. It is the country’s first space-based observatory-class solar mission, with all seven payloads being indigenously developed. The mission also highlights the collaborative efforts of ISRO and various Indian academic institutes to advance our knowledge of the Sun and its effects on Earth.
Future Contributions
As the mission continues, the scientific community eagerly awaits more data from HEL1OS and other payloads on board Aditya-L1. These findings will not only improve our understanding of the Sun but also help predict geomagnetic storms and understand space weather dynamics, ultimately contributing to the safety and efficiency of space travel and satellite operations.
