Weeks after it landed the Chandrayaan-3 mission on the Moon, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is aiming for the Sun.
The ambitious Aditya L1 spacecraft is all set to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Saturday as the clock continues to tick back.
The Aditya L1 mission will launch aboard India’s workhorse rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, that aims to put it in an elliptical orbit around Earth before it begins its journey to the Lagrangian Point 1, a.k.a L1, nearly 15 lakh kilometers away from Earth.
India’s Aditya-L1 is poised to make history as the nation’s maiden space-based observatory-class solar mission, dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of our nearest star, the Sun.
To fulfill its scientific objectives, the spacecraft is equipped with seven cutting-edge payloads, meticulously designed to scrutinize various facets of the Sun.
These payloads encompass an array of electromagnetic and particle detectors, which will scrutinize the Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layer—the enigmatic corona.
While four of the payloads will provide direct, unobstructed observations of our Sun, the remaining three payloads are engineered to engage in in-situ studies of particles and fields, all from the advantageous perspective of L1.
WHY THE SUN?
In the realm of celestial objects, the Sun holds a unique position as the closest star to our planet. Its proximity allows for in-depth exploration, revealing insights not only about our own star but also shedding light on distant stars within our Milky Way and across galaxies.
A dynamic celestial body, the Sun’s influence extends far beyond its familiar appearance. It exhibits eruptive phenomena, releasing vast amounts of energy into the solar system. However, such solar outbursts, if aimed at Earth, can disrupt our near-Earth space environment, impacting spacecraft and communication systems. Timely warnings become crucial to mitigate these disturbances.
Furthermore, for astronauts venturing beyond Earth’s protective shield, exposure to solar explosions poses a serious threat. The Sun’s extreme thermal and magnetic behaviors serve as a natural laboratory, offering invaluable lessons that are impossible to replicate in controlled lab settings. Studying our nearest star, the Sun, is not just a scientific pursuit, it’s a necessity.
WHY IS IT GOING TO L1?
Nearly 15 lakh kilometers away from Earth, Lagrange Point 1 offers an unobstructed view of the Sun, giving a constant opportunity for Aditya L1 to look out at its target.
It is a point of gravitational equilibrium in the Sun-Earth system. At this location, the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth balance with the necessary centripetal force for a spacecraft to remain in a fixed position. This stable balance allows spacecraft to hover near L1 with minimal energy expenditure.
Because L1 offers a continuous view of the Sun, it is an ideal vantage point for monitoring solar activity and space weather. Solar missions at L1 can provide early warnings of solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and other solar events that can impact Earth’s technology and space environment.
As India preps for the countdown clock to hit zero, all eyes will be towards Sriharikota as Isro begins unveiling the secrets of the lone star in our Solar System.