ISRO’s Ambitious Aditya L1 Mission: Setting Sights Beyond the Moon to Study the Sun

NEW DELHI: In a monumental stride, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is shifting its gaze from the Moon to the Sun. The space behemoth is gearing up for the launch of the Aditya L1 mission in a mere two weeks.

ISRO’s chairman, S Somanath, revealed that the Aditya L1 mission is progressing smoothly and is slated for launch in the first week of September. This mission is not just another feather in ISRO’s cap; it represents India’s inaugural space-based endeavour to study our solar system’s central star.

The spacecraft’s destination is the halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system.

• Embarking on a 127-day-long voyage, the spacecraft will traverse a staggering distance of nearly 15 lakh km from Earth.
• The unique positioning at the halo orbit ensures an uninterrupted view of the Sun, devoid of any occultations or eclipses.
• This vantage point offers real-time observations of solar activities and their subsequent effects on space weather.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) XL rocket will propel Aditya L1 into space. Somanath disclosed, “The spacecraft will carry seven payloads.”

• These scientific instruments are designed to observe various layers of the Sun, from the photosphere and chromosphere to the corona, using electromagnetic, particle, and magnetic field detectors.
• Four of these payloads will have a direct view of the Sun, while the remaining three will conduct in-situ studies at the L1 point.
• This comprehensive approach aims to delve deep into the intricacies of solar dynamics and their propagation in the interplanetary medium.

The mission’s primary objective is to station Aditya-L1 in a highly elliptical orbit, facilitating close observations of the Sun. This includes monitoring solar activities and enhancing our understanding of the life-sustaining star.

However, the mission is not without its challenges. The Sun’s vast distance from Earth (approximately 15 crore km) poses significant risks. Unlike previous ISRO missions with stationary payloads, Aditya L1 will have moving components, increasing collision risks. The intense temperatures and radiation in the solar atmosphere further complicate the mission.

• Currently, the L1 point hosts the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Satellite SOHO from NASA, the US’s space organization.