Tomorrow, the Indian Space Research Organization will launch Aditya-L1 into its final orbit
2 min readWitnessing the grandeur of the “celestial Surya Namaskar”Aditya-L1 performed by the vibrant Indian subcontinent would undoubtedly be a mesmerizing spectacle. Approaching its orbital abode is the Aditya-L1 satellite, poised to assume the pivotal role of India’s primary solar observatory for the next five years. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) anticipates the satellite’s attainment of its designated orbit around 4 p.m. on January 6.
Also Read: WELLHEALTHORGANIC VITAMIN B12
The culmination of its 126-day journey, which commenced on September 2, 2018, has brought the Aditya-L1 satellite to its “karambhoomi” or “land of action.” Covering a circuitous route spanning 3.7 million kilometers, ISRO affirms the satellite’s excellent condition, with the captivating images of the Sun’s disk it transmitted sparking a wave of new scientific revelations.
Aditya-L1 appears to be in a halo-shaped orbit around Earth at a distance of approximately 1.5 million kilometers. Even as it draws closer to Earth’s orbit, the substantial gap of about 150 million kilometers between the two celestial bodies ensures a significant distance from the Sun.
Weighing 1,475 kilograms, the Aditya-L1 spacecraft will scrutinize our solar system from its final position at Lagrangian Point-1, aiming to unravel more mysteries surrounding the enigmatic star at the center.
The Indian solar observatory, with its uninterrupted line of sight to the Sun, is poised to enhance our understanding of space weather. Nigar Shaji, the Project Director of Aditya-L1 at Bengaluru’s U R Rao Satellite Center, underscores the spacecraft’s role in solar storm prediction and warning.
Solar storms, characterized by intense magnetic eruptions on the Sun, pose a threat to every object in our solar system. Aditya-L1’s vigilant monitoring of the Sun enables timely warnings of impending solar electromagnetic impacts, safeguarding electrical and communication networks from interference. With space assets valued at over ₹50,000 crores and comprising more than 50 operational satellites, India is committed to shielding these assets from the Sun’s radiation.
Following the successful soft landing near the Moon’s south pole on September 2, ISRO launched India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Positioned at 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, near the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L1), the Aditya-L1 mission aims to explore the solar wind in situ while conducting remote research on the solar corona.
The threat of solar flares, extreme bursts of radiation, looms over satellite hardware. Engineers, equipped to secure the spacecraft’s electronics, will take preventive measures following the passage of severe solar storms.
Also read: well health tips in hindi wellhealth
Among the cohort of intelligent satellites, Aditya-L1 stands out. According to Professor Somak Raychaudhury from Ashoka University, the solar observatory perpetually keeps watch over our nearest star, serving as an early warning system for potential solar outbursts. Professor Durgesh Tripathi of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune emphasizes that this sophisticated space telescope provides scientists with a unique and invaluable opportunity.