Aditya-L1 Space Observatory: Studying the Sun from Space

Tags: Science and Technology

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is set to launch Aditya-L1, India's first space-based observatory designed to study the Sun.

An Overview of the News

• The launch is scheduled for 2 September 2023 at 11:50 a.m. from the Sriharikota Space Station in Andhra Pradesh.

• ISRO will use the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C57 (PSLV-C57) for the Aditya L1 mission.

• The satellite will be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point L1 within the Sun-Earth system, which is located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.

• The journey to reach the Lagrange point is estimated to take about four months.

• A major advantage of this halo orbit around the L1 point is that it provides an unobstructed view of solar activity, without interference from astronomical events such as eclipses.

Objectives and Scope of Aditya L1 Mission

• After the success of Chandrayaan 3, ISRO has launched the ambitious Aditya L1 mission.

• The primary objective of the Aditya L1 mission is to conduct a comprehensive study of the solar wind and the Sun's atmosphere.

• The satellite will carry seven different payloads aimed at observing different layers of the Sun, including the photosphere, chromosphere, and outermost corona.

• The mission aims to enhance our understanding of several solar phenomena, such as coronal heating, coronal mass ejection (CME), pre-flare and flare activities, as well as the dynamics of solar weather.

• Additionally, the mission will contribute to the investigation of particle and field propagation within the interplanetary medium.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO):

• It was established on 15 August 1969.

• It is the national space agency of India. It launched its space rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

• Headquarters - Bengaluru

• Chairman - S Somnath