The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch the Aditya-L1 mission on September 2 from Sriharikota. This mission aims to study the Sun from space.
Aditya-L1 will be India's inaugural space-based observatory to study the Sun. Its focus will be on learning more about our nearest star.
The spacecraft will be positioned in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth systems. This point is approximately 1.5 million km away from Earth.
Being in a halo orbit around L1 offers an advantage. It enables continuous observation of the Sun, free from obstructions like eclipses, which is crucial for real-time study of solar activities and space weather.
Aditya-L1 carries seven scientific instruments known as payloads. These tools will observe different layers of the Sun using electromagnetic and particle detectors, aiding in understanding solar phenomena.
Some of the payloads will engage in in-situ studies at the Lagrange point L1. These studies provide insights into the interaction of particles and fields in this unique space environment.
Aditya-L1's instruments will gather essential data on coronal heating, coronal mass ejections, flare activities, and the behaviour of space weather, contributing to a better understanding of these phenomena.
Continuous observations from Aditya-L1 will aid in tracking and predicting Earth-directed solar storms.
The mission's primary science goals include exploring the solar upper atmosphere, studying coronal heating, mapping magnetic fields in the solar corona, and more.
Aditya-L1 seeks to unravel mysteries about our Sun's behaviour and its effects on our solar system.