Overview
The Aditya-L1 solar mission, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is anticipated to achieve orbit around Lagrangian point L1 on January 7th, 2024, according to S. Somanath, ISRO’s chairman. This significant update was shared during an announcement in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
The ISRO chief conveyed to PTI, on the sidelines of an event at VSSC commemorating the 60th year of the First Sounding Rocket Launch, that Aditya is en route and has essentially entered its concluding phase.
“Aditya is on the way. I think it has reached almost its final phase,” the ISRO chief said.
He also stated that the final preparations for the spacecraft’s entry into the L1 point are in progress incrementally. He added, “Possibly by January 7th, the concluding manoeuvres will be done for entering into the L1 point.”
Aditya L1-India’s First Mission to the Sun
Aditya-L1, a dedicated satellite for the comprehensive study of the Sun, boasts seven distinct payloads, all developed domestically. Five of these are products of ISRO’s ingenuity, while two have been collaborated with Indian academic institutes.
The name Aditya, derived from Sanskrit, translates to the Sun.
The suffix “L1” specifies Lagrange Point 1 within the Sun-Earth system. Conceptually, L1 represents a spatial location where the gravitational forces of celestial bodies, like the Sun and Earth, achieve equilibrium.
When placed there, this unique positioning allows an object to maintain relative stability with respect to both celestial bodies.
Launched on September 2nd, 2023, Aditya-L1 will initially reside in Earth-bound orbits for 16 days. It undergoes five manoeuvres during this period to attain the necessary velocity for its subsequent journey. The satellite then will embark on a Trans-Lagrangian insertion manoeuvre, commencing its 110-day trajectory toward the L1 Lagrange point.
Upon reaching L1, another manoeuvre secures Aditya-L1 in orbit around this gravitational equilibrium point between Earth and the Sun. The satellite orbits L1 in an irregularly shaped trajectory perpendicular to the Earth-Sun line throughout its mission life.
Aditya-L1 orbits approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, directed toward the Sun, representing about 1% of the Earth-Sun distance. The satellite, designed to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, will not land on or approach the Sun any closer.
The strategic placement at the L1 Lagrange point enables Aditya-L1 to maintain a constant, uninterrupted view of the Sun. This positioning also grants the satellite early access to solar radiation and magnetic storms, free from Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere influence. The gravitational stability at L1 minimises the need for frequent orbital maintenance, optimising operational efficiency.
G-X Mission 2024
The inaugural G-X mission is anticipated to take place in the first half of 2024, according to ISRO. This uncrewed orbital demonstration flight is scheduled ahead of the Gaganyaan human-crewed mission.
Notably, the mission is expected to feature ‘Vyommitra,’ the humanoid crafted by the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), as revealed by Mr Somanath.
The cryogenic stage for the LVM3 launch vehicle, designated for this mission, is set to be prepared by December of this year. ISRO is making significant strides, aiming for an end-to-end realisation of the first Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) flight by the industry in October 2024.
The HAL-L&T consortium, responsible for the project, is currently constructing the rocket, as confirmed by Mr Somanath.
Comments 3