Aditya L1 solar mission has successfully entered its final manoeuvre, positioning itself at the first Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L1). The spacecraft, launched on September 2, 2023, is now set to reach its destination at 4 pm on January 6, according to ISRO chief S Somanath.
Somanath informed the media, stating, “Aditya-L1 is going to reach its L1 point on January 6 at 4 pm, and we are going to do the final manoeuvre to keep it there.” This achievement marks a crucial milestone for ISRO’s maiden solar mission, which aims to observe the Sun’s corona and understand its extreme heat from a halo orbit around L1, approximately 1.5 million km from Earth.
The spacecraft has undergone four successful earth-bound manoeuvres and a Trans-Lagrangean Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) manoeuvre since its launch, showcasing ISRO’s precision in executing complex space missions. The final orbit insertion ensures that the Aditya L1 will be able to observe the sun without any eclipses, providing scientists with uninterrupted and crucial data.
The Lagrange Point, despite not achieving absolute neutralization due to the influence of celestial bodies like the Moon, Mars, and Venus, offers a stable position for observational purposes. The equilibrium of gravitational forces between Earth and the Sun at L1 allows the spacecraft to maintain a strategic vantage point for studying the sun’s corona.
As the Aditya L1 mission progresses, it is expected to provide valuable insights into the mysteries of the Sun’s corona and its extreme heat. The successful navigation to its final orbit marks another triumph for ISRO and its commitment to advancing space exploration capabilities. The scientific community eagerly anticipates the wealth of data that Aditya L1 is poised to deliver from its unique vantage point.
