ISRO Aditya L1 Mission
Article by Mr Ankit Kumar
Aitya L1 space observatory is going to be India’s first mission to study the Sun and its corona. Diagnostics of Corona and Coronal structures and the magnetic field measurements are the main science goals of the mission. The mode in which this mission is aimed to be conducted will be a 1st not only in India but for the whole world.
The Aditya L1 Mission, a spacecraft mission being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to study the Sun and its effects on the Earth is slated to be launched in the latter half of 2023. It will be placed in a unique orbit called Lagrange point 1 (L1), which is a location 1.5 million km from the Earth towards the Sun.
Along with ISRO and its allied agencies, some other important agencies involved in the project are Brahmos Aerospace, Shiva Creations, Silvergrey Engineers, Bit Tul Pvt. Ltd from various locations across India.
The mode in which this mission is aimed to be conducted will be a 1st not only in India but for the whole world
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the mission is to carry out comprehensive studies of the Sun, its corona and other associated phenomena such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and interplanetary shocks. The Sun is the most important object in our solar system, and it has a profound impact on the Earth and the entire universe. The Sun’s energy drives the Earth’s weather, climate, and communication systems, and it is also responsible for the creation and maintenance of the Earth’s magnetic field. The Aditya L1 mission will provide valuable information about the Sun, its behaviour, and its impact on the Earth, which will be of immense scientific value. The mission will help us understand the Sun’s energy output, magnetic field and its influence on the Earth and its environment.
The Sun is the most important object in our solar system, and it has a profound impact on the Earth and the entire universe
INSTRUMENTS
Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC)
One of the primary instruments on the Aditya L1 satellite will be a coronagraph, which will capture images of the corona and study its temperature, density and magnetic field. The mission will also study the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that are associated with solar flares and have significant impacts on the Earth’s space environment. The CMEs can cause geomagnetic storms and auroras, which can disrupt communication systems, power grids, and navigation systems on Earth. Understanding the formation, acceleration and propagation of CMEs will provide important insights into their impact on the Earth. This instrument was handed over to ISRO on 26th January, 2023.
Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)
SUIT will observe the Sun between 200-400 nm wavelength range and it will provide full disk images of different layers of the solar atmosphere by making use of 11 filters. The Sun has never been observed from space in this wavelength range. The spacecraft being at the first Lagrange point, SUIT shall be observing the Sun continuously without interruption.
Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX)
To study the variation and properties of the solar wind as well as its distribution and spectral characteristics.
Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA)
To understand the composition of solar wind and its energy distribution.
Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS)
To monitor the X-ray flares for studying the enigmatic coronal heating mechanism of the solar corona.
High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS)
To observe the dynamic events in the solar corona and provide an estimate of the energy used to accelerate the solar energetic particles during the eruptive events.
Magnetometer
Another key instrument on Aditya L1 is a magnetometer, which will measure the magnetic field in the interplanetary medium. This will be useful in understanding the impact of the Sun’s magnetic field on the Earth’s environment, as well as the dynamics of the solar wind and other plasma phenomena. The mission will also study the solar radiation and its effects on the Earth’s atmosphere, and this will provide valuable information for predicting the space weather conditions and mitigating their impacts on the Earth.
INDIA’S STRIVE AT SPACE RESEARCH
The Aditya L1 mission will provide an unprecedented opportunity for scientists to study the Sun and its effects on the Earth. The data gathered from the mission will be used for a variety of scientific and technological applications, including space weather forecasting, prediction of auroral activity, and the study of the Earth’s environment. The mission will also provide valuable data for the design and testing of new space technologies and the development of new space applications.
The Aditya L1 mission is a major milestone for the ISRO and a significant step in the country’s space exploration efforts. It represents a new level of collaboration between India and other spacefaring nations, and will be an important part of the global effort to study the Sun and its effects on the Earth. The mission will demonstrate India’s technological capabilities and its ability to conduct complex space missions, and it will provide valuable experience and expertise that can be applied to future missions.
The Aditya L1 Mission is an important and exciting project that will have a significant impact on our understanding of the Sun and its effects on the Earth. The mission will provide valuable data for scientists and will help us better understand the dynamics of the solar system and its impact on the Earth. It is a major milestone for the ISRO and a testament to India’s growing capabilities in space exploration. As of July 2019, the mission has an allocated cost of ₹378.53 crore rupees excluding launch costs. The ISRO is also considering to set up a temporary tracking station in Fiji Islands specifically to support India’s 1st mission to send a space observatory to study the sun.
The Aditya L1 mission is a major milestone for the ISRO and a significant step in the country’s space exploration efforts
