Aditya L1 Successfully Completes 4th Earth-Bound Manoeuvre: A Milestone Achievement by ISRO

In a significant development, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that the Aditya L1 spacecraft has successfully undergone its fourth earth-bound manoeuvre. Aditya L1, India's pioneering space-based mission to study the Sun, is a remarkable endeavor that aims to unravel the mysteries of our nearest star. This latest manoeuvre marks a crucial milestone in the spacecraft's journey towards its final destination, the L1 Lagrange point. Let's delve into the details of this achievement and explore the significance of the Aditya L1 mission.

The Fourth Earth-Bound Manoeuvre

ISRO reported that the fourth earth-bound manoeuvre (EBN#4) was performed successfully during the early hours of Friday. This manoeuvre involved altering the spacecraft's trajectory to increase its velocity, enabling it to proceed on its mission to study the Sun. The ground stations at Mauritius, Bengaluru, SDSC-SHAR, and Port Blair meticulously tracked the satellite's movements during this operation. Additionally, a transportable terminal stationed in the Fiji islands provided vital support for post-burn operations.

The new orbit attained by the Aditya L1 spacecraft is an elliptical path, with dimensions of 256 km x 121,973 km. This elliptical trajectory will allow the spacecraft to gain the necessary velocity for its further journey towards the L1 Lagrange point.

Aditya-L1 Mission:
The second Earth-bound maneuvre (EBN#2) is performed successfully from ISTRAC, Bengaluru.

ISTRAC/ISRO's ground stations at Mauritius, Bengaluru and Port Blair tracked the satellite during this operation.

The new orbit attained is 282 km x 40225 km.

The next… pic.twitter.com/GFdqlbNmWg

— ISRO (@isro) September 4, 2023

Aditya-L1: Unlocking the Secrets of the Sun

Aditya-L1 is India's pioneering space-based observatory designed to study the Sun from a unique perspective. It will be positioned in a halo orbit around the L1 Lagrange point, approximately 1.5 million km away from Earth. This strategic location will provide Aditya-L1 with continuous views of the Sun, free from any eclipses or occultations.

The primary objective of the Aditya-L1 mission is to explore various aspects of the Sun, including its photosphere, chromosphere, and corona. To achieve this, the spacecraft carries seven scientific payloads developed indigenously by ISRO and renowned national research laboratories such as the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA).

The Journey to L1: Earth-Bound Manoeuvres

To reach its destination, the Aditya L1 spacecraft must undergo a series of earth-bound manoeuvres. These manoeuvres are critical for imparting the necessary velocity to the spacecraft. The successful completion of four earth-bound orbital manoeuvres sets the stage for the next phase of the mission – the Trans-Lagrangian1 insertion manoeuvre (TL1I).

Upon completion of the TL1I manoeuvre, Aditya-L1 will embark on a 110-day trajectory towards the L1 Lagrange point. This journey will culminate in the spacecraft's arrival at the L1 point, where it will be bound to an irregularly shaped orbit around L1. This orbit will allow Aditya L1 to continuously observe the Sun and its activities.

Scientific Payloads and Their Objectives

The scientific payloads carried by the Aditya L1 spacecraft have been meticulously designed to study various aspects of the Sun. These payloads will provide invaluable insights into phenomena such as coronal heating, coronal mass ejections, pre-flare and flare activities, space weather dynamics, and the propagation of particles and fields.

The payloads directly observing the Sun will employ electromagnetic particle and magnetic field detectors. These instruments will enable scientists to study the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layers of the Sun, known as the corona. Additionally, three payloads will conduct in-situ studies of particles and fields at the Lagrange point L1, providing crucial scientific data on solar dynamics in the interplanetary medium.

Advantages of the L1 Lagrange Point

The L1 Lagrange point offers several advantages for studying the Sun. Placing a spacecraft in a halo orbit around L1 allows for uninterrupted observations of the Sun, as the gravitational pull of the Earth and the Sun remain in equilibrium. This unique vantage point provides scientists with a continuous stream of real-time data on solar activities, without any interruptions caused by eclipses or occultations.

The Significance of the Aditya L1 Mission

The Aditya L1 mission holds immense significance for India's space exploration endeavors. By studying the Sun, scientists aim to gain a deeper understanding of its influence on space weather and its impact on our planet. The data collected by Aditya-L1 will contribute to improved space weather forecasting, enabling us to mitigate potential hazards posed by solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and other solar phenomena.

Furthermore, the Aditya L1 mission showcases India's expertise in space research and technology. It highlights the country's commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and pushing the boundaries of space exploration. The successful completion of the fourth earth-bound manoeuvre is a testament to the skill and dedication of the ISRO scientists and engineers involved in the mission.

Conclusion

The successful completion of the fourth earth-bound manoeuvre by the Aditya L1 spacecraft marks a significant milestone in India's ambitious mission to study the Sun. This pioneering space-based observatory is poised to unlock the secrets of our nearest star from the vantage point of the L1 Lagrange point. The scientific payloads onboard Aditya-L1 will provide crucial insights into solar activities and their effects on space weather. The Aditya L1 mission stands as a testament to India's prowess in space research and technology and its commitment to expanding our understanding of the universe.