The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently reported that India’s solar mission, Aditya L1, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing its fourth Earth-bound maneuver (EBN#4). This maneuver brings the mission one step closer to reaching its intended destination.
Earth-bound Maneuvers: A Step Toward the Sun
Aditya L1 is India’s pioneering space-based mission dedicated to studying the Sun. On Thursday, ISRO announced the successful completion of EBN#4, marking another achievement in this groundbreaking mission. Multiple ground stations, including those in Mauritius, Bengaluru, SDSC-SHAR, and Port Blair, tracked the satellite during this operation.
Aditya-L1 Mission:
— ISRO (@isro) September 14, 2023
The fourth Earth-bound maneuvre (EBN#4) is performed successfully.
ISRO's ground stations at Mauritius, Bengaluru, SDSC-SHAR and Port Blair tracked the satellite during this operation, while a transportable terminal currently stationed in the Fiji islands for… pic.twitter.com/cPfsF5GIk5
As a result of EBN#4, Aditya L1 has reached a new orbit at approximately 256 km x 121973 km. This maneuver is a critical part of the mission’s journey to achieve the necessary speed for reaching its final destination, the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1).
Next Course of Action for Aditya L1
The upcoming Trans-Lagrangean Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) maneuver is slated for approximately 2 am on September 19. This phase represents a pivotal step as it signifies the spacecraft’s departure from Earth. Aditya L1 embarked on its mission on September 2 and is set to undergo a total of five orbit-raising maneuvers to attain the required velocity to reach L1.
The mission for Aditya L1 is one of its kind i.e. to study the Sun from a halo orbit which is positioned around the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point L1. The point is located 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.
Also, the spacecraft is to be maintaining a fixed position relative to the sun. This is to get uninterrupted observations of the solar atmosphere. The L1 point leverages the significance where the gravitational forces of Earth & Sun cancel each other.
Aditya L1 Sucess: What it mean for India?
The mission holds great promise for advancing our understanding of the Sun’s physics, solar magnetic storms, and their impacts on Earth. Continuous and unobstructed observations of the solar atmosphere from the vantage point of Aditya L1 are expected to yield valuable insights into these areas.
As the mission progresses, scientists and researchers anticipate groundbreaking discoveries that will contribute to our knowledge of the Sun and its influence on our planet. Aditya L1 represents a significant stride in India’s space exploration endeavors and solar research initiatives.
In summary, Aditya L1’s successful Earth-bound maneuvers bring India closer to its pioneering mission of studying the Sun from the unique vantage point of the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1. This mission holds the potential to enhance our understanding of the solar atmosphere and its interactions with Earth, marking a significant achievement in India’s space exploration efforts.
