Aditya-L1’s SUIT and VELC instruments capture the dynamic activities of the Sun and earlier released their photos. (Images: @isro/X)
India’s first-ever solar observatory, Aditya-L1, completes its first orbit around the Lagrange Point (L1) in the Sun-Earth system after launching on September 2.
India’s Aditya-L1 solar observatory finishes its first orbit around the Lagrange Point (L1) 1.5 million km away from Earth after precise manoeuvres by ISRO.
The spacecraft, launched in September, is on a mission to study the Sun and will take 178 days to complete one revolution around the L1 point.
Aditya-L1 must undergo periodic manoeuvres to stay in its intended orbit due to disturbances encountered during travel.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
ISRO’s successful execution of manoeuvres ensures Aditya-L1 remains on its trajectory in a complex solar dynamics study.
Understanding perturbing forces acting on the spacecraft and accurate orbit planning are crucial for the mission’s success.
Aditya-L1’s successful orbit maintenance guarantees an unobstructed view of the Sun for five years, aided by the balance of gravitational and centrifugal forces at the L1 point.
SEVEN PAYLOADS: MISSION STUDYING THE SUN
Aditya-L1 carries scientific payloads to explore solar phenomena like solar storms, space weather impacts, and temperature variations.
Recent captures by Aditya-L1’s payloads show solar flares and Coronal Mass Ejections affecting Earth’s geomagnetic activity.