Aditya-L1: India’s first solar mission takes off
The spacecraft, after travelling about 1.5 million km from the Earth over 125 days, is expected to be placed in a Halo orbit around the Lagrangian point L1
ISRO on Saturday launched the country's ambitious Solar mission, Aditya L1, eyeing history again after its successful lunar expedition, Chandrayan-3 a few days ago. As the 23.40-hour countdown concluded, the 44.4-meter-tall Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) soared majestically at the prefixed time of 11.50 am from this spaceport, located on the Eastern coast about 135 km from Chennai.
PM says efforts will continue
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation and its scientists on the successful launch of the country's first solar mission. "Our tireless scientific efforts will continue in order to develop better understanding of the universe for the welfare of entire humanity," he said on 'X'.
Live Updates
- 2 Sept 2023 1:22 PM IST
Congress says it is "proud of ISRO"
The Congress hailed the launch of Aditya-L1 as a "stupendous achievement" for India, as it shared a timeline of the mission from its conceptualisation for understanding of the "continuity in the ISRO saga".
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Today's launch of Aditya-L1 is another stupendous achievement of ISRO and for India!" "While saluting ISRO once again, it is worthwhile recalling the recent timeline for Aditya-L1 to understand the continuity in the ISRO saga," he said.Ramesh stated that in 2006 scientists with the Astronomical Society of India and the Indian Academy of Sciences proposed the concept of a solar observatory with a single instrument. In March 2008, scientists shared the proposal with ISRO, he said."December 2009: ISRO approves Aditya-1 project with a single instrument. April 2013: After former Chairman U. R. Rao's major intervention ISRO issues an 'announcement of opportunity', calling on the scientific community for proposals for more scientific instruments (payloads)," Ramesh pointed out.In June 2013, ISRO reviewed scientific proposals received, he said. "July 2013: ISRO selects the seven payloads for the Aditya-1 mission, now renamed the Aditya-L1 mission. November 2015: ISRO formally approves Aditya-L1," he said.In a post in Hindi on X, the Congress said ISRO has given many opportunities to the country to be proud. "After Chandrayaan-3, ISRO has again raised the nation's prestige by successfully launching Aditya L-1," the party said.The entire Congress family is proud of this unprecedented achievement of the country's scientists, it said. Best wishes to the entire ISRO team, the party added. - 2 Sept 2023 1:12 PM IST
PM Modi tweets
What PM Modi tweeted
After the success of Chandrayaan-3, India continues its space journey.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 2, 2023
Congratulations to our scientists and engineers at @isro for the successful launch of India’s first Solar Mission, Aditya -L1.
Our tireless scientific efforts will continue in order to develop better… - 2 Sept 2023 12:58 PM IST
What the mission means for India
What the mission means for India
Principal Scientist of Aditya-L1 mission Dr Sankarasubramanian K says, "Both solar heliophysics and astronomy thrive on data. The sun is our own star and understanding it is much more important for our everyday life... So the seven payloads that were conceived for this mission will provide a unique set of data which is currently not available from any other missions..."Courtesy: ANI - 2 Sept 2023 12:50 PM IST
When will Aditya L1 reach/land?
Aditya L1 is expected to reach its L1 point in the orbit around Sun in 126 days, but ISRO says there is no clarity yet - 2 Sept 2023 12:23 PM IST
ISRO's latest update
ISRO's latest update
The third stage of the PSLV rocket has separated from the rocket, reaching PS4 coasting phase
- 2 Sept 2023 12:06 PM IST
What ISRO scientiists say
After the lift-off at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, the scientists will start placing the spacecraft at Low Earth Orbit initially, and later it will be more elliptical.
According to scientists, there are five Lagrangian points (or parking areas) between the Earth and the Sun where a small object tends to stay if put there. The Lagrange Points are named after Italian-French mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange for his prize-winning paper -- "Essai sur le Problème des Trois Corps, 1772." These points in space can be used by spacecraft to remain there with reduced fuel consumption.
At a Lagrange point, the gravitational pull of the two large bodies (the Sun and the Earth) equals the necessary centripetal force required for a small object to move with them.
The spacecraft would be launched towards the Lagrange L1 point using on-board propulsion so that it exits the earth's gravitational Sphere of Influence and cruises towards the L1. Later, it would be injected into a large Halo Orbit around L1 point near the Sun.
The total time from launch to reaching the L1 point would be about four months for the Aditya-L1 Mission, ISRO said.
- 2 Sept 2023 11:09 AM IST
10 things to know about Aditya L1 Solar mission
A ready-recokoner for you.10 things to know about Aditya L1 Solar mission
10 things to know about Aditya L1 Solar mission
- 2 Sept 2023 10:39 AM IST
Aditya L-1 trajectory to L-1
Aditya L-1 trajectory to L-1
Graphic courtesy: ISRO
