MISSION ADITYA
ADITYA L1
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) released images of the Aditya-L1 mission — the space agency’s first attempt to study the Sun. Although the launch date of the mission has not been announced, the satellite has reached the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, for its integration with the launch vehicle, PSLV
Image Source: URSC
About Aditya L1
- Aditya L1 shall be the first space-based Indian mission to study the Sun.
- The spacecraft shall be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system at a distance of about 1.5 million km from the Earth.
- A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses.
- As the spacecraft will be directly placed in between the Sun and the earth, It will also provide crucial information in understanding the impact of solar activities on near-Earth space weather.
Objectives
- Understanding Coronal Heating and Solar Wind Acceleration.
- Understanding initiation of Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), flares and near-earth space weather.
- Coupling and Dynamics of the Solar Atmosphere.
- Solar wind distribution and temperature anisotropy.
Uniqueness
- First time spatially resolved solar disk in the NUV band.
- CME dynamics close to the disk ( ̴1.05 Run) and thereby providing information on the acceleration regime of CME which is not observed consistently.
- On-board intelligence to detect CMEs and Flares for optimized observations and data volume.
Importance of studying the sun
- Every planet, including Earth and the exoplanets beyond the Solar System, evolves and this evolution is governed by its parent star.
- The solar weather and environment, which is determined by the processes taking place inside and around the sun, affect the weather of the entire system.
- Variations in this weather can change the orbits of satellites or shorten their lives, interfere with or damage onboard electronics, and cause power blackouts and other disturbances on Earth.
- Knowledge of solar events is key to understanding space weather.
Importance for India
- Alongside another mission to the Moon, being planned for next year, and the first human space flight scheduled for 2022, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also preparing to send its first scientific expedition to study the Sun.
- Named Aditya-L1, the mission, expected to be launched early next year, will observe the Sun from a close distance, and try to obtain information about its atmosphere and magnetic field.
About Lagrange Point
- In simple words, the Lagrange point is an orbit type in the space between 2 bodies like the Sun and Earth, where the gravitational force of both the planets is balanced.
- And anything at these points is in a state of equilibrium.
- And for this reason, if you place any satellite or spacecraft at these points, you need very little fuel consumption to move this because the body is free from any repulsion and attraction force.
- That’s why you can also call it parking points of space.
Lagrange points of Earth and Sun:
|
Lagrange Points |
Distance from the Earth |
Stability |
Specifications |
|
L1 |
1.5 million km |
Unstable |
This Offers uninterrupted views of the Sun. |
|
L2 |
1.5 million km |
Unstable |
The ideal location to study deep space. |
|
L3 |
301.4 million km |
Unstable |
This is the Farthest lagrange point from the earth. |
|
L4 |
— |
Stable |
60° ahead of earth, Where earth was 2 months ago |
|
L5 |
— |
Stable |
60° behind of earth, Where earth will being 2 months time |
|
MCQs on Aditya Mission
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Previous Year Questions
1. Aditya L1 is a ----- (ISRO IPCR Assistant Mechanical 2016)
A. Long-range Missile
B. Spacecraft Project
C. Rocket to the moon
D.Light Combat Aircraft
Answer (B)
|
What is the Aditya Mission?
The Aditya Mission is an Indian space mission dedicated to studying the Sun. Its primary focus is to explore the Sun's outermost layer, the corona, and understand the Sun's atmosphere, magnetic fields, and solar activities.
2. Which organization is responsible for the Aditya Mission?
The Aditya Mission is led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
3. What are the objectives of the Aditya Mission?
The main objectives include:
- Studying the Sun's outer layer, especially the corona, and its dynamics.
- Investigating the magnetic fields and their influence on solar storms and space weather.
- Understanding solar phenomena like solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and their impact on Earth's space environment.
4. What is the Aditya-L1 mission's spacecraft?
Aditya-L1 is the name of the satellite designed for the mission. It will be placed in a halo orbit around the first Lagrangian point (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which provides a stable platform to continuously observe the Sun without being affected by the Earth's shadow.
5. What instruments will be onboard the Aditya-L1 spacecraft?
The satellite will carry several instruments, including:
- Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC)
- Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT)
- Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)
- Magnetometer, etc.
6. What is the significance of the Aditya Mission?
The mission aims to advance our understanding of the Sun, its magnetic field, solar activities, and their influence on space weather. It will provide crucial data for space weather prediction, which is essential for satellite communication, navigation systems, and other space-based technologies.
7. How does the Aditya Mission contribute to scientific research?
By studying the Sun's corona, magnetic fields, and solar activities, the mission contributes to fundamental research on the Sun-Earth connection, solar dynamics, and phenomena that impact space weather. It aids in understanding solar storms' effects on technology and infrastructure on Earth and in space.
8. When is the Aditya-L1 mission expected to be launched?
The Aditya-L1 mission was initially planned for launch in 2020 but faced delays. The revised timeline suggested a launch around 2022-2023, subject to mission readiness and launch schedules.
9. How does the Aditya Mission complement other solar missions globally?
The Aditya Mission aligns with other global solar missions, such as NASA's Parker Solar Probe and the ESA's Solar Orbiter, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the Sun from different vantage points and with various instruments.
10. What impact does the Aditya Mission have on space exploration and understanding the universe?
The mission expands our knowledge of the Sun's behavior, aiding in predicting and mitigating space weather effects on Earth and space missions. It also enhances our understanding of stars, their evolution, and the broader field of astrophysics
