Progressing steadily toward the L1 point, situated an astonishing 1.5 million kilometers distant from Earth, Aditya-L1 secures an unobstructed position to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere without any interference from eclipses or external disruptions.
Somanath unveiled this highly anticipated development during the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan in Ahmedabad, affirming, “Aditya-L1 is anticipated to enter the L1 point on January 6. The exact timing will be divulged at an appropriate juncture.”
Explaining the spacecraft’s actions upon reaching the L1 point, Somanath highlighted the critical need for an engine firing to ensure stability and prevent any further drifting. “Upon reaching the L1 point, we’ll activate the engine to stabilize its position. It will then orbit the point, maintaining a fixed position at L1,” he explicated.
Embarking on its solar mission from the Sriharikota spaceport on September 2, Aditya-L1 carries an ensemble of seven key scientific instruments. Once stationed at the L1 point, it will serve as a crucial tool to analyze various solar events before their interaction with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere.
Aditya-L1’s primary objectives encompass the exploration of solar upper atmospheric dynamics, chromospheric and coronal heating, the physics of partially-ionized plasma, as well as the initiation of coronal mass ejections and flares. Furthermore, it aims to study in-situ particle and plasma environments, delivering pivotal insights into particle dynamics, magnetic field topology, and measurements within the solar corona.Looking forward, Somanath hinted at India’s ambitious aspirations in space exploration, hinting at the prospect of an Indian space station. He revealed, “Isro is in the preliminary phases of developing an Indian space station, tentatively named ‘Bharatiya Space Station’.”