In an eagerly anticipated event, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is on the brink of a historic achievement as it prepares for the final manoeuvres to position the Aditya-L1 spacecraft into a Halo orbit around the L1 point of the Sun-Earth system today, January 6, 2023, at 4 pm.
Expressing his enthusiasm, ISRO Chief S Somanath highlighted the significance of the moment, stating, "Aditya-L1 is set to reach its L1 point on January 6 at 4 pm, and we are gearing up for the final manoeuvre to secure its position there."
Launched on September 2, 2023, the Aditya-L1 mission has successfully undergone four earth-bound maneuvers and a Trans-Lagrangean Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) maneuver. The spacecraft, now approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, is poised for its ultimate journey.
The upcoming manoeuvre is of paramount importance as it will place the spacecraft in a halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system. This orbit, situated at a distance of about 1.5 million km from Earth, provides an unobstructed view of the Sun, free from eclipses.
The Lagrange Point, where gravitational forces between the Earth and the Sun balance, offers an ideal position for observations. Despite some interference from celestial bodies like the Moon, Mars, and Venus, the L1 point remains stable enough for scientific endeavours.
The Aditya-L1 mission is poised to observe the Sun's corona, unravelling the mysteries of its extreme heat. The spacecraft's unique vantage point at the Sun-Earth L1 point will offer unprecedented insights into solar phenomena.
As ISRO gears up for this crucial manoeuvre, the Aditya-L1 mission signifies a remarkable stride in India's space exploration efforts. The successful placement of the spacecraft into its final orbit will mark a historic achievement, opening the doors to groundbreaking observations and discoveries in solar science.