The Aditya-L1 spacecraft, India’s first solar mission, performed a 16-second trajectory correction maneuver (TCM), according to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). This maneuver followed the Trans-Lagrangean Point 1 Insertion (TLII) maneuver performed on September 19, which required trajectory adjustments.
The TCM was crucial to ensure that Aditya-L1 stays on course for its intended destination—a Halo orbit insertion around L1. ISRO confirmed the spacecraft’s health and continued progress towards its destination.
During its journey, Aditya-L1 has undergone four earth-bound maneuvers and the successful TLII maneuver, breaking free from Earth’s gravitational influence. Additionally, it has started collecting scientific data, particularly from the STEPS (Supra Thermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer) instrument, measuring supra-thermal and energetic ions and electrons over 50,000 km from Earth. This data is invaluable for analyzing particle behavior around Earth.
Aditya-L1’s mission began after the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the Moon’s South pole. Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on September 2, it carries seven payloads for an in-depth study of the Sun. Four payloads will observe solar light, while the other three will measure plasma and magnetic fields in-situ.
The spacecraft will be placed in a halo orbit around Lagrangian Point 1 (L1), located 1.5 million km from Earth in the direction of the Sun, a journey expected to take four months. Positioned at about 1% of the Earth-Sun distance, Aditya-L1 will study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, a vital scientific endeavor.
Its strategic location at L1 will allow continuous solar observation without interruptions from eclipses or occultation, facilitating real-time study of solar activities and their impact on space weather. Aditya-L1’s data will aid in understanding the sequence of events leading to solar eruptions and contribute to a deeper comprehension of space weather drivers.
(Inputs from ANI)