Aditya-L1 Launch: ISRO chief S Somnath rocket, satellite ready’ for launch; Countdown begins

Aditya-L1 launch: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to blast a probe even deeper into space to study the sun. ISRO has scheduled the launch of  the Aditya-L1 on September 2.  Aditya L1 is the first Indian space mission to study the sun.

On Thursday, ISRO chairman S Somanath said the space agency was getting ready for the launch and that the countdown for its launch will start on Friday.

Aditya-L1 mission launch date and time

ISRO has scheduled India’s first solar mission is on September 2 at 11.50am from the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh.

Aditya-L1 mission purpose

ISRO has designed Aditya-L1 spacecraft to provide remote observations of the solar corona. The mission will also note situ observations of the solar wind at L1 (Sun-Earth Lagrangian point), which is about 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth. Notably, Aditya-L1 is a fully indigenous effort with the participation of national institutions.

It is the first dedicated Indian space mission for observations of the Sun.

“We are just getting ready for the launch. The rocket and satellite are ready. We completed the rehearsal for the launch. So tomorrow, we have to start the countdown for the day after tomorrow’s launch,” Somanath told reporters.

 

Where will Aditya-L1 Park?

ISRO plans to place Aditya-L1 in an orbit around the L1 of the Sun-Earth system. At this location the gravitational effects of both bodies cancel each other out. That “parking lot” in space allows objects to stay at the same place. This location balances gravitational forces and reduces fuel consumption by the spacecraft.

Cost of the mission

In 2019, the Centre sanctioned the equivalent of about $46 million for the Aditya-L1 mission. The ISRO has not given an official update on costs.

Why is the Aditya-L1 mission important for India?

If all goes according to plan, Aditya-L1 will enter into a halo orbit around one of five Lagrange points. From there, Aditya-L1 should enjoy an uninterrupted view of the sun. The spacecraft will study in real-time its effect on environmental conditions in the vicinity of Earth.

To sum up, ISRO’s spacecraft will also help scientists dig out the hidden history of the Earth’s climate as all solar activities have an immense impact on the planet’s atmosphere.

(With inputs from agencies)

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