India Makes History with Successful Launch of Aditya-L1 Solar Mission
ISRO’s Remarkable Achievement Following Chandrayaan-3 Lunar Mission
In an extraordinary moment of achievement, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has proudly launched India’s inaugural Observatory Class Solar Expedition – the Aditya-L1. This historic feat follows closely on the heels of India’s monumental landing on the Moon’s south pole during the Chandrayaan-3 Lunar Mission. The Aditya-L1 Solar Mission promises to etch another remarkable chapter in India’s space exploration history as it becomes the first of its kind to orbit the solar disk in the near UV band of the Sun.
Aditya-L1 Solar Mission Takes Flight
At precisely 11:50 AM IST today, the 25th PSLV-XL rocket, named PSLV-C57, majestically ascended from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Center SHAR (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota. The rocket soared through the clear skies, leaving behind a trail of thick white exhaust fumes. The ISRO Control Mission reported a flawless liftoff, with all critical signals from the PSLV-C57 rocket registering as normal.
Within a mere 53 seconds, the rocket had successfully reached its intended altitude of 185 kilometers, with the second and third stages of the PSLV rocket smoothly detaching. By 12:11 AM IST, the Aditya-L1 solar mission had entered its planned PS4 coasting phase. This launch is just the beginning of a remarkable journey. The Aditya-L1 Solar Mission, spanning an estimated four months, is anticipated to be one of ISRO’s most extended missions.
Additionally, from the launch to the ejection point of Aditya-L1, it will take the PSLV-C57 rocket approximately 63 minutes. An additional 10 minutes will be needed to reach the successful passivation of the fourth stage, resulting in an overall launch duration of around 73 minutes. As per the Aditya-L1’s Flight Plan, ISRO Mission Control will guide two shutdowns of the rocket in the fourth stage, allowing it to gracefully follow its intended trajectory for approximately 30 minutes, divided into two phases (around 26 minutes initially and then an additional 3 to 4 minutes).
Aditya-L1’s Ambitious Goals
ISRO’s maiden Solar Mission endeavors to explore the outermost layer of the Sun, known as the Corona, and conduct in-situ experiments to comprehend the dynamics of solar particles. This pioneering mission will be executed from a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point 1 (L1). The PSLV-C57 spacecraft will travel approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth and is equipped with seven crucial payloads to achieve these scientific objectives. These payloads will facilitate the study of solar storms, enabling real-time detection and understanding of their behavior and impact.
In achieving success in this solar mission, India will join the ranks of Japan, the United States, and the European Space Agency (ESA), who have already been diligently observing our star, the Sun. Stay tuned as we closely monitor Aditya-L1’s journey and bring you the latest updates. We invite you to share your thoughts on this significant milestone for India’s space exploration efforts in the comment section below.
