Aditya L1 launch: India's first solar mission successfully launched

Aditya L1 launch: India's first solar mission successfully launched

After the successful Chandrayaan-3 moon mission, ISRO launched the Aditya-L1 mission today to study the sun.

Aditya-L1 took off from the Sriharikota launch pad on Saturday at 11:50 AM Indian time (06:20 AM GMT).

India's inaugural sun mission is focused on studying solar winds, which can lead to disruptions on Earth, often observed as auroras.

The Aditya-L1 spacecraft was created to journey approximately 1.5 million kilometers (930,000 miles) over four months to a specific space location where objects typically remain stable due to balanced gravitational forces. This helps minimize the spacecraft's fuel usage.

India's space agency states that it will require four months to reach such a distance.

India's inaugural space mission to investigate the largest object in the solar system is named after Surya, the Hindu deity of the Sun, also known as Aditya.

The "L1" in the mission's name stands for Lagrange point 1, which is the precise location between the Sun and Earth where the Indian spacecraft is headed.

"Now it will keep moving on its very lengthy 135-day journey; let's wish it the best of luck," remarked Isro chief Sreedhara Panicker Somanath.

The project director, Nigar Shaji, mentioned that when Aditya-L1 reaches its destination, it will be advantageous not just for India but also for the worldwide scientific community.

From this position, it can continue to see the Sun - even if it is hidden during an eclipse - and carry out scientific observations.

ISRO hasn't officially disclosed the mission's cost, but according to reports in the Indian media, it is estimated to be around 3.78 billion rupees ($46 million; £36 million).

PSLV-C57/Aditya-L1 Mission:

The launch of Aditya-L1 by PSLV-C57 is accomplished successfully.

The vehicle has placed the satellite precisely into its intended orbit.

India’s first solar observatory has begun its journey to the destination of Sun-Earth L1 point.
— ISRO (@isro) September 2, 2023

Time and again our scientists have proved their might and brilliance. The nation is proud and delighted over the successful launch of Aditya L1, India's first solar mission.

Kudos to the team @isro for this unparalleled accomplishment. It is a giant stride towards fulfilling PM… pic.twitter.com/XEacBvLxoj
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 2, 2023