Only 3 countries (US, UK, Japan) could execute solar space missions, which failed 5 times. But India’s ISRO Aditya-L1 seems to outperform all of them.
India’s space agency, ISRO, is set to launch its first-ever dedicated solar mission, ISRO Aditya-L1, in 2023.
The mission aims to study the Sun’s corona, solar flares, and ejections, and improve understanding of the Sun-Earth connection.
The mission’s objective is to predict and mitigate the effects of solar storms and space weather. Read this article to know everything about the ISRO Aditya-L1 mission and its significance.
ISRO Aditya-L1 Mission Overview
Aditya-L1: India’s First Dedicated Solar Mission
Aditya-L1 is India’s first solar mission, and scientists and space enthusiasts are avidly awaiting its launch.
The project, which has been in development for a while, is anticipated to open up new opportunities for scientific study and space exploration.
A Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C55 rocket from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Center will carry out the mission’s launch.
Surveillance From 1.5 Million km From Earth
Aditya-L1 will orbit the Sun approximately 1.5 million kilometers away from the Earth. This will make it possible for the spacecraft to see the Sun’s corona, solar flares, and explosions clearly.
The spacecraft will be furnished with a variety of devices for gathering information and taking pictures of the Sun’s surface and corona.
The spacecraft will send the data it has gathered back to Earth for additional analysis and research.
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PSLV-C55 Rocket Will Launch Aditya-L1
The ISRO Aditya-L1 mission is anticipated to revolutionize solar research. Scientists are working to better predict and lessen the consequences of solar storms and space weather by understanding the Sun’s behavior and the effects of its activities on Earth.
The PSLV-C55 rocket will carry Aditya-L1 from Sriharikota into orbit. Additionally, the mission will offer useful information on the cause and fluctuations of solar winds and CMEs (coronal mass ejections).
In the future, this kind of data will be essential for furthering space exploration and enhancing our knowledge of the Sun-Earth connection.
What Are The Objectives Of The ISRO’s Mission Aditya-L1?
Research Of Solar Corona And Its Dynamics
The primary objectives of the ISRO Aditya-L1 mission are to increase our knowledge of the Sun’s nature and how it affects Earth.
Studying the solar corona and its changing patterns is one of the mission’s main goals.
The solar wind and the Sun’s magnetic field are significantly shaped by the corona, which is the Sun’s outermost layer of the atmosphere.
Researchers seek to learn more about the Sun’s activity and how its radiation impacts Earth’s environment by studying the corona.
Exploration of Solar Winds Origin & Variability
Another essential objective of the ISRO Aditya-L1 mission is to study the genesis and variability of solar winds. Solar winds are the charged particles that the Sun continuously ejects into space.
These winds have the potential to significantly alter the climate of Earth and interfere with the electricity grid and satellite communications.
Scientists want to improve models for anticipating the behavior of solar winds and reducing their influence on Earth by investigating the cause and fluctuation of these winds.
Study Of Coronal Mass Ejections & Their Characteristics
The Aditya-L1 mission also intends to investigate the characteristics of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Solar flares are frequently accompanied by CMEs, which are massive explosions of plasma and magnetic fields.
These occurrences have the potential to drastically change the Earth’s space environment, upsetting satellite communications as well as power grids.
The goal of studying CMEs is to improve models for forecasting their behavior and comprehending their influence on Earth.
Collect In-Depth Data On Sun-Earth Connection
The ISRO Aditya-L1 mission also seeks to deepen our knowledge of the Sun-Earth relationship. The environment of Earth can be significantly impacted by the Sun’s activity, with effects ranging from satellite communications to temperature patterns.
Scientists want to improve models for forecasting space weather and reducing its impact on our globe by researching the Sun’s behavior and its effects on our planet.
In conclusion, the ISRO Aditya-L1 mission marks a substantial advancement in our knowledge of the Sun and its effects on our world.
List of Instruments Or Payloads Will Be Onboard On Aditya-L1
The Aditya-L1 mission will have 7 instruments that will offer innovative perspectives on the Sun’s behavior and how it affects the ecology of Earth.
Scientists want to improve their models for forecasting space weather and reducing its effects on our planet by closely examining the Sun and its activity.
We have made great progress in our comprehension of the Sun and its effects on Earth thanks to the Aditya-L1 mission. Here we are discussing the first 3 important Aditya-L1 payloads.
Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC)
The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is one of the primary instruments onboard. VELC will use visual and near-infrared wavelengths for studying the dynamics of the corona.
It will be able to take high-resolution pictures of the corona and offer fresh perspectives on how the Sun behaves.
Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)
The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope is the Aditya-L1 mission’s second instrument. (SUIT).
SUIT will investigate the UV emissions from the Sun and offer in-depth pictures of the Sun’s atmosphere and surface.
This will make it easier for scientists to comprehend how the magnetic fields of the Sun are produced and how they affect the Sun’s activity.
Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX)
The third instrument onboard the Aditya-L1 mission is the Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX). ASPEX will investigate the solar wind’s characteristics, including its structure and velocity.
It will assist scientists to understand how the solar wind is produced and how it affects the atmosphere on Earth by measuring the charged particles in the solar wind.
List of All Solar Space Missions Worldwide
There have been a total of 7 different solar space missions executed by 3 space organizations – NASA, ESA & JAXA.
The US, UK, Japan & some other European countries were involved in these missions. India is among the 4 countries which will be on this list.
Here is a list of 8 solar space mission satellites and their respective countries:
- Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) – A joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA.
- Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) – A NASA mission.
- Hinode (Solar-B) – A joint mission between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), NASA, and the ESA.
- Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) – A NASA mission.
- Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) – A joint mission between NASA and the ESA.
- Solar Orbiter – A joint mission between the ESA and NASA.
- Solar Probe Plus (Parker Solar Probe) – A NASA mission.
- Aditya-L1 – An Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) mission.
These missions were intended to learn more about the sun’s activity, solar flares, coronal mass ejections, solar wind, and interactions with the magnetic field of the Earth.
However, they could still gather limited data to date. Plus, no one could measure such a minor wavelength as compared to Aditya-L1.
List of Failed Solar Space Missions
As I said, those 3 countries and 4 space organizations were involved in the solar space missions but they had to face 5 failures in those missions.
Here is a list of some failed solar space mission satellites
Genesis
NASA’s mission to explore the solar wind was launched in 2001. The mission’s sample return capsule crashed and landed in Utah in 2004 as a result of a failure during its return to Earth. However, a few specimens were still collected and tested.
Solar Maximum Mission (SMM)
NASA launched a project to examine solar flares in 1980. In 1984, a battery explosion resulted in the mission losing its capacity to point.
Astronauts from the Space Shuttle eventually found it in 1984, and it was brought down to Earth for maintenance and improvement.
Yohkoh (Solar-A)
A collaborative mission between Japan, the US, and the UK was launched in 1991 to investigate the sun’s X-rays.
The satellite lost touch with the Earth after the mission failed in 2001. It re-entered the atmosphere of Earth in 2005.
TRACE (Transition Region and Coronal Explorer)
NASA launched a mission to examine the sun’s corona in 1998. In 2010, there was a power outage that resulted in the mission’s loss of ground contact.
Eventually, in 2011, it was found, but it was unable to carry on with scientific observations.
HINOTORI
HINOTORI was a Japanese solar mission launched in 1981 to research solar flares. The mission experienced a battery malfunction in 1982, and it was shut down in 1987.
These were some of the solar space mission satellites that experienced failures. However, India has already a record of fulfilling the Mars Mission in one go, which no country could do.
Thus it is expected to a great extent that India will be able to execute this solar mission successfully again.
Significance of the Mission Aditya-L1
To Study Sun’s Behavior & Its Impact On Earth
The mission of Aditya-L1 is crucial in various aspects. First of all, it will advance our knowledge of the Sun’s activity and effects on Earth.
The mission will give us an important new understanding of how our star functions by examining the dynamics of the solar corona, the genesis and fluctuation of solar winds, and coronal mass ejections.
Scientists will then be better able to comprehend how the Sun and Earth are related and how it impacts our planet.
To Predict & Deduct Solar Storms & Space Weather Effects
Secondly, the mission will also aid in forecasting and reducing the consequences of solar storms and space weather.
Solar storms have the potential to seriously harm the economy and society by interfering with satellite communication, power grids, and navigation systems.
Scientists can improve their models to forecast such occurrences and take the necessary action to lessen their effects by researching the Sun’s behavior.
To Benefit The World With In-Depth Space Information
Last but not least, the Aditya-L1 mission will improve India’s space expertise and provide accurate and detailed information about solar activity.
With a run of successful missions, including the Gaganyaan, Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), and Chandrayaan-2, India’s space program has advanced significantly in recent years.
This heritage will be expanded upon by the Aditya-L1 mission, which will also help to solidify India’s status as a major leader in the fields of space exploration and scientific research.
The collaboration of International space agencies with the Indian space agency ISRO will also help other countries to enhance their space capabilities and provide opportunities for other scientists to work and participate in global scientific endeavors.
Conclusion About ISRO’s Aditya-L1 Mission
India was considered a country of farmers & elephants. But now India has emerged as a superpower in several aspects across the world. It has also been titled ‘Pharmacy of the world’!
After the successful executions of Gaganyaan, Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), Chandrayaan-2, and 104 satellites launched, India is ready to write another history with ISRO’s Aditya-L1 solar mission.
The Aditya-L1 mission will help human civilization to research & understand the Sun’s corona, solar flares, ejections, and the connection between Sun & Earth. But for that, we will have to wait for that till June or July 2023.
