India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1, is set to reach its destination, the Lagrangian point (L1), 1.5 million km from Earth, on January 6, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath said. This mission is India’s first space observatory to study the Sun from a halo orbit around L1. It was launched by ISRO on September 2 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota.
Speaking to the media at the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan organized by Vijnana Bharati, an NGO dedicated to the promotion of science, Somanath mentioned that Aditya-L1 is expected to enter L1 on January 6, with the exact time to be announced later. He explained that once the spacecraft reached L1, the engine would need to be restarted to prevent it from continuing. It will then orbit this point and remain trapped in L1.
After achieving its goal, Aditya-L1 will monitor various solar events for the next five years. Somanath emphasized that once the probe is successfully positioned at L1, it will collect crucial data for the next five years, benefiting not only India but the entire world. This data will improve our understanding of the dynamics of the Sun and its impact on our lives.
During his speech, Somanath also emphasized the importance of making India a technologically advanced country. He unveiled ISRO’s plan to build an Indian space station called ‘Bharatiya space station’, during the ‘Amrit Kaal’, as directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He appreciated the emergence of new players in the space sector and expressed ISRO’s commitment to support, encourage and develop the economy around this new generation. He concluded by saying that while India may not lead in all areas, it should focus on sectors where it can excel.
Bharatiya Space Station
Now India will become a technologically strong country, which is very important, he said while addressing the gathering.
ISRO has drawn up a plan to build India’s space station, called the ‘Bharatiya Space Station’ during the ‘Amrit Kaal’, as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directives, Somanath said.
“In the space sector, we are witnessing the emergence of new players… We will support, encourage and build an economy around the new generation,” he said, adding that India cannot become a leader in everything but should focus on sectors where it can.
