India launches a satellite to study the sun after its historic landing on the moon
his name is l “Aditya-L1”, The mission successfully launched early next Saturday (02), from Sriharikota, the country’s main space base.
The launch of Aditya-L1 marks an important milestone for the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) as the mission promises to reveal New findings about the behavior of the solar windStrong streams of particles coming from the sun that can cause disturbances on Earth and lead to the appearance of the aurora borealis.
“This will provide an even greater advantage for monitoring solar activity and its effects on space weather in real time,” ISRO said.
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have already launched space observatories of this type to study the sun, but this will be a first in India.
Operating approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, at what is called Lagrange Point L1 (a stable orbital point where the gravitational forces of the Earth and Moon interact), Aditya-L1 will provide continuous, uninterrupted views of the Sun.
This unique vantage point will provide clear and continuous observations of solar activity and help Indian scientists understand the impact of solar activity on space weather conditions in real time.
The Aditya-L1 was propelled into space by the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), and was designed for a flight Four months from launch to Lagrange point.
On its path, it carries an array of seven advanced instruments designed to observe different layers of the sun, including the photosphere, chromosphere and corona.
And these instruments, equipped with electromagnetic field detectors and particle sensors, among others, are doing just that It will enable comprehensive investigations of solar phenomena and space meteorology.
India lands a rocket in an unexplored region of the Moon
But why would India also want to study the sun from space?
The Sun emits a wide range of radiation, energetic particles, and magnetic fields. However, Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field shield us from much of this radiation, making it inaccessible to ground-based instruments.
To understand the complexities of the Sun, including the behavior of the solar wind, the movement of solar particles, and magnetic fields through interplanetary space, Observations must be made outside the Earth’s atmosphereHence the need for space missions like the Aditya-L1.
Moreover, certain regions of the sun, such as the polar regions, remain poorly studied due to technological challenges. These polar dynamics and magnetic fields play a crucial role in understanding solar cycles and their associated processes. India’s ambitious mission therefore aims to fill in these gaps in solar physics.
India has steadily built its reputation for successfully executing space missions at remarkable economic costs. Its missions to the moon, including Chandrayaan-3, were notable achievements, demonstrating the country’s commitment to furthering space exploration through innovative solutions.
For example, Chandrayaan 3 had a modest budget of around 6.15 billion rupees (about R$368 million), in contrast to the astronomical values associated with some international missions.
This new mission was funded, according to information from Reuters, with an investment of US$46 million in 2019. However, ISRO has yet to release an official update regarding total costs.
And innovative projects in the country do not stop there. And in 2014, India became the first Asian country to put a satellite around Mars, and plans to send one next year. A manned mission around the Earth for three days.
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