India launches its first mission to the sun: video
Photo: India launched its first mission to the sun (video screenshot)
India, after the successful launch of a lunar mission, has set its sights on the Sun. Today, on September 2nd, India launched its own solar observation mission for the first time, according to BBC.
The Aditya-L1 mission took off from the launch site in Sriharikota at 11:50 local time. The spacecraft is expected to position on the line between Earth and the Sun, approximately 1.5 million kilometers from our planet. According to calculations by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the spacecraft will cover this distance in 4 months.
Congratulations to ISRO for the successful launch of India's first Solar Mission Aditya L1! pic.twitter.com/0wyxkfMi2U
— BJP (@BJP4India) September 2, 2023
Symbolic first mission
Aditya-L1 marks India's first solar mission. Following the successful landing of a spacecraft on the Moon, this mission is a significant achievement for India.
The mission's name has symbolic significance. It is named after Surya, the Hindu god of the Sun, also known as Aditya. L1 refers to Lagrange Point 1, where the Indian probe is headed. This unique location is where the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth balance each other, allowing a spacecraft to hover in space.
Mission details
Before heading to Lagrange Point 1, the Indian spacecraft will orbit the Earth several times. After reaching its designated location, the probe will be able to orbit the Sun at the same speed as Earth, which will help conserve fuel.
The Indian mission will study the solar corona, photosphere, and chromosphere.
The cost of the solar mission has not been disclosed yet, but according to reports, India will spend at least $46 million on it.
India's mission to the Moon
It's worth recalling that India launched the lunar mission "Chandrayaan-3." It took off on July 14th from the spaceport on Sriharikota Island.
In just three weeks, the spacecraft entered lunar orbit, and on August 17th, the lander module separated from the orbiter. On August 23rd, India announced that the probe successfully landed on the surface of the Earth's satellite.
For more detailed information about India's mission, refer to the article by RBC-Ukraine.
