India's Aditya-L1 solar probe moves into next Earth orbit

Previously, on September 2, the Aditya-L1 spacecraft was successfully launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh state (South India). The spacecraft successfully entered its first orbit on September 3.

The spacecraft is scheduled to make two more orbital transitions before reaching the L1 Lagrange point between the Earth and the Sun. From there, the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth on the spacecraft cancel each other out, allowing Aditya-L1 to maintain a stable orbit around the Sun and study the Sun without being affected by celestial occultations.

According to ISRO, the next orbital transfer is scheduled to take place at around 2:30 a.m. on September 10 (local time).

Aditya-L1 is scheduled to observe the Sun’s atmosphere, surface (photosphere), magnetic field, and particles around the star. One of the most intense regions Aditya-L1 will study is the Sun’s upper atmosphere. It will also take ultraviolet images of the corona and photosphere using the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT).

In addition, Aditya-L1 will also observe solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), powerful explosions that can affect life on Earth. Aditya-L1 will also study changes in plasma as it travels from the Sun to Earth. The probe will also measure the plasma environment near Earth, using the Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX).

ISRO said this solar mission will facilitate greater real-time observation of solar activities and their impact on space weather.