"India's Aditya-L1 Completes First Orbit Around Sun-Earth L1"
- BOOBASHKUMAR S
- Jul 3, 2024
- 1 min read
Today, India's first solar observatory mission Aditya-L1 achieved a significant milestone by completing its first halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrangian point[1][2][3][4][5]. Launched on September 2, 2023, Aditya-L1 was successfully inserted into its targeted halo orbit on January 6, 2024[2][4].
In its halo orbit, Aditya-L1 takes approximately 178 days to complete one revolution around the L1 point[1][2][4]. During this journey, the spacecraft is subjected to various perturbing forces that can cause it to deviate from its intended path[1][2][4].
To maintain the spacecraft's trajectory, ISRO has performed three crucial station-keeping maneuvers since the mission's inception[1][2][4][5]. The first two maneuvers took place on February 22 and June 7, 2024, respectively[4][5]. The third maneuver, conducted on July 2, 2024, ensured Aditya-L1's seamless transition into its second halo orbit around L1[1][2][4][5].
This achievement is a testament to the sophisticated flight dynamics software developed in-house at the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru[2][4][5]. The mission's success relies on the precise modeling of complex dynamics and the accurate understanding of perturbing forces acting on the spacecraft[2][4][5]. These factors are crucial in determining the trajectory and planning orbit maneuvers with high precision[2][4][5].
As Aditya-L1 continues its journey, it will provide valuable insights into solar phenomena, further advancing our understanding of the Sun and its effects on Earth[4][5]. This milestone marks a significant step forward in India's space exploration efforts and highlights the country's growing capabilities in solar observation and space technology.
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