In a momentous achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has confirmed the successful placement of the Aditya-L1 spacecraft into its designated Halo orbit. ISRO Chief S Somanath expressed relief, referring to it as the “end of a long journey.” He commended the team’s confidence in the complex mission, highlighting their ability to overcome challenges precisely.
Somanath stated, “126 days from lift-off to now…it has reached the final point. So reaching the final point is always an anxious moment, but we were very sure about it. We are very happy.” He acknowledged the complexity of the mission, emphasizing that they love challenges and have successfully navigated through them.
The Aditya L1 mission, initiated in September of the previous year, aims to explore the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona of the Sun. Achieving a Halo orbit around Lagrange Point L1, approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, provides the satellite with continuous visibility of the Sun without interruptions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded ISRO’s success, expressing his appreciation through social media. Somanath mentioned, “He (PM Modi) messaged us through his social media platform and appreciated the work that we did. We are very happy about it.”
The spacecraft’s payloads are reported to be functioning well, with ongoing efforts to ensure the reliability and usability of the collected data. The Aditya-L1 mission holds significance in advancing our understanding of solar dynamics, magnetic field topology, and various processes leading to solar eruptive events.
