The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is launching two pioneering scientific spacecraft this year, one to study the Sun, and one to land on the Moon – the nation’s first soft landing on another celestial body.ESA’s global deep-space communication antennas will provide essential support to both missions every step of the way, tracking the spacecraft, pinpointing their locations at crucial stages, transmitting commands and receiving ‘telemetry’ and valuable science data.
And, the solar mission — Aditya-L1 — is expected to make the September-October window, missing which would push the mission to the next year. While the team is confident of making the window, the headquarters is yet to take a final call on the launch dates. “In all likelihood, it could happen this year,” one source said.
Aditya-L1: Aryabhatta Institute to organize workshop for students to analyse solar dataTo be launched later this year, Aditya-L1 is India's maiden space mission to the Sun wherein the space-based observatory will continuously image the star and observe coronal mass ejections, solar winds and other activities.
The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (Aries) will host a ten-day workshop to train students in using and analysing solar data. Young astronomy aspirants keen on studying the sun can apply for the Aditya-L1 Science Support Cell (AL1SSC1) 2022 workshop to be held from June 27 to July 6 at the Nainital-based institute.
The workshop will have hands-on training and data analysis along with lectures on relevant topics. Some of the key areas to be covered during the workshop include spectroscopic observations, Aditya-L1 mission and objectives, imaging analysis, polarimetric observations and in-situ observations of the solar atmosphere, time series analysis, numerical simulations, remote sensing and use of advanced computational tools like Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Participants can also get a chance to visit the institute’s 15 cm H-alpha telescope to record real-time solar observations.
Aditya-L1 Support Cell (AL1SC), a joint effort of ISRO and ARIES, is set up at ARIES. This center will jointly work to maximize utilization of science data from upcoming Aditya-L1 space mission.
SoLEXS: Solar Low Energy X-ray SpectrometerSoLEXS on Aditya-L1 is a soft X-ray spectrometer (1 keV to 30keV) for studying solar flares. The main science goals of SoLEXS are: (i) Flare and coronal abundance studies as a standalone spectrometer and (ii) Dynamical events studies along with other payloads. In addition to the flare & coronal abundance studies, the heating mechanism of these flares, pre-flare activities indicating the flare initiation mechanisms and the coronal abundances and hence the FIP Effects will also be studied.Silicon Drift Detectors (SDD), which have high count rate capabilities are used. The spectroscopic signal processing modules like shaper, baseline restorer, peak detector, pile- up rejecter etc. are developed in digital domain, entirely into FPGA module. Key instrument specifications are; energy range 1-30 keV, Spectral resolution: < 250 eV @ 5.9 keV keV, Flare coverage: A to X-class. The Shutter Mechanism is developed as per SoLEXS payload requirement for aperture cover during ground/launch operations and deploy in orbit for payload operations.
FGM: Fluxgate MagnetometerIn Aditya–L1 mission, a pair of Flux Gate Magnetometers will be flown. The FGM instrument is a dual range 3-axis sets of magnetic sensors be mounted on a 6m boom (one at the tip and other at the mid-way of the boom). The design and development of the magnetic sensors, deployable 6m Magnetic Boom including the boom Testing at the Magnetic Test facility are the challenging aspects accomplished during the period.
VELC: Visible Emission Line CoronagraphVisible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), the prime payload on-board Aditya-L1 mission is a collaborative project between Indian Institute of Astrophysics [IIA], Bengaluru and URSC. The Centre contributed in the thermal design and analysis of the VELC payload, optical design of the mirror and lens assemblies, development of Multiple operation Entry Aperture Cover Mechanism, Deployable Exit Cover Mechanism as well as Payload Drive electronics during the period.
HEl1OS: High Energy l1 Orbiting X-ray SpectrometerHEL1OS on Aditya-L1 is a hard X-ray spectrometer (10 keV to 150 keV) to observe Sun as a star continuously from L1 point. The main science goals of HEL1OS are to study particle acceleration processes during flares, via emission of hard X-rays (HXR) during the impulsive phase of solar flare. It is an instrument supporting multi-wavelength observations of eruptive solar phenomena.The instrument consists of two types of detectors, Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) and Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), to cover the required spectral range (10 keV – 150 keV).
SUIT: Solar Ultraviolet Imaging TelescopeSUIT will observe the Sun in the 200-400 nm spectral range with 11 channels (3 Broadband & 8 Narrowband filters). SUIT is a collaborative project between Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics [IUCAA], Pune and URSC along with LEOS and IISU. A 4K x 4K CCD detector is used for capturing the solar disc image.
Director, SDSC SHAR, press meet [15 Aug 2022]:[YouTube link]<snip>Missions planned for next year:PSLV C55 - Commercial launchPSLV C56 - Aditya-L1GSLV Mk3 - OneWebGLSV Mk3 - Chandrayaan 3 (based on readiness)
Giving an update on the launch of Aditya L1 mission, Somanath S, Chairman ISRO said, “The spacecraft is currently being integrated. A critical payload is undergoing testing and integration. Full spacecraft is yet to be assembled and tested. The present schedule for launch is the beginning of 2023.”
Sullurpet: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the American Space Research Organization (NASA) are preparing to jointly launch the Aditya L1 satellite before the end of January 2023 to study the Sun.
ISRO has intensified its arrangements to launch Aditya L1 satellite by PSLV-C56 rocket from Sriharikota in January 2023. SHAR Director Armugam Rajarajan revealed this to the media.
This satellite is being made at U.R. Rao Space Center in Bangalore.
The satellite weighs 1,475 kg. Payloads weigh 244 kg and liquid fuel weighs 1,231 kg. More liquid fuel is used to propel it towards the Sun. After the initial launch of the satellite into Geo Transfer Orbit, it takes 177 days to reach the Lagrangian Point-1 (L-1) which is 15 lakh km [1.5M km] from Earth. From there, it is expected to be able to continuously investigate the changes on the Sun without any obstacles. Six payloads are being installed in the satellite.
https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1619543335416532993QuoteChandrayaan-3, we will have this year end or next year beginning..discussions underway about the next #mars mission..now we’re going to the Sun- Aditya-L1 by June-July..mission to asteroid, to Venus are at discussion level as I understand” Umamaheswaran, #isro HSFC Director
Chandrayaan-3, we will have this year end or next year beginning..discussions underway about the next #mars mission..now we’re going to the Sun- Aditya-L1 by June-July..mission to asteroid, to Venus are at discussion level as I understand” Umamaheswaran, #isro HSFC Director
