Aditya L-1 set for critical orbit shift at tomorrow noon, reaching Lagrange point

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: India's solar observation probe, Aditya L-1 is set to reach the crucial L1 Lagrange Point tomorrow afternoon after a 124-day space journey. This milestone involves igniting the probe's thrusters for a critical orbit change, a task requiring precise calculations due to the hypothetical nature of the location. Any miscalculation risks the probe being lost necessitating multiple thruster firings to rectify its position potentially leading to a fuel crisis if reserves run out.

The L1 Lagrange Point is one of five points where the gravitational forces between the Sun and Earth reach equilibrium, offering an unobstructed view of the sun. Aditya L-1's mission tenure spans five years aimed at studying the Sun's emissions, solar wind, radiation and their impact on Earth's magnetosphere.

Equipped with advanced tools like the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope, Emission Corona Graph, X-ray Spectrometers, Solar Wind Particle Analyzer, Plasma Analyzer and Digital Magnetometer, Aditya L-1 made headlines recently by transmitting a comprehensive picture of the Sun to Earth. Once in position at the L1 point, the probe will enter an elliptical halo orbit and rely on solar energy for its operations as it perpetually faces the Sun.