On January 1, 2024, ISRO’s PSLV-C58 launched the XPOSAT satellite into orbit.
It’s the first specifically designed scientific satellite from ISRO to do research in space-based polarization measurements of X-ray radiation from astronomical sources. Prior to an ambitious crewed mission scheduled for next year, India is aiming to deepen its space exploration activities with the launch of its first satellite, which will study black holes.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath has announced that Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission, which set out on September 2, is preparing for its last manoeuvre to arrive at the L1 point on January 6. Thus far, the spacecraft has completed four earthbound manoeuvres and one Trans-Lagrangian Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) manoeuvre with success.
ISRO Chairman S.Somanath told ANI on Monday that Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission is scheduled to make its last manoeuvre on January 6 in order to reach its targeted destination, the L1 point.
Speaking to reporters on January 1, 2024, ISRO chief S.Somanath stated, “Aditya-L1 is going to reach its L1 point on January 6 and “we will execute the last maneuver to keep it there.” Looking back on 2023, Somanath emphasized how the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon’s south pole and the launch of Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission, had an impact on the country’s standing in the international space sector. These successes have opened the door for other projects and strengthened India’s private space sector.
He also stated that ISRO has roughly 12–14 missions planned for this year. Depending on our capacity to manufacture hardware, the outcome of the tests, and other factors, it might surpass. If things are not going well, it might have an effect. He stated, “Otherwise, we are preparing for minimum 12 missions.”
What ISRO expects after the success of Aditya-L1 Solar Mission?
The successful insertion of Aditya L1 at the Lagrange point is expected to pave the path for ground-breaking discoveries in solar research and further solidify India’s leadership in space exploration, as the country excitedly awaits the final operation, which is slated for January 6.
Details regarding the launch of Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission:
The objectives of ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission are to study the Sun in a number of ways, such as the dynamics of its upper atmosphere (chromosphere and corona), the formation and origin of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), the mechanisms leading up to solar eruptive events, magnetic field measurements in the solar corona, space weather drivers (such as the origin and dynamics of the solar wind), and the physics underlying phenomena like chromospheric and coronal heating.