India’s first solar observatory mission, Aditya-L1, launched on September 2, 2023, by ISRO using PSLV C57 rocket at the Sathish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota.
- PSLV C57 is the XL variant with extended strap-on motors and higher fuel capacity.
- Aditya-L1’s journey to reach the Lagrange 1 point will take approximately four months.
- Lagrange 1 point is 1.5 million km from Earth and is where gravitational forces between the Sun and Earth create unique regions of attraction and repulsion.
- Aditya-L1’s primary mission is to study solar winds and the Sun’s atmosphere.
- The mission is equipped with seven payloads for observing the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layers of the Sun, known as the Corona.
Q.: What is the name of India’s first solar observatory mission launched on September 2, 2023?
a) Aditya-L1
b) Chandrayaan-2
c) Mangalyaan
d) Astrosat
Ans : a) Aditya-L1
