Why this matters now
Aditya-L1 is tested for: launch 2 Sep 2023 11:50 IST PSLV-C57 XL SHAR; PSLV’s longest-ever mission (~63 min); Halo Orbit Insertion (HOI) 6 Jan 2024; orbits Sun-Earth Lagrange Point L1, ~1.5 million km from Earth toward Sun (out of 1.5×108 km Sun-Earth distance) — same region as SOHO + DSCOVR; continuous unobstructed view of the Sun; 5-year mission life; mass 1480 kg; 7 payloads (4 remote sensing + 3 in-situ); flagship payload VELC (Visible Emission Line Coronagraph) 190 kg built at IIA Bengaluru — can image corona 1.05 R⊙ (rare); 1st imaging from L1 in Jan 2024.
Why Lagrange Point L1?
L1 is one of 5 points where Earth + Sun gravitational pulls balance the orbital centripetal force. A spacecraft at L1 orbits the Sun in lockstep with Earth, requiring minimal station-keeping fuel. Crucially:
- Unobstructed continuous Sun view — no eclipse, no nightside.
- ~1.5 million km from Earth (1% of 150 m km Sun-Earth distance).
- Shared by NASA-ESA SOHO (1995-), NASA ACE (1997-), DSCOVR (2015-), WIND, NASA-ESA IMAP (2025).
- Advance warning of solar wind storms reaches L1 ~30-60 min before Earth.
7 payloads
| Payload | Observes |
|---|---|
| VELC Visible Emission Line Coronagraph | Solar corona 1.05-3 R⊙; CMEs (flagship, 190 kg, IIA Bengaluru). |
| SUIT Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope | Photosphere + chromosphere UV 200-400 nm. |
| SoLEXS Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer | Soft X-ray solar flares. |
| HEL1OS High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer | Hard X-ray solar flares. |
| ASPEX Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment | Low + high energy solar wind ions in-situ. |
| PAPA Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya | Solar wind electrons + ions. |
| MAG Advanced Tri-axial High Resolution Digital Magnetometer | Interplanetary magnetic field. |
Mission status
- 6 Jan 2024: HOI burn at 18:00 IST — Aditya-L1 inserted into target halo orbit around L1.
- VELC first light + SUIT first images Jan-Feb 2024.
- Captured solar flares + CMEs of May 2024 storm.
- Continuous solar weather monitoring — complements SWARP at L1.
- Open dataset access for global solar community.
UPSC angle
Know ADITYA-L1 — INDIA’S FIRST DEDICATED SOLAR MISSION; LAUNCH 2 SEP 2023 11:50 IST PSLV-C57 XL SHAR; PSLV’s LONGEST-EVER MISSION ~63 min; HALO ORBIT INSERTION (HOI) 6 JAN 2024 18:00 IST; orbits SUN-EARTH LAGRANGE POINT L1 ~1.5 MILLION KM FROM EARTH TOWARD SUN (1% of 150 m km Sun-Earth distance); CONTINUOUS UNOBSTRUCTED SUN VIEW no eclipse no nightside; shared with NASA-ESA SOHO 1995 + NASA ACE 1997 + DSCOVR 2015 + WIND + IMAP 2025; advance warning solar wind storms 30-60 min before Earth; 5-YEAR LIFE; mass 1480 kg; 7 PAYLOADS 4 remote sensing + 3 in-situ; flagship VELC VISIBLE EMISSION LINE CORONAGRAPH 190 kg IIA BENGALURU can image corona 1.05 R⊙ rare; SUIT Solar UV Imaging Telescope 200-400 nm; SoLEXS Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer; HEL1OS High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer hard X-ray flares; ASPEX Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment in-situ; PAPA Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya electrons+ions; MAG Tri-axial High Resolution Digital Magnetometer interplanetary B field; VELC first light + SUIT first images Jan-Feb 2024; captured solar flares + CMEs of MAY 2024 STORM; complements SWARP at L1; open dataset global community.
Frequently asked questions
When was Aditya-L1 launched?
2 September 2023, 11:50 IST by PSLV-C57 (XL) from SHAR. PSLV’s longest-ever mission at ~63 minutes.
Where is Aditya-L1 now?
In a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point L1 — ~1.5 million km from Earth toward the Sun (1% of the 150 m km Sun-Earth distance). Inserted on 6 January 2024.
Why orbit at L1?
At L1, Earth + Sun gravity balance orbital motion — the spacecraft stays Sun-side of Earth, giving continuous unobstructed Sun view. Same region as NASA SOHO, ACE, DSCOVR.
What is VELC?
Visible Emission Line Coronagraph — the flagship 190 kg payload built at Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru. Can image the solar corona as close as 1.05 R⊙ (rare capability).