Aditya L1 entering its critical stage marks a significant milestone in Indias ambitious space program. The countdown to halo orbit insertion is a delicate and crucial phase, requiring precise manoeuvres and a watchful eye from mission control. The spacecraft was launched by ISRO on September 2, 2023 from Sriharikota.According to the information, the L1 spacecraft will conduct a complex insertion into the halo orbit, a point of gravitational equilibrium between the Earth and the Sun. The aircraft is in its final leg which has covered almost 15 lakh kms in the cold vacuum of space.The journey is expected to culminate on January 6, 2024.VIDEO | Aditya L1 will enter L1 point on January 6. That is what is expected exact time will be announced at the appropriate time, says ISRO Chairman S Somanath on Aditya L1 Mission. pic.twitter.com/qriJWfzcR8— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 22, 2023Noteworthy here is that the insertion into L1 is a critical phase of the mission, which requires precise navigation and control, and before being injected into a transfer orbit towards L1, it underwent a series of four Earth-bound orbital manoeuvres.The spacecraft will measure a variety of phenomena, including interplanetary magnetic fields and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), giving crucial data for the scientific community worldwide as well as for India.The mission team is prepared to face the challenges of space travel and is alert as Aditya L1 gets closer to its objective.In addition to being essential to Isros capabilities, the accomplishment of this insertion will open up new avenues for research into the secrets of our Sun and how it affects space weather.What is a Halo orbitThis is a special type of orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1), a gravitationally stable point between the Earth and the Sun. It allows Aditya L1 to continuously observe the Sun without being constantly swept away by the combined gravity of both celestial bodies.
