Aditya L1: ISRO's solar mission set for 4-month Journey to Lagrange point

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Also Read: Aditya L1 spacecraft rolled out to second launch pad, scheduled to launch on September 2 The ISRO explained on its website that the spacecraft will be initially placed in a low earth orbit. “Subsequently, the orbit will be made more elliptical and later the spacecraft will be launched towards the Lagrange point L1 by using on-board propulsion," it said. While travelling towards L1, Aditya L1 will exit the earth’s gravitational Sphere of Influence.

Once out of it, its "cruise phase" will begin and the craft will be injected into a large halo orbit around L1. “ The total travel time from launch to L1 would take about four months for Aditya-L1," the ISRO said. Lagrange points represent specific locations in space where the gravitational forces of two celestial bodies, such as the Sun and Earth, generate regions of gravitational balance.

Within these points, a spacecraft can maintain a stable position without the need for continuous fuel consumption. Also Read: We have lift-off: Time for India’s place in the sun In systems like the Earth-Sun configuration, there exist five Lagrange points designated as L1 through L5. Among these, L1 and L2, positioned closest to the Earth, offer advantageous positions for conducting observational investigations.