Science

Halo-Orbit Insertion of Aditya-L1 Successfully Accomplished – ISRO

BlogRati
BlogRati
3 Min Read

The Halo-Orbit Insertion (HOI) of the Aditya-L1 solar observatory spacecraft is a significant achievement, showcasing the advanced capabilities of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in handling complex orbital maneuvers. Here’s a breakdown of the key points mentioned in the information:

  1. Objective of Aditya-L1 Mission:
    • Aditya-L1 is an Indian solar observatory located at the Lagrangian point L1.
    • Mission objective: Observing and understanding the chromospheric and coronal dynamics of the Sun continuously.
    • Halo orbit chosen for optimal observations and minimal fuel consumption.
  2. Halo Orbit Characteristics:
    • Aditya-L1 is in a periodic Halo orbit approximately 1.5 million km from Earth on the Sun-Earth line.
    • Orbital period: 177.86 Earth days.
    • Advantages of Halo orbit: Smooth Sun-spacecraft velocity change, outside Earth’s magnetosphere, unobstructed continuous observation of the Sun, and constant communication with ground stations.
  3. Halo Orbit Insertion Process:
    • Insertion started as the spacecraft crossed the XZ plane in the Sun-Earth-L1 rotating system.
    • Essential to nullify X and Z velocity components and achieve the required Y-velocity in the L1 rotating frame for the desired Halo orbit.
    • Targeted Halo orbit parameters: Ax – 209200 km, Ay – 663200 km, Az – 120000 km.
    • Constant monitoring and adjustment of spacecraft’s speed and position using onboard thrusters.
  4. Critical Mission Phase:
    • Successful insertion indicates ISRO’s capabilities in complex orbital maneuvers.
    • Boosts confidence for handling future interplanetary missions.
  5. Aditya-L1 Journey Overview:
    • Launched on September 2, 2023, by PSLV-C57 into an elliptical parking orbit.
    • Progressive increase in orbital size using the onboard propulsion system.
    • Five liquid engine burns during Earth orbit phase to raise apogee and attain the desired trajectory.
    • Trans-L1 injection (TL1I) maneuver executed to reach the target L1 halo orbit.
    • Two trajectory correction maneuvers (TCM-1 and TCM-2) conducted to address errors during TL1I phase.
    • Cruise phase lasting approximately 110 days to achieve the present condition before HOI on January 6, 2024.
  6. Payloads and Performance:
    • Payloads developed by Indian scientific laboratories (IIA, IUCAA, ISRO).
    • Pre-commissioning phase testing confirms satisfactory performance of all payloads.
  7. Visual Representation:
    • The graphical representation illustrates the spacecraft’s movement towards the L1 point, aligning with the Halo Orbit through TCM1 & 2 firings, and the final firing during HOI on January 6, 2024.

The successful execution of the Halo-Orbit Insertion is a testament to ISRO’s engineering prowess and contributes to the ongoing advancements in space exploration and solar observation.

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