As India’s Space Research Organization (ISRO) continues to make strides with its Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission, the organization is now gearing up for an even more ambitious endeavor – the launch of the Aditya-L1 satellite, designed to observe the Sun. This upcoming mission is set to take place atop a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, the very same craft that India utilizes for its commercial satellite launches. Aditya-L1’s journey will span approximately four months, as it aims to position itself in a halo orbit around the L1 Lagrange point, stationed approximately 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth.
The L1 Lagrange point proves to be an optimal vantage point for solar observation, a fact that has already been capitalized on by NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Satellite. India’s recent string of successes in space endeavors positions Aditya-L1 for a promising launch, joining the ranks of India’s previous Mars, Moon, and Sun missions conducted in a remarkably short span.
Turning attention to ISRO’s ongoing Moon mission, positive news continues to pour in from the lunar surface. The Pragyan rover’s astute navigation, which allowed it to spot and avoid a potentially problematic crater, highlights its operational prowess. Additionally, observations from the rover’s Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) have revealed compelling data, such as the discovery of Sulphur in the southern lunar region. LIBS further identified elements like aluminum, calcium, iron, chromium, and titanium, along with manganese, silicon, and oxygen.
The search for hydrogen has commenced, a mission to corroborate previous orbital findings of the element. The potential presence of hydrogen could hold significant implications for future lunar missions, potentially enabling the creation of rocket fuel on the Moon and establishing it as a refueling hub for various space expeditions.
As India basks in its current achievements and eagerly anticipates future accomplishments, Japan’s space community remains watchful, hoping for improved upper atmospheric conditions to facilitate the launch of the SLIM Moon lander. Originally scheduled for August 27, this launch was postponed due to adverse weather conditions, specifically high winds along the launch vehicle’s trajectory. The Japanese Space Exploration Agency is yet to announce the revised launch date.
Lastly, a celestial treat awaits the world as a Blue Supermoon graces the skies. This rare phenomenon involves a second full Moon occurring within a single calendar month, coinciding with the Moon’s close proximity to Earth due to its elliptical orbit. The Supermoon effect lends the Moon a larger appearance, with up to a 14 percent increase in size compared to the average. On this occasion, Luna will orbit at a distance of about 357,000 kilometers from Earth, providing sky watchers with a captivating spectacle.