Bengaluru: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved yet another significant milestone in the Aditya L-1 mission, dedicated to the study of the sun, with the successful completion of its third earth-bound maneuver.
The crucial orbit-raising operation took place at the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru at 0230 hrs on a Sunday morning. This achievement marks a key step in ensuring the satellite’s optimal positioning for its mission objectives.
ISRO’s ground stations, located in Mauritius, Bengaluru, SDSC-SHAR, and Port Blair, closely tracked the satellite’s movements during this complex operation.
The outcome of this maneuver is the establishment of a new orbit for Aditya-L1, with parameters measuring 296 km x 71,767 km. The meticulous execution of this operation sets the stage for the upcoming maneuvers planned for the mission.
ISRO provided an update, stating, “Aditya-L1 Mission: The third Earth-bound maneuver (EBN#3) is performed successfully from ISTRAC, Bengaluru. ISRO’s ground stations at Mauritius, Bengaluru, SDSC-SHAR, and Port Blair tracked the satellite during this operation.”
The next critical maneuver, designated as EBN#4, is scheduled to take place on September 15, 2023, around 02:00 hrs IST, as the mission continues its journey to unravel the mysteries of our nearest star, the Sun.