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The Aditya L1 spacecraft has begun collecting scientific data even before it begins its voyage to Lagrange Point 1.
The Indian Space Research Organisation activated the Supra Thermal & Energetic Particle Spectrometer (STEPS) instrument and commenced data gathering. The STEPS instrument constitutes a component of the Aditya Solar Wind Particle EXperiment (ASPEX) payload, aimed at investigating solar and interplanetary processes.
It detects suprathermal and energetic ions, as well as electrons, in the Earth’s atmosphere. Low and high-energy particle spectrometers are used for these measurements.
Scientists will be able to analyze the behavior of particles surrounding the Earth using data obtained during Earth’s orbits, particularly in the presence of the Earth’s magnetic field.
On September 10, the STEPS instrument was triggered at a distance of more than 50,000 kilometers from Earth. This distance is more than eight times the radius of the Earth, putting it considerably beyond the radiation belt region.
After the requisite instrument health checks, data collection proceeded until the spacecraft was more than 50,000 kilometers away from Earth.
“Each unit of STEPS is operating within normal parameters. A figure displays measurements depicting variations in the energetic particle environment within Earth’s magnetosphere, collected by one of the units. These STEPS measurements will persist during the cruise phase of the Aditya-L1 mission as it progresses toward the Sun-Earth L1 point. They will continue once the spacecraft is positioned in its intended orbit,” Isro said in a statement.
Data acquired near L1 might reveal information on the origin, acceleration, and anisotropy of solar wind and space weather occurrences.
The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, with assistance from the Space Application Centre (SAC), created the STEPS instrument.
This is a big step forward in India’s space exploration endeavors and adds to a better knowledge of solar and interplanetary processes worldwide.
Source:IT
