ISRO posted on X, “Aditya-L1 Mission: Aditya-L1 has commenced collecting scientific data. The sensors of the STEPS instrument have begun measuring supra-thermal and energetic ions and electrons at distances greater than 50,000 km from Earth. This data helps scientists analyze the behaviour of particles surrounding Earth. The figure displays variations in the energetic particle environment, collected by one of the units.”
The Supra Thermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer (STEPS) instrument, a part of the Aditya Solar Wind Particle EXperiment (ASPEX) payload, has started its data-gathering operations.
STEPS, equipped with six sensors observing in various directions, is responsible for measuring supra-thermal and energetic ions ranging from 20 (kiloelectronvolt) keV/nucleon to 5 (mega electron volt) MeV/nucleon, as well as electrons exceeding 1 MeV.
These measurements are essential for understanding the behaviour of particles around Earth, particularly in the presence of the Earth’s magnetic field.
The activation of STEPS took place on September 10, at a distance greater than 50,000 km from Earth, equivalent to over eight times the Earth’s radius. After undergoing essential instrument health checks, data collection continued until the spacecraft moved beyond the 50,000 km mark from Earth.
Each unit of STEPS is functioning within normal parameters, and the provided figure displays measurements illustrating variations in the energetic particle environment within Earth’s magnetosphere, captured by one of the units.
These measurements will persist throughout the Aditya-L1 mission’s cruise phase as it progresses toward the Sun-Earth L1 point, providing crucial insights into the origin, acceleration, and anisotropy of solar wind and space weather phenomena.
STEPS was developed by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) with support from the Space Application Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, underscoring India’s growing expertise in space science and technology.
The Aditya-L1 spacecraft, India’s first mission dedicated to studying the Sun, has been making significant strides. It recently completed its fourth earth-bound manoeuvre, bringing it closer to its intended mission trajectory.
The spacecraft lifted off successfully on September 2, carrying seven different payloads designed for a detailed study of the Sun.
Four of these payloads will observe the Sun’s light, while the other three will measure in-situ parameters related to plasma and magnetic fields.
ISRO continues to expand its portfolio of space exploration missions, demonstrating its commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and space technology in India and beyond.
The next manoeuvre for the Aditya-L1 mission is scheduled for September 19. (ANI)
ISRO imeweka kwenye X, <unk>Aditya-L1 Mission: Aditya-L1 imeanza kukusanya data za kisayansi. STEPS inashughulikia ion za joto na umeme katika umbali wa kilomita 50,000 kutoka duniani. Takwimu hizo husaidia wanasayansi kuchanganua tabia ya chembe zinazozunguka Dunia. "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika picha ya chini, ""Supra Thermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer (STEPS) instrument, sehemu ya Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX) payload, imeanza shughuli zake za kukusanya data." STEPS, iliyo na sensorer sita zinazochunguza katika mwelekeo mbalimbali, ni wajibu wa kupima ions superthermal na nishati kuanzia 20 (kiloelectronvolts) keV (kiloelectronvolts) kwa 5 (megaelectronvolts) MeV (kiloelectronvolts), pamoja na elektroni zaidi ya 1 MeV. Vipimo hivi ni muhimu kwa kuelewa tabia ya chembe karibu na Dunia, hasa katika uwepo wa uwanja wa sumaku wa Dunia. STEPS ilifunguliwa Septemba 10, 2020 katika umbali wa kilomita 50,000 kutoka duniani, karibu na kipenyo cha dunia. Baada ya kupimwa kwa vifaa, data ilichukuliwa hadi ndege hiyo ilipozidi umbali wa kilomita 50,000 kutoka duniani. Kila kitengo cha STEPS kinafanya kazi ndani ya vigezo vya kawaida, na takwimu zinazotolewa zinaonyesha vipimo vinavyoonyesha tofauti katika mazingira ya chembe za nishati ndani ya magnetosphere ya Dunia, iliyokamatwa na moja ya vitengo. Uchunguzi huo utaendelea katika kipindi chote cha safari ya Aditya-L1, wakati inapokuwa ikisonga mbele kuelekea jua-Dunia L1, na kutoa ufahamu muhimu kuhusu chanzo, kasi na anisotropy ya upepo wa jua na hali ya hewa ya anga. STEPS ilitengenezwa na Maabara ya Utafiti wa Fizikia (PRL) kwa msaada wa Kituo cha Maombi ya Anga (SAC) huko Ahmedabad, ikikazia utaalam wa India unaokua katika sayansi na teknolojia ya anga. Aditya-L1, chombo cha kwanza cha India kuchunguza jua, kimetolewa kwa ajili ya uchunguzi wa sayari ya dunia. Hivi majuzi ilikamilisha mwendo wake wa nne wa kushuka duniani, ikimleta karibu zaidi na njia yake ya utume iliyokusudiwa. Chombo hicho kiliondoka kwa mafanikio Septemba 2, na kubeba mizigo saba tofauti iliyoundwa kwa ajili ya utafiti wa kina wa Jua. Nne ya mizigo hii itatazama mwanga wa Jua, wakati tatu nyingine itapima in-situ vigezo vinavyohusiana na plasma na mashamba ya sumaku. ISRO inaendelea kupanua kwingineko ya misheni ya uchunguzi wa anga, ikionyesha kujitolea kwake kuendeleza maarifa ya kisayansi na teknolojia ya anga nchini India na nje yake. Majaribio ya pili ya Aditya-L1 yamepangwa kufanyika Septemba 19. (ANI)