Indian Space Research Organisation's Aditya-L1, India's first mission to study the sun, is set to reach its final destination orbit on Saturday, over four months after it began its ambitious journey from ISRO's Sriharikota launchpad.
Built at a cost of ₹ 400 crore, the nearly 1,500 kg satellite will function as the first space-based Indian observatory to study the sun nearly 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth.
The satellite is expected to be placed in a halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1) at around 4 pm.
The final insertion point was chosen for its advantageous position which remains unhindered by eclipses and can be used to view the Sun continuously.
The Aditya-L1 satellite, carrying seven payloads, will also conduct scientific experiments to better understand the photosphere, chromosphere and the outermost layers of the Sun
Apart from the less-studied solar weather, the satellite will gain crucial information about pre-flare and flare activities and the dynamics of space weather.