In a significant development in India's Solar Exploration, the Aditya L1 spacecraft has begun gathering science data, even before it begins its journey to Lagrange Point 1.

The Indian Space Research Organisation activated the Supra Thermal & Energetic Particle Spectrometer (STEPS) instrument and commenced its data collection process. The STEPS instrument is a part of the Aditya Solar Wind Particle EXperiment (ASPEX) payload, designed to study solar and interplanetary processes.

The STEPS instrument comprises six sensors, each observing in different directions.

It measures supra-thermal and energetic ions, along with electrons around Earth's environment. These measurements are conducted using low and high-energy particle spectrometers.

The data collected during Earth’s orbits will enable scientists to analyse the behavior of particles surrounding the Earth, particularly in the presence of Earth's magnetic field.

The STEPS instrument was activated on September 10, at a distance greater than 50,000 km from Earth. This distance is equivalent to more than eight times the Earth's radius, placing it well beyond Earth's radiation belt region.

After completing the necessary instrument health checks, data collection continued until the spacecraft had moved farther than 50,000 km 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 collected around L1 would provide insights into the origin, acceleration, and anisotropy of solar wind and space weather phenomena.

The STEPS instrument was developed by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) with support from the Space Application Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad.

This marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration efforts and contributes to the global understanding of solar and interplanetary processes.

Source: IndiaToday