"Everybody Counting On...": Astronaut Chris Hadfield On ISRO's Sun Mission

Aditya-L1 is set to be catapulted into space today from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, courtesy of the PSLV-C57. (Image Source: File)

As the timer starts ticking for India's inaugural solar venture, Aditya-L1, towards our nearest star, the Sun, renowned former leader of the International Space Station, Chris Hadfield, lauded India's remarkable "technological capabilities" and expressed how the entire global population heavily relies on advancements in technology.

The commencement of India's Sun expedition is set for 11:50 am today from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The preliminary run-through and examination of the spacecraft's internal components have been successfully concluded.

Aditya-L1, the initial solar space observatory of India, is set to be propelled into orbit by the PSLV-C57. The spacecraft will bear seven distinct payloads to conduct an extensive examination of our sun. Among these payloads, four will diligently observe the sun's light, while the remaining three will measure essential attributes of plasma and magnetic fields in close proximity.

During a special interview with ANI, ex-cosmonaut Chris Hadfield discussed the implications of the Aditya L-1 mission on manned space travel.

Therefore, by deploying a device such as Aditya L-1 in the space between the Earth and the Sun, we can effectively observe and comprehend the Sun's operations and the risks it poses to our planet. This initiative is beneficial for all of us as it ensures our protection as individuals and safeguards the functioning of vital systems like the power grid, internet network, and numerous satellites present in orbit," he explained.

Aditya-L1 is scheduled to be positioned in a halo orbit encircling Lagrangian Point 1 (also known as L1), positioned about 1.5 million km from our planet in the direction of the sun. The anticipated duration for completing this journey is four months.

According to Mr. Hadfield, who represents the global space community, the Aditya L-1 mission holds immense importance. He states that the entire population of Earth relies heavily on technology to provide electricity for their daily lives and to facilitate communication in both residential and commercial settings. The success of our complex and interconnected global electrical and data system is crucial for everyone. This valuable information about space weather is not only significant for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) or exclusively for the Indian space program; it is vital for the world as a whole.

The main goals of India's solar mission involve examining the science behind the solar corona and how it becomes heated, the process of solar wind acceleration, the connection and behavior of the solar atmosphere, the distribution of solar wind and temperature variations, and the origins of Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) and flares as well as the impact on space weather near Earth.

During a complete solar eclipse, what we observe is the sun's outer layer called the corona. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics, located in Bengaluru, has stated that a tool called a coronagraph, such as the VELC, is capable of blocking the bright light emitted by the sun's surface. This allows for the continuous imaging of the corona, which is considerably dimmer compared to the sun's disk.

Chris Hadfield praised ISRO's accomplishment of successfully landing the Chandrayaan-3 moon mission, stating that it exemplifies the enhanced capabilities of Indian technology.

It's a truly momentous occasion for India and the entire globe.

He also praised India's progress in technology, stating, "This demonstration of successfully reaching the moon and sending a spacecraft to observe or investigate the sun, as well as preparing Indian astronauts for space travel, serves as a highly evident illustration of India's current technological skill. It offers a glimpse for not only Indians but also everyone else globally, revealing the impressive capabilities of Indian technology and foreshadowing all the incredible achievements that lie ahead."

In regards to the financial aspect of India's Moon Mission (Chandrayaan-3), former International Space Station Commander Chris Hadfield emphasized the importance of considering the budget in relation to other expenditures. He stated that when compared to the Indian government's spending on initiatives such as food distribution and healthcare for its people, the Moon Mission's budget is only a minute fraction - approximately 0.01%. Additionally, when compared to other nations' expenditures on similar missions, India's cost-effective approach stands out as a major advantage. This demonstrates that Indian space companies can achieve remarkable results with significantly less funds than their global counterparts, which serves as an excellent business model. The successful and affordable manner in which India reached the Moon serves as a positive confirmation for Indian space companies, instilling confidence in their ability to accomplish missions while keeping expenses low.

Regarding the advancement of technology in a cost-effective manner to transform it into a lucrative space industry, the ex-chief of the International Space Station also remarked, "India possesses considerable advantage in exploiting this opportunity."

"I believe that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged this fact for a considerable period of time. He has shown great participation in the activities of the Indian space and research organization... Therefore, it is an extremely wise decision made by India's leadership at present to actively support and advance it. Additionally, they are also in the process of making it privately owned, which will allow businesses and, consequently, the Indian population to reap the benefits," expressed Mr. Hadfield.

Chris Hadfield, a renowned astronaut, has recently written the thrilling novel 'Apollo Murders' and is scheduled to publish the next exciting chapter of 'The Defector' in October.

I have an exciting announcement for you all! The upcoming release of my latest novel, titled "The Defector", is scheduled for October 10th. This captivating piece falls under the genre of thrilling fiction, specifically alternative history fiction. Interestingly, despite the fiction aspect, the majority of events described in the book are based on real occurrences. It was truly enjoyable to intertwine an engaging plot within the backdrop of astronauts, test pilots, and the concurrent space and nuclear programs," he expressed enthusiastically.