India launches its first mission to the Sun – BBC News

India has launched Adita-L1 in what is the country’s first observation mission to the Sun, just days after it made history by becoming the first to land near the Moon’s south pole.

Adita-L1 lifted off from the launch pad at Sriharikota on Saturday at 11:50 India time (06:20 GMT).

Over the next four months, it will travel 932,000 miles from the Earth – 1% of the Earth-Sun distance – where it will be able to orbit the Sun at the same rate as the Earth.

From this vantage point, Aditya-L1 will be able to watch the Sun constantly – even when it is hidden during an eclipse – and carry out scientific studies.

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