Why is it in the news?

• The Aditya-L1 solar mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is headed to the L1 Lagrange point, which is located 1.5 million km from Earth toward the Sun.
• Aditya-L1 is a space-based observatory aiming to acquire an unobstructed view of the Sun from L1.

(The L1 Lagrange point is located 1.5 million km from the earth towards the sun. L2 is located 1.5 million km from the earth in the opposite direction)

More about the news

About

• Lagrange points are points in space where gravitational forces from two celestial bodies, such as the sun and Earth, create a balance, allowing a third, smaller object to remain relatively stationary between them.
• Named after Italian-French mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange.
• Lagrange developed the concept while working on the “three-body problem,” exploring the motion of three massive bodies in space relative to each other.

Five Lagrange Points

• There are five Lagrange points designated as L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5.
• L1, L2, and L3 are unstable points along an imaginary straight line connecting the two larger bodies.
• L4 and L5 are stable points forming equilateral triangles with the two larger celestial bodies at the vertices.
• Objects placed at L4 and L5 remain stable due to a “restoring force” that prevents them from drifting away, leading to the accumulation of interstellar dust and asteroids called Trojans.
• Thousands of Trojans have been detected at L4 and L5 points in various celestial systems.

Importance of Space Exploration

• Lagrange points are critical for space exploration, providing stable positions for spacecraft.
• They allow for communication with ground controllers and offer advantages in terms of observing celestial bodies.
• L1 is already home to several robotic explorers from NASA and other space agencies.
• Additional U.S. probes and the European Vigil mission are expected to journey to Lagrangian points in the coming years.

Potential for Space Colonies

• L4 and L5 points, being relatively close to Earth and requiring less fuel for orbital maintenance, are being explored as potential sites for future space colonies.
• These locations could host space stations and support permanent human habitation, potentially using resources from the moon or asteroids.
• Large space stations at Lagrange points could use rocket thrusters to spin on their axes, creating artificial gravity for inhabitants.