ISRO: PAPA detects solar wind impact of coronal mass ejections
- Recently, ISRO announced the operational status of the Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) payload on the Aditya-L1 satellite.
- The PAPA payload is developed by the Space Physics Laboratory and Avionics Entity of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)/ISRO.
Key Features of PAPA Payload
- PAPA is an energy and mass analyser designed for in-situ measurements of solar wind electrons and ions in the low energy range.
- It comprises two sensors viz. Solar Wind Electron Energy Probe (SWEEP) and Solar Wind Ion Composition Analyser (SWICAR).
- These facilitate comprehensive observations of solar phenomena.
- The sensors also detect the direction of arrival of solar wind particles enabling a holistic understanding of solar wind dynamics.
Operational Status and Achievements
- PAPA has been operational since December 12, 2023, and has been performing nominally.
- Its advanced sensors successfully detected the impact of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), including those occurring in February 10-11, 2024.
- The sensors are continuously observing solar wind electrons and ions, demonstrating effectiveness in monitoring space weather conditions.
- The payload's performance aligns with its design across all operational modes, showcasing its capability to analyze solar phenomena.
Prelims Takeaway
- Aditya L1 Mission
- PAPA Payload
- Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)