NASA’s STS-38 Atlantis DoD: Objectives, Timeline & Spacecraft for UPSC

NASA is a leader in working with other countries in space, partnering with over 100 nations. When NASA works with big international space groups like ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and ISRO (India), it shows that more and more countries are cooperating peacefully in space. This teamwork is really important for tackling problems that affect everyone, like protecting Earth from asteroids or cleaning up space junk.

In this article, we will learn about the STS-38 Atlantis DoD mission which will explore more about Earth (orbital flight), capturing vital data that will support future exploration, human habitation, or satellite operations.

• STS-38 Atlantis DoD was launched on November 15, 1990, marking a significant step forward in space exploration.  
• This initiatives main objective, to Dedicated Department of Defense (DoD) mission, was carefully chosen to fill a critical gap in our current knowledge or capabilities, promising to yield valuable new insights.  
• The people chosen for this Crewed classified DoD flight received special training tailored to what the mission required.  
• For this historic journey, the powerful Space Shuttle (Atlantis OV-104) was selected because it was a well-known and dependable rocket at the time. 
• The spacecraft was launched from Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A, heading into orbit. 
• The mission lasted for 4 days, 21 hours, 54 minutes, 31 seconds. 
• NASA, DoD played a key role in the success of the mission. 
• The mission was classified as Completed (Successful) upon completion. 

The payload of Classified DoD payload (SDS-2 military communications satellite suspected) aboard STS-38 Atlantis DoD enhances both mission autonomy and scientific output.

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NASA STS-38 Atlantis DoD Space Mission Overview 

STS-38 Atlantis DoD – Space Mission Profile for UPSC
Target Celestial Body	Earth (orbital flight)
Launch Date	November 15, 1990
Objective	Dedicated Department of Defense (DoD) mission
Mission Type	Crewed classified DoD flight
Launch Vehicle	Space Shuttle (Atlantis OV-104)
Launch Site	Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A
Mission Duration	4 days, 21 hours, 54 minutes, 31 seconds
Agencies Involved	NASA, DoD
Mission Status	Completed (Successful)
Estimated Cost	N/A
Proposal Date	N/A
New Instruments/Payloads	Classified DoD payload (SDS-2 military communications satellite suspected)
Key Technologies Used	N/A (details classified)

Also, Checkout Sunita Williams’ Missions to the International Space Station

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STS-38 Atlantis DoD Space Mission Global Contributions

• Classified mission played a key role in maximizing the impact of mission data through shared scientific analysis. 
• Through STS-38 Atlantis DoD, NASA underscored its leadership by achieving Continued classified Shuttle missions, encouraging updates to international space guidelines. 

Global Collaboration & Strategic Impact
International Partners	N/A
Payload Contributions	N/A
Commercial Involvement	N/A
Data Sharing Agreements	Classified mission
Impact on Global Space Policy	Continued classified Shuttle missions

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Challenges & Risk in STS-38 Atlantis DoD Space Mission

Operational Risks, Environmental Impact & Challenges
Risk & Mitigation Log	N/A
Environmental & Sustainability Footprint	N/A
Challenges Faced	N/A (publicly available)

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Mission Timeline of STS-38 Atlantis DoD NASA Space Mission

• The date November 20, 1990 (Landing at KSC) represented a pivotal moment as the mission entered its most critical phase. 
• The NASA space mission reached the end of its primary phase on November 20, 1990, successfully completing all planned objectives. 

Mission Timeline & Key Milestones
Proposal Date	N/A
Critical Design Review (CDR) Date	N/A
Assembly Complete Date	N/A
Launch Date	November 15, 1990
Landing / Flyby Date	November 20, 1990 (Landing at KSC)
End of Primary Mission Date	November 20, 1990

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UPSC Relevance of STS-38 Atlantis DoD

• Understanding NASA’s space missions is crucial for UPSC aspirants, as these topics often feature under current science and tech developments.
• NASA’s contributions to global space policy and governance can be discussed under international relations in GS Paper 2.
• GS Paper 4 of the UPSC IAS Exam could present ethical dilemmas regarding public spending on high-risk scientific missions, using NASA’s funding strategies to evaluate responsible resource use.
• The societal, ethical, and scientific dimensions of NASA’s work, including planetary protection and interplanetary travel, are pertinent to Anthropology, Philosophy, and Geography optional papers, helping illustrate human response to unknown frontiers.

Also, Learn about International Space Station (ISS)

Past UPCS Mains PYQs on NASA Space Missions

Q1. Launched on 25th December 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor space telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? (2022, GS Paper 3) 

Q2. How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth? (2017, GS Paper 1)

Q3. The safe landing of the ‘Curiosity’ Rover under NASA’s space programme has sparked many possibilities. What are those and how could humankind benefit from them? (2012, GS Paper 2)

Past UPCS Prelims PYQs on NASA Space Missions

Q1 [2022]: Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in the media?

(a) A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.

(b) A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.

(c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

(d) A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.

Answer: (c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

Explanation: While this question pertains to a military concept, NASAs research into orbital mechanics and space trajectories contributes to the broader understanding of such technologies.

Q2 [2020]: “The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to:

(a) Voyager-2

(b) New Horizons

(c) Lisa Pathfinder

(d) Evolved LISA

Answer: (d) Evolved LISA

Explanation: Evolved LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is a space-based gravitational wave observatory developed by ESA with contributions from NASA.

Q3 [2017]: What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project?

(a) To detect neutrinos

(b) To detect gravitational waves

(c) To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system

(d) To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems

Answer: (b) To detect gravitational waves

Explanation: Evolved Laser Space Interferometer Space Antenna (ELISA) project was widely in the news due to the discovery of gravitational waves by the LIGO detector and the subsequent success of the LISA pathfinder project. The European Space Agency is leading the ELISA mission. The project is initiated to detect and accurately measure gravitational waves.

Q4 [2016]: What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news?

(a) Electric plane tested by NASA

(b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan

(c) Space observatory launched by China

(d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO

Answer: (a) Electric plane tested by NASA
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Explanation: GL-10 is a remotely piloted plane similar to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It is designed and developed in such a way that it can take off like a helicopter and fly like an airplane. It is a battery-powered 10-engine with a wingspan of 3.05 meters. Eight electric motors are mounted on the wings. 2 electric motors are mounted on the tail. It weighs a maximum of 28.1 kilograms at takeoff. Due to its versatile vertical takeoff and landing ability, it produces less noise. It can be used as a UAV for small package delivery or vertical takeoff and landing, as well as long-endurance surveillance for agriculture, mapping, and other applications. Its modified scaled-up version can be used as a persons air vehicle.

Q5 [2015]: The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of:

(a) The limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth

(b) Regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available

(c) Search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

(d) Search for meteorites containing precious metals

Answer: (c) Search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

Explanation: The Goldilocks Zone is the livable zone around a star where the temperature is not too hot and not too cold for liquid water to exist on a planet. It is a metaphor for the childrens story Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in which a young girl selects from sets of three objects, eschewing the extremes (such as those that are enormous or small, hot or cold) and fixing on the one that is just right in the middle. The Goldilocks zone of the Sun surrounds the Earth. All of Earths water would freeze if it were found where the dwarf planet Pluto is; however, all of Earths water would boil out if it were found where Mercury is.

Also, Get to Know What was NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission

UPSC Practice Questions on NASA Space Missions

Q1. Landsat 9 is a joint mission of which of the following organizations?
1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and European Space Agency
2. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and US Geological Survey
3. European Space Agency and US Geological Survey
4. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Indian Space Research Organisation
Answer: option 2
Solution: Landsat 9 is a joint mission of NASA and the US Geological Survey. Recently, NASA has launched an earth monitoring satellite called Landsat 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellite is referred to as NASA's new eye in the sky that will help study climate change. Landsat-9 is the continuation of a series of Earth-observing spacecraft stretching back almost 50 years. The first Landsat satellite was launched in 1972 and since then, Landsat satellites have collected images of earth and helped understand how land usage has changed over the decades. In 2008, it was decided that all Landsat images will be free and publicly available and the policy has helped scores of researchers, farmers, policy analysts, glaciologists, and seismologists. Landsat images have been used to study the health of forests, coral reefs, monitor water quality and melting glaciers. The Landsat 9 joins Landsat 8 that was launched in 2013 and the satellites together will collect images of Earth’s surface. It takes 8 days to capture the whole Earth. Landsat 9 carries instruments similar to the other Landsat satellites, but it is the most technologically advanced satellite of its generation. The instruments aboard Landsat 9 are the Operational Land Imager 2 and the Thermal Infrared Sensor 2. OLI-2 captures sunlight reflected off Earth’s surface and studies the visible, near-infrared, and short wave infrared portions of the spectrum. TIRS-2 has a four-element refractive telescope and photosensitive detectors that capture thermal radiation and help study the Earth’s surface temperature. Along with the European Union’s Sentinel-2 satellites, the Landsat Satellite will provide better estimation of the extent of climate change.

Q2. Under a NASA-ISRO collaborative programme, which of the following university has been chosen to join a research project backed by the Space Application Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation in December 2021?
1. Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Tamil Nadu
2. ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai
3. The Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies
4. West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences
Answer: The Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies
Solution: The Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies has been chosen to join a research project backed by the Space Application Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation under a NASA-ISRO collaborative programme. NASA and ISRO are jointly developing a space-borne synthetic aperture radar to be launched in January 2023. NISAR will produce high-resolution data for large areas.

Q3. Consider the following statements with reference to Artemis I Mission:
1. Artemis I is the first of NASA’s deep space exploration systems.
2. It is an uncrewed space mission where the spacecraft will launch on Space Launch System rocket, the most powerful rocket in the world.
3. With the Artemis Mission, NASA aims to land humans on the moon by 2024.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Solution: Artemis I is the first of NASA’s deep space exploration systems. It is an uncrewed space mission where the spacecraft will launch on Space Launch System rocket, the most powerful rocket in the world and travel 280000 miles from the earth for over four to six weeks during the course of the mission. With the Artemis Mission, NASA aims to land humans on the moon by 2024, and it also plans to land the first woman and first person of colour on the moon.

Q4. On 7 September 2021, NASA announced that the Perseverance rover has completed the collection of the first sample of _______ Mars.
1. soil
2. dust
3. rock
4. snow
Answer: rock
Solution: The Perseverance rover has collected 11 scientifically compelling rock core samples and one atmospheric sample. A core from Jezero Crater is slightly thicker than a pencil.

Q5. To study which one of the following was a spacecraft launched that would be farthest from the Sun and would run exclusively on solar power?
1. Jupiter's Trojan asteroids
2. Saturn's rings and moons
3. Mars' atmosphere
4. Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud
Answer: Jupiter's Trojan asteroids
Solution: Lucy is NASA’s newly launched spacecraft, the US space agency’s first-ever mission to explore distant asteroids and seek out the origin of our solar system. Lucy is the first space mission to study Jupiter's Trojan asteroids and would run exclusively on solar power. The swarms of Trojan asteroids associated with Jupiter are thought to be remnants of the primordial material that formed the outer planets.

Q6. With reference to the Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART Mission, consider the following statements:
1. The mission is to test the new technology to be prepared in case an asteroid heads towards Earth.
2. It is the first demonstration of the kinetic impactor technique to change the motion of an asteroid in space.
3. It is a joint Mission of NASA and the European Space Agency.
Which of the statement given above is/are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, and 3
Answer: 1 and 2 only
Solution: It is NASA’s first planetary defence test mission named the Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART. The mission is to test the new technology to be prepared in case an asteroid heads towards Earth in the future. The aim is to test the newly developed technology that would allow a spacecraft to crash into an asteroid and change its course. DART is the first demonstration of the kinetic impactor technique to change the motion of an asteroid in space.

Q7. In December 2022 which of the following Arab countries launched lunar spacecraft?
1. UAE
2. Saudi Arab
3. Qatar
4. Kuwait
Answer: UAE
Solution: UAE successfully launches first-ever Arab-Built lunar spacecraft. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried into space the first ever Arab-built lunar spacecraft, on 12 Dec 2022. The Rashid Rover was built by Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in the United Arab Emirates and is being delivered by the HAKUTO-R lander, engineered by a Japanese lunar exploration company in space.

Q8. The MAVEN Mission, which was launched in 2013 is related to which of the following?
1. Study the asteroids
2. To know about Venus
3. Study the Martian upper atmosphere.
4. Study the southern part of the Moon
Answer: option 3
Solution: The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution MAVEN mission were launched in 2013. It is the first mission devoted to understanding the Martian upper atmosphere. The goal of this spacecraft is to determine the role that loss of atmospheric gas to space played in changing the Martian climate through time.

Q9. The GREAT instrument onboard NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy measured the ratio of main to heavy oxygen in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. Heavy oxygen contains how many neutrons?
1. 8
2. 10
3. 12
4. 14
Answer: 10
Solution: Heavy oxygen is so called because it has 10 neutrons, rather than the normal eight of main oxygen, the form we breathe. Heavy oxygen is seen as a signature of biological activity, common in the lower atmosphere.

Q10. Recently, In April 2023, A Japanese lunar lander, carrying a rover developed in the United Arab Emirates, attempted to find its footing on the moon's surface and potentially mark the world's first lunar landing. What is the name of the lunar lander?
1. Prabhas
2. Rashid Rover
3. Vyom Mitra
4. Hakuto-R
Answer: Hakuto-R
Solution: A Japanese lunar lander, carrying a rover developed in the United Arab Emirates, attempted to find its footing on the moon's surface, and potentially mark the world's first lunar landing for a commercially developed spacecraft. The spacecraft traveled 870000 miles through space before attempting to land on the moon, and contact with the vehicle was lost during the landing attempt.

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Also, Read about Axiom 4 Mission (Ax-4) for UPSC