NASAs space missions often make us think about important ethical questions, like how to explore space responsibly, making sure we dont harm other planets (planetary protection), and how to design machines that can make decisions on their own. Thinking about these issues helps us consider how to do things the right way, be accountable, and serve the public good.

In this article we have covered about STS-2 Columbia for UPSC CSE Examination which will operate in or around Earth (orbital flight), offering an in-depth look at its orbital dynamics, onboard experiments, and contributions to our understanding of space.

• STS-2 Columbia took off on November 12, 1981, beginning a mission that would expand the boundaries of human understanding.  
• With a clearly defined scientific objective—namely, to Second Space Shuttle test flight; test Canadarm—the team is poised to gather unprecedented data and significantly advance our understanding.  
• Engineers and scientists decided this operation was a Crewed orbital test flight, which guided all the planning that came after.  
• The flight path for the Space Shuttle (Columbia OV-102) was charted with extraordinary precision by astrodynamicists. 
• The missions departure point was Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A, where the launch was successfully carried out. 
• Its total duration was 2 days, 6 hours, 13 minutes, 12 seconds. 
• NASA was responsible for launching and monitoring the mission. 
• The mission was Completed (Successful, though shortened). 

STS-2 Columbia carries OSTA-1 (Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications-1) pallet, Canadarm for advanced measurements, enabling deeper insights into planetary systems and space conditions.

The STS-2 Columbia mission deployed Reusable orbiter, first reflight of a spacecraft, Canadarm tests, enabling next-generation robotic performance in unpredictable space environments. In this article, lets understand more about Objectives, Data Sharing Agreements and Challenges Faced in NASAs STS-2 Columbia which is useful in UPSC Prelims & UPSC Mains Papers.

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NASA STS-2 Columbia Space Mission Overview 

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

STS-2 Columbia Space Mission Global Contributions

Working alongside Canada (Canadarm), NASA’s STS-2 Columbia aimed to build a cooperative future for autonomous exploration.

• STS-2 Columbia featured Canadarm provided by Canada that enabled autonomous calibration, targeting, and sample collection. 
• Rockwell International (orbiter) played a vital role in building and launching the mission, contributing to its overall success. 
• STS-2 Columbia exemplified a key milestone in policy evolution by Demonstrated reusability of Space Shuttle, advancing the regulation of autonomous and defense-oriented technologies in space. 

Challenges & Risk in STS-2 Columbia Space Mission

A major obstacle during the execution of STS-2 Columbia involved Fuel cell failure led to mission being cut short, but it was effectively addressed through collaborative team efforts and reconfiguration of mission protocols.

• The mission had to manage critical challenges like First reflight; mission shortened due to fuel cell issue, which were addressed through engineering refinements and contingency strategies. 

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Mission Timeline of STS-2 Columbia NASA Space Mission

• On Shuttle program approved early 1970s, the initial mission outline was submitted to NASA leadership. 
• On November 14, 1981 (Landing at Edwards AFB), the spacecraft reached its designated target, transmitting valuable data back to Earth. 
• On November 14, 1981, mission control confirmed that all key milestones were achieved, closing the primary phase of the mission. 

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UPSC Relevance of STS-2 Columbia

• The UPSC Prelims gives significant weight to space missions like those by NASA, reflecting their role in advancing science and technology.
• The application of space-based data for disaster management and weather forecasting—an area where NASA contributes significantly—is important for GS Paper 3.
• In the UPSC CSE General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude), NASA’s practice of making satellite and mission data publicly accessible can be used to illustrate institutional commitment to transparency.
• Optional papers such as Anthropology, Geography, and Philosophy can use NASA’s deep space missions to examine human adaptability, technological ethics, and questions of existential risk and sustainability in modern science.

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. Consider the following statements regarding Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
1. Its objective is to aid in the understanding of dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics
2. It will be situated or parked in the Lagrange point
3. Its field view will be greater than the Hubble Telescope
Which of the above statements 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: The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope aims to address key astrophysics questions about dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics. It will be located at Lagrange point 2, a stable gravitational point between Earth and the Sun. Additionally, its field of view is expected to be significantly larger than that of the Hubble Telescope.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Shenzhou 16 mission recently in the news
1. Shenzhou 16 is a Chinese spaceflight to the Tiangong space station
2. The Shenzhou-16 crew will replace the three-member crew of the Shenzhou-15 which was sent last year
3. This is China's fifth manned mission to its now fully functional space station since 2021 and it's also the first time China has sent a civilian into orbit
How many of the given above statements are correct
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None
Answer: All three
Solution: Shenzhou 16 is indeed a Chinese spaceflight to the Tiangong space station, replacing the crew of Shenzhou 15. This mission marks China's fifth manned mission to the space station and the first time a civilian has been sent into orbit.

Q3. Which among the following is a recent scientific mission of ISRO comprehensive study of the Sun
1. Aditya - L1
2. Bhaskara - L2
3. Solar Mission - L1
4. Solar Orbiter
Answer: Option 1
Solution: Aditya L1 is India's first scientific expedition aimed at studying the Sun. It is categorized as a 400kg-class satellite and will be launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in XL configuration.

Q4. Recently NASA has partnered with which one among the following countries to launch Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols MAIA Mission
1. Russia
2. U.S.A.
3. Italy
4. Japan
Answer: Italy
Solution: NASA has partnered with the Italian Space Agency ASI to build and launch the MAIA mission, which aims to investigate the health impacts of air pollution in the world's most populated cities.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the features of NISAR Satellite
1. The S-band payload has been made by the US and the L-band by the ISRO
2. It can completely map earth in 14-15 days and capable of monitoring the vegetation cover and snow cover
Which of the above statements is/are correct
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: 2 Only
Solution: The NISAR mission represents a collaboration between NASA and ISRO, with the L-band payload developed by NASA and the S-band by ISRO. The satellite can monitor the vegetation cover and snow cover and will map the Earth every 14-15 days.

Q6. Which company has been chosen by NASA to develop the US Deorbit Vehicle for the International Space Station
1. Blue Origin
2. Boeing
3. SpaceX
4. ISRO
Answer: SpaceX
Solution: NASA awarded SpaceX an 843 million dollar contract to develop a US Deorbit Vehicle designed to safely bring the International Space Station out of orbit, ensuring a controlled re-entry into the Pacific Ocean's Point Nemo by 2030.

Q7. What is the name of the SpaceX mission that aims to test new space technologies and involve a spacewalk by non-government astronauts
1. Polaris Dawn
2. Inspiration4
3. Starship Alpha 1
4. Artemis 4
Answer: Polaris Dawn
Solution: SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, launching August 26, 2024, will send a private crew, including Jared Isaacman, to altitudes of 870 miles, entering Earth's radiation belts.

Q8. Consider the following space stations
1. International Space Station
2. Tiangong Space Station
3. Bharatiya Anthariksh Station BAS-1
How many of the above-mentioned space stations are currently in orbit
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. None
Answer: option 2
Solution: The International Space Station and the Tiangong Space Station are currently operational and in orbit. The Bharatiya Anthariksh Station is still under development and not yet in orbit.

Q9. What is the name of NASA's mission launched to explore Jupiter's moon Europa
1. Galileo Clipper
2. Europa Explorer
3. Juno Clipper
4. Europa Clipper
Answer: Europa Clipper
Solution: NASA launched the Europa Clipper mission to study Jupiter's moon Europa, focusing on its icy surface and potential subsurface ocean.

Q10. Where did ISRO launch India's first analog space mission to simulate interplanetary habitat conditions
1. Bengaluru, Karnataka
2. Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
3. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
4. Leh, Ladakh
Answer: Leh, Ladakh
Solution: ISRO launched India's first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh, to simulate conditions similar to those on Mars and the Moon, testing various technologies and studying behavioral aspects in extreme environments.

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