NASA believes in sharing its scientific findings openly. The information from its satellites is used by people all over the world to watch over the environment, deal with disasters, and study our climate. By being open and sharing what it learns with everyone, NASA helps make sure science is fair and benefits people everywhere. With Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST), NASA seeks to deepen our knowledge of Deep Space (observing gamma-ray sources), exploring its capabilities, environment, and contributions to space exploration.

• The successful launch of Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST) on June 11, 2008 set the stage for important scientific advancements.  
• The principal objective set forth for this venture is to Study high-energy phenomena: blazars, pulsars, dark matter searches. This focus ensures that the mission will deliver high-impact results relevant to pressing global challenges or fundamental scientific inquiries.  
• Everyone involved, including the crew and ground control, was very dedicated because they knew it was a Astrophysics satellite (gamma-ray observatory) with special goals.  
• The success of the entire mission depended on the Delta II 7920H working without any problems and providing enough power. 
• The spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral, LC-17B, heading into orbit. 
• It remained active for Ongoing. 
• The mission was organized and implemented by NASA, DOE, international partners (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden). 
• According to NASA records, the mission was Operational. 
• ~$690 million was spent on Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST), a key NASA initiative supporting deep space autonomy and exploration. 

The payload of Large Area Telescope (LAT), Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) aboard Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST) enhances both mission autonomy and scientific output.

Advanced particle detectors for high-energy gamma rays were essential to Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST), supporting navigation, real-time data analysis, and autonomous mission control. This comprehensive article on NASA Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST) Space mission helps UPSC aspirants understand the full life cycle of a modern space mission which is relevant for GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3, GS Paper 4, and Essay.

Get Free Materials for UPSC Preparation by Testbook!

NASA Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST) Space Mission Overview 

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

Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST) Space Mission Global Contributions

NASA partnered with Significant contributions from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden to LAT for Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST), strengthening international efforts in robotic space exploration.

• LAT built by international collaboration were integrated into Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST), enhancing the mission’s scientific capabilities and autonomous performance. 
• NASA relied on General Dynamics (spacecraft), SLAC (LAT integration/ops) to supply major components for the spacecraft and launch systems, enhancing mission efficiency. 
• All data publicly available helped unify efforts across space agencies and research institutions, advancing shared knowledge and global capabilities. 
• Through Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST), NASA achieved Major discoveries in high-energy astrophysics, including new pulsars, helping establish international precedent for data access, planetary defense, and cooperative science. 

Challenges & Risk in Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST) Space Mission

One of the most significant technical challenges faced by Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST) was One solar panel drive motor stalled (operations adapted), which was successfully mitigated using a combination of onboard automation and ground-based support systems.

• Mitigating risks like Maintaining instrument performance over long duration was essential to ensuring the missions success and preserving scientific goals. 
• The long-term presence or disposal of Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST) is summarized by its Operational in Earth orbit, an important aspect of mission planning. 

Download UPSC Previous Year Question Paper PDFs for UPSC Prelims & Mains!

Mission Timeline of Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST) NASA Space Mission

• The mission concept was officially proposed on Mid-1990s. 
• The spacecraft achieved its landing/flyby on Not applicable, enabling high-resolution imaging and data collection from the target zone. 
• The NASA space mission reached the end of its primary phase on August 2013 (End of 5-year prime mission), successfully completing all planned objectives. 

Get to Know the detailed UPSC Syllabus for IAS Prelims & Mains Exam!

UPSC Relevance of Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST)

• Understanding NASA’s space missions is crucial for UPSC aspirants, as these topics often feature under current science and tech developments.
• The application of space-based data for disaster management and weather forecasting—an area where NASA contributes significantly—is important for GS Paper 3.
• UPSC CSE GS Paper 4 (Ethics) could present case studies based on the teamwork and leadership displayed during high-stakes NASA missions, assessing ethical decision-making in extreme environments.
• From the use of satellite imagery in remote sensing (Geography) to space-based diplomacy (PSIR) and organizational leadership in mission planning (Public Administration), NASA missions support diverse analytical frameworks across optional papers.

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
educationprovince.com

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. ISROs Mangalyaan completed how many years in Martian orbit on September 24, 2017?
1. 1 year
2. 2 years
3. 3 years
4. 4 years
Answer: 3
Solution: ISROs Mangalyaan completed 3 years in Martian orbit on September 24, 2017. The Mars Orbiter Mission MOM, also called Mangalyaan is a space probe orbiting Mars since 24 September 2014. It was launched on 5 November 2013 by the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO. It is Indias first interplanetary mission. It made it the fourth space agency to reach Mars, after Roscosmos, NASA, and the European Space Agency. It made India the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit. The Mars Orbiter Mission probe lifted-off from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre Andhra Pradesh. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV rocket C25 was used to launch it.

Q2. Consider the following statements.
1. Boeing and SpaceX were selected by NASA in September 2014 to develop transportation systems meant to transfer crew from the US to the ISS.
2. Crew-1 mission is part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: Both 1 and 2
Solution: Boeing and SpaceX were selected by NASA in September 2014 to develop transportation systems meant to transfer crew from the US to the ISS. Hence statement 1 is correct. The Crew-1 mission is part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program, whose objective is to make access to space easier in terms of its cost, so that cargo and crew can be easily transported to and from the ISS, enabling greater scientific research. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Q3. The Crew-1 mission is related with which space agency?
1. NASA
2. Space-X
3. European Space Agency
4. ISRO
Answer: Space-X
Solution: The Crew-1 mission launched by SpaceX. Hence Option 2 is Correct. The mission is part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program, whose objective is to make access to space easier in terms of its cost. This will carry four astronauts on NASA missions, maintaining a space station crew of seven to maximize time dedicated to scientific research on the orbiting laboratory. With this, the cargo and crew can be easily transported to. The members of the crew will conduct microgravity studies and deliver new science hardware to ISS. Once in orbit, NASA astronauts will collect samples to provide data to scientists back on Earth so that they can continue to study how dietary changes affect his body. The crew will also study the effects of dietary improvements on immune function and the gut microbiome and how those improvements can help crews adapt to spaceflight.

Q4. When did SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket launch the SkySats 19, 20 and 21?
1. April 18, 2020
2. April 13, 2020
3. August 18, 2020
4. March 13, 2020
Answer: August 18, 2020
Solution: On August 18, 2020, SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket launched SkySats 19, 20, and 21 on yet another successful Starlink rideshare mission. Much like SkySats 16-18, which were launched by SpaceX on June 13, 2020, SkySats 19-21 were successfully injected into a drop-off orbit of approximately 207 x 370 km, 53-degree inclination.

Q5. SpaceX Demo-2 mission, recently seen in the news, is an initiative of which of the following agency?
1. NASA
2. European Space Agency
3. ISRO
4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Answer: NASA
Solution: On May 27, NASAs SpaceX Demo-2 test flight will lift off for the International Space Station ISS, becoming the first crewed flight to launch from American soil since the conclusion of the space shuttle era in 2011. The Demo-2 mission is part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program and will fly two astronauts on SpaceXs Crew Dragon spacecraft. This mission is essentially a flight test to certify if SpaceXs crew transportation system can be used to ferry crew to and from the space station regularly. This is the final flight test for the system and intends to validate its different components, including the spacecraft Crew Dragon, the launch vehicle Falcon 9, the launch pad LC-39A, and the operations capabilities.

Q6. Zhurong, recently in news is related to
1. Tribal festival in Assam
2. Chinas first Mars rover
3. Port in Maldives
4. None of the above
Answer: Chinas first Mars rover
Solution: Chinas first Mars rover will be named Zhurong after a traditional fire god. The rover is aboard the Tianwen-1 probe that arrived in Mars orbit on February 24 and is due to land in May to look for evidence of life. China in 2019 became the first country to land a space probe on the little-explored far side of the moon and in December returned lunar rocks to Earth for the first time since the 1970s. China would become the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to put a robot rover on Mars.

Q7. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
1. Tianwen-1 Japan
2. Hope USA
3. Mars 2020 Russian Federation
4. None of the above
Answer: None of the above
Solution: The Tianwen-1 Spacecraft was lifted off on a Long March 5 rocket, from the Wenchang launch centre in July 2020. The lander from Tianwen-1 has touched down on Utopia Planitia, a large plain in the northern hemisphere of Mars. The mission will be the first to place a ground-penetrating radar on the Martian surface, which will be able to study local geology, as well as rock, ice, and dirt distribution. The UAE's Mars Mission called Hope was announced in 2015 with the aim of creating mankind's first integrated model of the Red planets Mars atmosphere. Hence, pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Hope was developed by UAE scientists in the USA and was launched in July 2020 from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan. The mission will collect data on Martian climate dynamics and help scientists understand why Mars atmosphere is decaying into space. The mission is designed to better understand the geology of Mars and seek signs of ancient life. National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASAs Perseverance Rover has landed on Mars. This was one of the most crucial aspects of the Mars 2020 Mission. Hence, pair 3 is incorrectly matched.

Q8. Which of the following institution announced its two new robotic missions namely Davinci+ and Veritas, to Venus to examine the atmosphere and geological features on the planet?
1. European Space Agency ESA
2. Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO
3. National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA
4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA
Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA
Solution: NASA has selected two missions to the planet Venus, Earths nearest neighbour. The missions called DAVINCI+ and VERITAS have been selected based on their potential for scientific value and the feasibility of their development plans. NASA is expected to allot 500 million dollars to each of these missions that will launch between 2028-2030. Davinci+ is Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging mission. It will measure the atmosphere of Venus to gain insight into how it formed and evolved. It also seeks to determine whether Venus ever had an ocean. This mission is called Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy. It will map the surface of Venus to understand its geologic history. It will also investigate how it developed differently than Earth. It will use a form of radar to investigate surface elevations and will discover if volcanoes and earthquakes are still happening.

Q9. The term Inspiration4 sometimes mentioned in the news recently is related to
1. It is the first all-civilian, non-governmental spaceflight.
2. It is an indigenous missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation
3. It is a satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation
4. It is NASAs mars exploration program.
Answer: option 1
Solution: SpaceX announced that Inspiration4, its first all-civilian, non-governmental spaceflight, is on track for launch on September 15. Inspiration4 is the worlds first all-civilian mission to orbit. The flight will be privately operated by SpaceX US Private Space Company using a previously-flown Crew Dragon capsule launched to low Earth orbit. Inspiration4 will blast off from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 15. The mission involves circling the Earth for three days and then splashing down into the Atlantic Ocean. Inspiration4 will orbit the Earth at 575km, higher than the International Space Station 408km and the Hubble space telescope 547km. This will be the farthest distance travelled by a crewed mission since 2009, when astronauts last went to repair the Hubble. The mission will raise awareness and funds for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in the US.

Q10. 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 USGS
3. European Space Agency and US Geological Survey USGS
4. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Indian Space Research Organisation
Answer: option 2
Solution: Recently, NASA has launched an earth monitoring satellite called Landsat 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellite is a joint mission of NASA and the US Geological Survey USGS. This satellite is referred to as NASAs 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 Earths 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 OLI-2 and the Thermal Infrared Sensor 2 TIRS-2. OLI-2: It captures sunlight reflected off Earths surface and studies the visible, near-infrared, and short wave infrared portions of the spectrum. TIRS-2: It has a four-element refractive telescope and photosensitive detectors that capture thermal radiation and help study the Earths surface temperature. Along with the European Unions Sentinel-2 satellites, the Landsat Satellite will provide better estimation of the extent of climate change.

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