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. This article focuses about Helios B Probe (Helios 2) which aims on Sun (inner heliosphere, closer perihelion), gathering key information to better understand its current role in ongoing research and spaceflight.

• Helios B Probe (Helios 2) took off on January 15, 1976, beginning a mission that would expand the boundaries of human understanding.  
• The missions objective is ambitious yet crucial: to Study solar wind, magnetic/electric fields, cosmic rays even closer to Sun. This will provide new perspectives and could reshape current theories.  
• The decision to go ahead with this Solar probe was made only after thorough safety checks and many practice runs.  
• The success of the entire mission depended on the Titan IIIE-Centaur working without any problems and providing enough power. 
• Cape Canaveral, LC-41 was the location where the mission was launched. 
• Its total duration was Operated for over 4 years. 
• It was a project spearheaded by West Germany (DFVLR, now DLR), NASA. 
• It ended as Completed (Successful). 

Helios B Probe (Helios 2) is equipped with Similar instrument suite to Helios A to support scientific innovation and real-time decision-making in space.

The Helios B Probe (Helios 2) mission deployed Heat-resistant design for even closer solar approach (029 AU), 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 Helios B Probe (Helios 2) which is useful in UPSC Prelims & UPSC Mains Papers.

Get Free Materials for UPSC Preparation by Testbook!

NASA Helios B Probe (Helios 2) Space Mission Overview 

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

Helios B Probe (Helios 2) Space Mission Global Contributions

West Germany (co-lead, built spacecraft, half of instruments) played a key role in Helios B Probe (Helios 2), contributing to payload development and mission operations.

• Helios B Probe (Helios 2) featured Spacecraft and several instruments from Germany that enabled autonomous calibration, targeting, and sample collection. 
• Companies like MBB (German prime contractor) brought specialized expertise that improved cost-effectiveness and technological performance. 
• Joint data analysis and publication played a key role in maximizing the impact of mission data through shared scientific analysis. 
• Helios B Probe (Helios 2) had a significant impact on global space policy as Broke own record for closest solar approach, influencing international collaboration and setting new standards for space exploration. 

Challenges & Risk in Helios B Probe (Helios 2) Space Mission

The complexity of Helios B Probe (Helios 2) increased due to issues like Higher thermal loads than Helios A, but thanks to swift identification and mitigation techniques, the mission was able to continue its objectives with minimal disruption.

• Among the primary risk factors for Helios B Probe (Helios 2) was Surviving even more extreme solar environment, which was identified early and strategically resolved. 
• The environmental footprint of Helios B Probe (Helios 2) is best summarized as Remains in solar orbit (inactive), contributing to long-term mission impact assessments. 

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

Mission Timeline of Helios B Probe (Helios 2) NASA Space Mission

• On Late 1960s, the initial mission outline was submitted to NASA leadership. 
• The spacecraft achieved its landing/flyby on Multiple solar perihelia, closest April 1976, enabling high-resolution imaging and data collection from the target zone. 
• On Early 1980 (Operations ceased), mission control confirmed that all key milestones were achieved, closing the primary phase of the mission. 

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

UPSC Relevance of Helios B Probe (Helios 2)

• 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.
• 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.
• NASA’s advancements in Earth observation, international collaboration, and planetary exploration serve as rich case studies in Geography, PSIR, and Public Administration optional papers, particularly when discussing global commons and policy frameworks.

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. Consider the following statements about the James Webb Space Telescope.
1. It is a large infrared telescope that will study every phase in the history of the Universe.
2. It will orbit the Earth as it is positioned at the second Lagrange point or L2, approximately 1.5 million kilometers away from the Earth.
Select the correct statement(s):
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None of the above

Answer: 1 only
Solution: Statement 1 is correct as the James Webb Space Telescope is indeed a large infrared telescope designed to study various phases of the Universe's history. Statement 2 is incorrect because the JWST orbits the Sun at the second Lagrange point, not the Earth.

Q2. Curiosity rover, of which organization, found new evidence of an ancient lake in the form of rocks etched with the ripples of waves in the foothills of a Martian mountain?
1. ESA
2. NASA
3. Roscosmos
4. JAXA

Answer: NASA
Solution: NASA's Curiosity rover discovered evidence of an ancient lake on Mars, indicated by rocks showing ripples from waves.

Q3. 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, or 18O, contains 10 neutrons, while the normal oxygen, or 16O, has 8 neutrons.

Q4. Consider the following statements about Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment GRACE
1. The GRACE mission is Jointly launched by NASA and ISRO.
2. The objective of this mission is to monitor and study Earth's gravity field and its changes over time.
3. The GRACE mission is used for monitoring the Earth's Resources, it can detect changes in the amount of water stored in the form of groundwater, surface water, and ice.
Choose the correct statement/s from the option given below:
1. 1 and 2 are Correct.
2. 2 and 3 are Correct
3. 1 and 3 are Correct.
4. All of the above

Answer: 2 and 3 are Correct
Solution: Statement 1 is incorrect as the GRACE mission was jointly launched by NASA and the German Aerospace Center, not ISRO. Statements 2 and 3 are correct as the mission's objective is to monitor Earth's gravity field and detect changes in water resources.

Q5. The fault that occurred in which spacecraft has led to the delayed comeback of Sunita Williams to earth from space?
1. SpaceX Dragon
2. Soyuz 1A
3. Boeing Starliner
4. NASA Orion

Answer: Boeing Starliner
Solution: The Boeing Starliner spacecraft experienced technical issues that delayed the return of astronauts, including Sunita Williams, to Earth.

Q6. Which one of the following missions aims to revolutionize commercial spaceflight with a high-orbit mission and the first-ever private spacewalk by non-professional astronauts?
1. Artemis I
2. Inspiration4
3. Polaris Dawn
4. Axiom Mission 1

Answer: Polaris Dawn
Solution: Polaris Dawn is designed to push the boundaries of commercial spaceflight and will feature the first-ever private spacewalk by non-professional astronauts.

Q7. The NEEMO program, which conducts analog space missions in underwater environments, is an initiative of which country?
1. Japan
2. Russia
3. Germany
4. United States

Answer: United States
Solution: The NEEMO program, which simulates space mission conditions in underwater habitats, is conducted by NASA in the United States.

Q8. Which organization led the design and development of James Webb Space Telescope JWST?
1. Canadian Space Agency
2. SpaceX
3. Russian Federal Space Agency
4. NASA

Answer: NASA
Solution: NASA led the design, development, and implementation of the James Webb Space Telescope, collaborating with the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding Saturn:
1. Saturn is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, whereas its rings consist of billions of pieces of bright-white water ice and rock.
2. Only four spacecraft have visited Saturn, all launched by NASA.
3. NASA launched the Clipper mission to study Saturn's moon Europa, which is similarly dynamically linked to Saturn and contains a subsurface ocean as well.
Which of the statements 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: option 1
Solution: Statement 1 is correct as Saturn is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, and its rings are made of ice and rock. Statement 2 is also correct as only four NASA spacecraft have visited Saturn. Statement 3 is incorrect as the Clipper mission is aimed at studying Jupiter's moon Europa, not Saturn.

Q10. Consider the following statements regarding the safety protocols followed during human spaceflight, particularly in the context of ISRO's Gaganyaan mission:
1. The Crew Escape System CES on ISRO's human-rated launch vehicle is designed to pull the crew module away from the launch vehicle in case of a malfunction, using solid fuel engines.
2. The Gaganyaan crew module, in orbit, will use onboard thrusters to attempt reentry in case of an emergency and control its descent.
3. After docking with a space station, the crew module remains docked and serves as a lifeboat for the crew in case of an emergency aboard the station.
How many of the above statements are correct?
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer: All three
Solution: All three statements are correct. The Crew Escape System is designed to pull the crew module away in case of a malfunction, the crew module can use onboard thrusters for emergency reentry, and it serves as a lifeboat after docking with a space station.

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