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 discuss about Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument for UPSC CSE Examination which was launched to reach Sun and inner heliosphere (instrument on Solar Orbiter), offering new insights into its environment, structure, and scientific relevance.

• Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument, launched on February 10, 2020 (Solar Orbiter launch), is expected to play a pivotal role in space research and technology.  
• The principal objective set forth for this venture is to Image solar wind structures (CMEs, etc) in inner heliosphere. This focus ensures that the mission will deliver high-impact results relevant to pressing global challenges or fundamental scientific inquiries.  
• Successfully completing this Heliospheric imager (instrument on Solar Orbiter mission) was celebrated by many as a significant achievement.  
• The flight path for the Atlas V 411 was charted with extraordinary precision by astrodynamicists. 
• The launch took place at Cape Canaveral, SLC-41, marking the start of the mission. 
• The operation of the mission lasted Ongoing (tied to Solar Orbiter mission). 
• NASA (provides SoloHI for ESA's Solar Orbiter) played a key role in the success of the mission. 
• The mission was Operational. 
• Part of NASA's contribution to Solar Orbiter was spent on Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument, a key NASA initiative supporting deep space autonomy and exploration. 

Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument is equipped with SoloHI (Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager) - wide-angle visible light camera to support scientific innovation and real-time decision-making in space.

Powered by Wide-field imaging for tracking solar wind plasma density structures, Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument aimed to reduce human intervention in complex space operations. In this article, we have break down the critical milestones, international impact, and strategic lessons of NASAs Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument Space Mission, making it an useful resource for UPSC Aspirants in Mains GS Papers 2 and GS Paper 3, as well as for ethics and essay preparation.

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NASA Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument Space Mission Overview 

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

Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument Space Mission Global Contributions

Working alongside ESA (Solar Orbiter lead agency), NASA’s Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument aimed to build a cooperative future for autonomous exploration.

• NASA included SoloHI is a US-provided instrument for the ESA mission in Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument to demonstrate self-directed payload management in space. 
• Naval Research Laboratory (NRL - built SoloHI) played a vital role in building and launching the mission, contributing to its overall success. 
• The use of Data shared via Solar Orbiter archives encouraged collaborative validation of autonomous technologies and mission outcomes. 
• The success of Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument marked a major shift in space policy by Provides unique views linking solar events to heliospheric consequences, promoting broader cooperation in future missions. 

Challenges & Risk in Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument Space Mission

• Mitigating risks like Operating in thermal environment near Sun was essential to ensuring the missions success and preserving scientific goals. 
• Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument has a defined environmental footprint, described as Part of Solar Orbiter spacecraft, which reflects its post-mission trajectory and impact. 

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Mission Timeline of Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument NASA Space Mission

• NASA logged the mission idea as a future candidate on Solar Orbiter selection early 2000s; instrument proposals followed. 
• On Integrated onto Solar Orbiter prior to its launch, engineers completed the integration of all mission components, bringing the spacecraft one step closer to launch. 
• Engineers and scientists celebrated the success of the landing/flyby event on Not applicable, a major milestone for the mission. 
• On Ongoing with Solar Orbiter, all core mission tasks were completed, marking the official end of the spacecraft’s planned journey. 

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

UPSC Relevance of Solar Orbiter SoloHI Instrument

• NASA space missions are frequently covered in the UPSC Prelims, especially under science and technology, due to their importance in current affairs.
• The influence of NASA’s technological advancements on India’s space ambitions can be analyzed in GS Paper 3, particularly in questions on indigenization and self-reliance in space tech.
• UPSC IAS Exam GS Paper 4 may explore ethical implications of using autonomous technologies in space, with NASA missions serving as real-world examples to examine boundaries of human-machine decision-making.
• 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. What is the name of the Planetary Defense Spacecraft launched by NASA in November 2021?
1. Lucy
2. DART
3. Perseverance
4. Ingenuity
Answer: DART
Solution: The world's first planetary defense system called the DART spacecraft was successfully launched by NASA on 24 November 2021. The DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) blasted off aboard a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The target of the spacecraft is a small moonlet called Dimorphos which is about 160-metre in diameter.

Q2. Which one of the following is not a launch vehicle technology?
1. GSLV
2. ASLV
3. PSLV
4. MSLV
Answer: MSLV
Solution: Launch vehicles or launch systems are used to transport spacecraft from the Earth's surface into space. To establish a sustainable orbit, a velocity of roughly Mach 25 or about 8 km/s is required. In 1964 during a test flight, NASA's largest launch vehicle, the Saturn SA-5, sent a record-breaking 19 tonnes into orbit. The development of launch vehicles in India began in the early 1970s. In 1980, the first experimental Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) was built. In 1992, an augmented version of this, ASLV, was successfully introduced.

Q3. Which space organization has rolled out its massive mega Moon rocket to a launch pad on 17 March 2022 for key tests?
1. China National Space Administration CNSA
2. Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO
3. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA
4. National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA
Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA
Solution: NASA rolled out its massive mega Moon rocket to a launch pad on 17 March 2022 for key tests. The 322-foot-tall stack designed to carry out NASA's uncrewed Artemis I mission around the moon and back to Earth is made up of NASA's Space Launch System SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft that sits atop of a mobile launcher. NASA plans to send humans on the moon by 2025.

Q4. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft launched into orbit in November 2020 had three American and one ______ astronaut onboard.
1. Japanese
2. South Korean
3. Russian
4. Chinese
Answer: Japanese
Solution: The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft launched into orbit in November 2020 had three American and one Japanese astronaut onboard. SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule carrying NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and French astronaut Thomas Pesquet launched the Crew-2 mission for NASA and carried the four astronauts to the International Space Station on 23rd April 2021.

Q5. Which of the following is India's first solar mission set to begin in 2022?
1. Solar orbiter mission
2. Gaganyaan
3. Chandrayaan
4. Aditya-L1
Answer: Aditya L1
Solution: Aditya L1 is a planned coronagraphy spacecraft to study the solar atmosphere. It will be inserted in a halo orbit around the L1 point between Earth and Sun where it will study the solar atmosphere, solar magnetic storms, and its impact on the environment around Earth. It is the first dedicated Indian mission to observe the Sun, planned to be launched in January 2023 aboard a PSLV-XL launch vehicle.

Q6. Which of the following is/are correctly matched?
1. Hope Probe - Israel
2. Ingenuity Helicopter - NASA USA
3. Lunar Polar Exploration LUPEX - India
4. Tianwen-1 - China
Select the correct answer from the codes given below
1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 2, 3 and 4 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: 1, 2 and 3 only
Solution: India and Japan are working together on a joint lunar polar exploration LUPEX mission that aims to send a lander and rover to the Moon's South Pole around 2024. The Chinese experiment Tianwen-1 is the first mission to Mars from China, successfully underwent orbital insertion on February 10.

Q7. Hayabusa-2 space mission belongs to which space agency?
1. JAXA
2. NASA
3. C N S A
4. ISRO
Answer: JAXA
Solution: The Hayabusa-2 space mission belongs to JAXA space agency. In December 2014, JAXA launched Hayabusa-2 to collect samples from Ryugu. Hayabusa-2 is a Japanese spacecraft that studied the asteroid Ryugu, took samples, and returned them to Earth for analysis.

Q8. With reference to Artemis I, consider the following statements:
1. It will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration.
2. It is the first uncrewed flight beyond the Moon and return to Earth.
3. NASA aims to contribute to scientific discovery and economic benefits through this mission.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3 only
Answer: 1, 2 and 3 only
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 a 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 contribute to scientific discovery and economic benefits.

Q9. ______ is a joint project between NASA and ISRO to launch a dual frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite.
1. GSAT-12
2. RISAT-1A
3. NISAR
4. GSAT-11
Answer: NISAR
Solution: NISAR is a joint project between NASA and ISRO to launch a dual frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite. The mission aims to provide global measurements of the causes and consequences of land surface changes using advanced radar imaging. The NISAR satellite will be equipped with a dual frequency radar to observe and measure some of the planet's most complex processes, including ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and landslides.

Q10. Consider the following statements regarding Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols Mission MAIA:
1. It is a joint mission between NASA and the Italian Space Agency.
2. It aims to investigate the health impact of air pollution.
3. The duration of the mission is three years.
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 Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols mission is a joint mission between NASA and the Italian Space Agency ASI. It aims to investigate the health impacts of air pollution in the world's most populated cities. The duration of the mission is three years.

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