NASA (which stands for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is the main U.S. agency for space exploration. It was started back in 1958, partly because the Soviet Union had just launched Sputnik, the first satellite. NASA is a world leader in exploring space, doing everything from building satellites and sending people into space to exploring other planets and carrying out advanced science. What NASA does helps create new technologies we can all use and encourages countries to work together peacefully in space.

In this article, we will discuss about STS-8 Challenger for UPSC CSE Examination which was launched to reach Earth (orbital flight), offering new insights into its environment, structure, and scientific relevance.

• STS-8 Challenger, launched on August 30, 1983, is expected to play a pivotal role in space research and technology.  
• This projects fundamental objective, to Deploy INSAT-1B; first African American in space; night launch/landing, addresses key scientific questions that have long intrigued researchers in the field.  
• The unique difficulties of a Crewed satellite deployment and test flight required the whole team to think creatively to find solutions.  
• The flight path for the Space Shuttle (Challenger OV-099) was charted with extraordinary precision by astrodynamicists. 
• The mission began with a launch from Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A, Florida. 
• The mission continued for 6 days, 1 hour, 8 minutes, 43 seconds before concluding. 
• The operation was carried out under the leadership of NASA. 
• Mission result: Completed (Successful). 

With INSAT-1B satellite, Payload Flight Test Article (PFTA), STS-8 Challenger demonstrates the next generation of smart payloads for exploratory missions.

To achieve autonomy objectives, STS-8 Challenger integrated Night launch and landing procedures, Canadarm tests, advancing NASA’s capabilities in onboard processing and intelligent control systems. In this article, lets understand more about Objectives, Key Technologies Used and Commercial Involvement Faced in NASAs STS-8 Challenger which is useful in UPSC Prelims & UPSC Mains Papers.

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NASA STS-8 Challenger Space Mission Overview 

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

STS-8 Challenger Space Mission Global Contributions

STS-8 Challenger was developed in collaboration with India (INSAT-1B), emphasizing global cooperation in advancing space autonomy.

• STS-8 Challenger carried INSAT-1B satellite from India designed to enable new research capabilities and reduce reliance on Earth-based operations. 
• Companies like Ford Aerospace (INSAT-1B) brought specialized expertise that improved cost-effectiveness and technological performance. 
• The global significance of STS-8 Challenger was reflected in its role as First night operations; Guion Bluford's historic flight, influencing the way nations coordinate and plan space missions. 

Challenges & Risk in STS-8 Challenger Space Mission

A major obstacle during the execution of STS-8 Challenger involved First night launch and landing of Shuttle, but it was effectively addressed through collaborative team efforts and reconfiguration of mission protocols.

• Despite hurdles such as Testing operations in darkness, SRB near-malfunction discovered post-flight, STS-8 Challenger proceeded as planned with only minor adjustments. 

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Mission Timeline of STS-8 Challenger NASA Space Mission

• Engineers and scientists celebrated the success of the landing/flyby event on September 5, 1983 (Landing at Edwards AFB), a major milestone for the mission. 
• On September 5, 1983, mission control confirmed that all key milestones were achieved, closing the primary phase of the mission. 

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UPSC Relevance of STS-8 Challenger

• Scientific advancements and innovations by NASA are a recurring theme in the UPSC Prelims, reflecting their global significance. 
• The application of space-based data for disaster management and weather forecasting—an area where NASA contributes significantly—is important for GS Paper 3.
• The UPSC CSE Ethics Paper (GS Paper 4) might include prompts on international cooperation in space missions, using NASA-led partnerships to discuss shared ethical standards across cultures and governments.
• In the UPSC CSE Optional Papers, topics from NASA Space Missions are highly relevant across disciplines, offering insights into global cooperation, technological ethics, and environmental impacts—useful for Geography, PSIR, and Philosophy optionals alike.

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. Which of the following missions are related to exploring the various facets of the Moon?
1. Artemis-I
2. Chang'e 4 project
3. VIPER Mission
4. Hope Mission
5. Crew 2 Mission
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
1. 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
2. 2, 4 and 5 only
3. 1, 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

Answer: 1, 2, and 3 only
Solution: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States is set to launch the Artemis-1 mission, which will take humans back to the Moon after more than half a century. Artemis-1 will be NASA's first non-crew mission to the Moon in recent history, paving the stage for the human orbital mission (Artemis-2) and manned landing mission (Artemis 3) in 2025. Chang'e 4 is the fourth mission in China's lunar mission series which is named after the Chinese moon goddess. The tasks of the Chang'e-4 probe include low-frequency radio astronomical observation, surveying the terrain and landforms, detecting the mineral composition, and measuring the neutron radiation and neutral atoms to study the environment on the far side of the moon. VIPER stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover. It is a mobile robot. Its objectives include exploring the Moon's South Pole region, helping create lunar resource maps, evaluating the concentration of water as well as other potential resources on its surface, and understanding if it is possible for human life to sustain there, by using locally available resources.

Q2. 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: 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 10 neutrons, rather than the normal eight of main oxygen, the form we breathe.

Q3. The PSLV C34 rocket was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota to put 22 satellites into orbit. This has happened for the first time in the history of _______.
1. NASA
2. Roscosmos
3. ISRO
4. CSA

Answer: ISRO
Solution: The PSLV C34 rocket was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota to put 22 satellites into orbit. This marks a significant achievement for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE):
1. It is an experimental attempt by ISRO aimed at studying the interactions between terrestrial and Space weather.
2. It will study the links between how waves in the lower layers of the atmosphere impact the upper atmosphere.
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: 2
Solution: AWE is a first-of-its-kind NASA experimental attempt aimed at studying the interactions between terrestrial and Space weather. It will study the links between how waves in the lower layers of the atmosphere impact the upper atmosphere.

Q5. Consider the following statements about NISAR:
1. It is a microwave remote sensing satellite for Earth observation.
2. It is a joint mission of India and USA.
3. Its full form is NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar.
4. It is targeted for launch onboard India’s GSLV.
Which of the statement given above is/are correct?
1. Only statement 2 and 4
2. Statement 2 and 3
3. Only statement 1, 3, 4
4. All are correct

Answer: All are correct
Solution: NISAR is a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). It is a microwave remote sensing satellite for Earth observation, and it is targeted for launch onboard India’s GSLV.

Q6. What is the name of the first spacecraft to land on the moon since 1972, launched by the United States in partnership with a Texas-based private company?
1. Apollo Nexus
2. Lunar Pioneer
3. Artemis
4. Odysseus

Answer: Odysseus
Solution: The United States has pulled off its first lunar landing in more than half a century with a spacecraft named Odysseus, built and operated by a Texas-based private company.

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft:
1. It is a joint mission of ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA.
2. It was launched in December 1995 to study the Sun and the dynamics in its outer atmosphere, called the corona.
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: option 3
Solution: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is a collaborative project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. It was launched in December 1995 to conduct detailed observations of the Sun and its outer atmosphere.

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Axiom Mission 4:
1. Axiom Mission 4 is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS), organized in collaboration with NASA.
2. The flight will use a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and will last for 14 days.
3. Two Indian astronauts have been chosen for the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: Option 4
Solution: Axiom Mission 4 is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station organized in collaboration with NASA. The flight will use a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and will last for 14 days. Two Indian astronauts have been chosen for the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS.

Q9. Which NASA mission recently made a historic close approach to the Sun at a distance of 6.1 million kilometers?
1. Voyager 1
2. Parker
3. Juno
4. Axiom 4

Answer: Parker Solar Probe
Solution: NASA's Parker Solar Probe safely completed its closest-ever approach to the Sun at a distance of 6.1 million kilometers.

Q10. Which space mission will Shubhanshu Shukla pilot to the International Space Station?
1. Artemis 2
2. Polaris A
3. Axiom 4
4. Gaganyaan

Answer: Axiom Mission 4
Solution: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station. This mission is set to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida no earlier than spring 2025.

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