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 detailed article, we will learn about the Artemis II mission which will travel to Moon, aiming to examine its operational features, onboard systems, and relevance for international collaboration.

• NASA’s Artemis II lifted off on April 2026, embarking on a critical journey beyond Earth.  
• The principal objective set forth for this venture is to First crewed flight of Orion, lunar flyby. This focus ensures that the mission will deliver high-impact results relevant to pressing global challenges or fundamental scientific inquiries.  
• Engineers and scientists decided this operation was a Crewed lunar flyby, which guided all the planning that came after.  
• The flight path for the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1 was charted with extraordinary precision by astrodynamicists. 
• Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39B was the location where the mission was launched. 
• The mission was carried out over a period of Approximately 10 days. 
• NASA, ESA, JAXA, MBRSC, CSA played a key role in the success of the mission. 
• The mission was Planned/In development. 
• The mission had an estimated cost of Program cost $93 billion through 2025, aiming to expand humanity’s reach into deep space. 

Five CubeSats from international partners onboard Artemis II are set to revolutionize autonomous science operations during long-duration missions.

Artemis II relied on SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, life support systems to achieve greater operational independence and efficiency in unstructured space settings. In this article, we’ve explored every phase of Artemis II—from its initial proposal to its mission completion which will give UPSC aspirants a complete perspective valuable for UPSC Mains GS Papers 2, 3, 4, and the Essay Paper.

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NASA Artemis II Space Mission Overview 

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

Artemis II Space Mission Global Contributions

NASA partnered with Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for Artemis II, strengthening international efforts in robotic space exploration.

• Artemis II carried European Service Module for Orion designed to enable new research capabilities and reduce reliance on Earth-based operations. 
• Through partnerships with SpaceX (Starship HLS for later missions), Axiom Space (spacesuits), NASA integrated private sector innovations to streamline spacecraft development and deployment. 
• With Artemis II, NASA’s innovative efforts led to Reestablish human presence on Moon, prepare for Mars, reinforcing commitments to international space treaties. 

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Challenges & Risk in Artemis II Space Mission

Artemis II overcame mission-threatening issues such as Heat shield anomalies, life support system issues, delays by deploying alternative systems, refining software behavior, and executing contingency strategies developed during pre-launch testing.

• Artemis II navigated technical risks, including Addressing heat shield, life support, battery issues, by deploying robust backup protocols and hardware redundancy. 

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Mission Timeline of Artemis II NASA Space Mission

• The mission concept was officially proposed on Program formally established 2017 (Space Policy Directive 1). 
• NASA officially concluded the spacecraft assembly on Core stage integrated March 2025, ensuring full structural integrity before further evaluations. 
• The mission safely reached its landing/flyby destination on Lunar flyby planned during mission, staying on track with the projected timeline. 
• Although the primary mission officially ended on Approximately 10 days after launch, there was potential for continued data collection and extended operations. 

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UPSC Relevance of Artemis II

• NASA’s recent explorations and technological feats are directly relevant to the science and tech portion of the UPSC Prelims exam.
• In GS Paper 3, NASA missions serve as examples to explain concepts such as innovation, sustainability, and the ethical use of advanced technologies.
• 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.
• 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
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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 statements is are correct regarding the Perseverance Rover?
1. It is a mission developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
2. The mission is designed to better understand the geology of Mars and seek signs of ancient life.
3. It is the most advanced, most expensive and most sophisticated mobile laboratory sent to Mars.

Select the correct answer by using the codes given below.
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: 2 and 3 only
Solution:
NASA's Perseverance rover has successfully collected its first rock sample for return to Earth. NASA has called it a perfect core sample. NASA plans to launch more spacecraft to retrieve the samples collected by Perseverance. Perseverance arrived in February 2021 at Mars Jezero Crater, the site on an ancient lake - in search of rocks that might hold evidence of ancient life.

Q2. Cygnus spacecraft launched by NASA is seen recently in the context of
1. It uses solar power to enter into its desired orbit
2. It provides real-time portal for Mars exploration
3. It carry ingredients for experiments to grow plants without soil
4. It has been send to destroy targeted space debris

The correct answer is It carry ingredients for experiments to grow plants without soil.

Solution:
Cygnus spacecraft, which is carrying a fresh supply of 8300 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo, has reached International Space Station on 21 February 2022, less than two days after it was launched. NASA informed that supplies inside Cygnus spacecraft carry ingredients for experiments to grow plants without soil. Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft was launched on 19 February 2022 on an Antares rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Q3. In Oct 2020, NASA named the Cygnus Spacecraft after the astronaut _____.
1. Rakesh Sharma
2. Ravish Malhotra
3. Sunita Williams
4. Kalpana Chawla

The correct answer is Kalpana Chawla

Solution:
NASA named the Cygnus Spacecraft after Kalpana Chawla in October 2020. Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian-origin woman to travel to space. She was a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997. However, she lost her life in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003.

Q4. 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

Explanation: LUPEX
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.

Solution:
The Chinese National Space Agency arrived at Mars with lessons learned from a successful string of Chang'e missions to the Moon. Notably, the Chang'e 4 rover was able to survive more than 25 lunar nights. The Chang'e 5 mission was able to successfully bring back rock samples to Earth in December 2020. Tianwen-1, the first mission to Mars from China, successfully underwent orbital insertion on February 10.

Q5. 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

Explanation: 1 only

Solution:
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope JWST, the agency's successor to the famous Hubble telescope is on a mission to study the earliest stars and peer back farther into the universe's past than ever before. The JWST detects near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelengths, the light beyond the red end of the visible spectrum. Hence, statement 1 is correct. The James Webb Space Telescope will not be in orbit around the Earth, like the Hubble Space Telescope is - it will actually orbit the Sun, 1.5 million kilometers away from the Earth at what is called the second Lagrange point or L2. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Q6. With reference to Astrosat, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is are correct?
1. AstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously.
2. It is a multi-institute collaborative project, involving NASA, ISRO, JAXA and European Space Agency.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

The correct answer is 1 only.

Solution:
AstroSat was launched on 28 September 2015 by ISRO into a near-Earth equatorial orbit. AstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously. Hence, statement 1 is correct. It is a multi-institute collaborative project, involving IUCAA, ISRO, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, and Physical Research Laboratory among others. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Q7. 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

The correct answer is 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. This made the first spectroscopic detection of heavy oxygen outside a laboratory. Heavy oxygen is so called because it has 10 neutrons, rather than the normal eight of main oxygen, the form we breathe.

Q8. Which of the following made an out-of-this-world discovery: a giant red planet outside the solar system?
1. Spitzer Space Telescope
2. Kepler Space Telescope
3. Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer
4. James Webb Space Telescope

The correct answer is James Webb Space Telescope.

Solution:
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope made another out-of-this-world discovery: a giant red planet outside the solar system. The study is published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. The planet is considered to be a young planet at only 150 million years old and that's why the sky appeared turbulent. It also discovered clear detections of water, methane, and carbon monoxide.

Q9. Recently, In April 2023, A Japanese lunar lander, carrying a rover developed in the United Arab Emirates, attempted to find its footing on the moon's surface and potentially mark the world's first lunar landing. What is the name of the lunar lander?
1. Prabhas
2. Rashid Rover
3. Vyom Mitra
4. Hakuto-R

The correct answer is Hakuto-R.

Solution:
A Japanese lunar lander, carrying a rover developed in the United Arab Emirates, attempted to find its footing on the moon's surface, and potentially mark the world's first lunar landing for a commercially developed spacecraft. Japanese firm Ispace attempted a lunar landing with a rover developed by the United Arab Emirates, which could have marked the first lunar landing for a commercially developed spacecraft.

Q10. Recently the XPoSat Mission was in news, it is related to which of the following?
1. India’s first Saturn mission
2. India’s first polarimetry mission
3. India’s first Sun mission
4. Earth Observation Satellite

The correct answer is Option 2.

Solution:
According to ISRO, XPoSat will study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions and will carry two payloads. Indian Space Research Organisation is collaborating with the Raman Research Institute to build the X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite XPoSat. It has been told as India’s first, and only the world’s second polarimetry mission that is meant to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.

Subject-wise Prelims Previous Year Questions
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Also, Read about Axiom 4 Mission (Ax-4) for UPSC