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. In this article, we will learn about the Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) mission which will explore more about Earth (Sun-synchronous orbit), capturing vital data that will support future exploration, human habitation, or satellite operations.

• Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) took off on July 23, 1972, beginning a mission that would expand the boundaries of human understanding.  
• With a clearly defined scientific objective—namely, to First Earth-observing satellite for resource inventory and monitoring—the team is poised to gather unprecedented data and significantly advance our understanding.  
• The detailed discussions after the Earth observation satellite provided very useful lessons for missions in the future.  
• The flight path for the Delta 0900 was charted with extraordinary precision by astrodynamicists. 
• The rocket launched from Vandenburg, starting its space journey. 
• It remained active for Operated for over 5 years. 
• This mission was managed by NASA, USGS. 
• The mission was Completed (Successful). 

Return Beam Vidicon (RBV), Multispectral Scanner (MSS) onboard Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) are set to revolutionize autonomous science operations during long-duration missions.

Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) showcases Multispectral imaging for Earth resources, digital image processing, marking a significant step toward intelligent, self-directed exploration missions. This comprehensive article on NASA Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) 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.

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NASA Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) Space Mission Overview 

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

Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) Space Mission Global Contributions

Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) was jointly executed with Ground stations in various countries received data, promoting shared research in autonomous and remote space systems.

• General Electric (built satellite) played a vital role in building and launching the mission, contributing to its overall success. 
• Data made available to public and international researchers allowed multiple stakeholders to access and utilize mission outputs for extended scientific and technical purposes. 
• The success of Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) marked a major shift in space policy by Initiated global land remote sensing; foundational for Earth science, promoting broader cooperation in future missions. 

Challenges & Risk in Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) Space Mission

Although Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) was impacted by technical challenges such as RBV malfunction shortly after launch; MSS became primary sensor, the team’s proactive risk management and decision-making allowed the mission to deliver valuable outcomes.

• Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) navigated technical risks, including RBV experienced early issues, by deploying robust backup protocols and hardware redundancy. 
• Environmental considerations were factored into Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1), resulting in Remains in Earth orbit (inactive) as its end-of-life footprint. 

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Mission Timeline of Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1) NASA Space Mission

• The mission concept was officially proposed on Mid-1960s. 
• On Not applicable, mission control confirmed the spacecraft’s successful encounter with its target, with all systems performing as expected. 
• The NASA space mission reached the end of its primary phase on January 6, 1978 (Decommissioned), successfully completing all planned objectives. 

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

UPSC Relevance of Landsat 1 (ERTS-1 - Earth Resources Technology Satellite 1)

• UPSC Prelims tests awareness of global scientific milestones, with NASA missions serving as key examples of technological achievement.
• Historical milestones in space exploration, like the Apollo program or Artemis missions, can enrich answers in GS Paper 1 under world history or post-independence global developments.
• NASA’s transparent communication about mission setbacks can be used in UPSC CSE GS Paper 4 (Ethics) to illustrate ethical behavior in maintaining public trust and institutional credibility.
• 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
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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. Perseverence
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 carried NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and French astronaut Thomas Pesquet. SpaceX 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 Sun, it is 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. Tianwen-1 carries an orbiter, a lander, and a rover.

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: NASA has approved the launch of its Artemis 1 Moon mission on August 29. 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 it also plans to land the first woman and first person of colour on the moon.

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. This will investigate the health impacts of air pollution in the world's most populated cities. Its primary goal is to benefit societal health. The MAIA mission will collect and analyze data from the observatory, sensors on the ground, and atmospheric models. The MAIA observatory is set to launch before the end of 2024.

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