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.

Through the Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) mission, NASA aims to study Earth (orbital flight), shedding light on its systems, operations, and the mysteries it holds.

• On May 15, 1963, the launch of Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) marked the commencement of a mission with far-reaching scientific goals.  
• The principal objective set forth for this venture is to Final Mercury mission, evaluate one-day spaceflight effects. This focus ensures that the mission will deliver high-impact results relevant to pressing global challenges or fundamental scientific inquiries.  
• Successfully completing this Crewed orbital endurance flight was celebrated by many as a significant achievement.  
• The Atlas LV-3B (130-D) was selected because its specific capabilities were a good match for the tough requirements of this space mission. 
• The mission began with a launch from Cape Canaveral, LC-14, Florida. 
• 34 hours, 20 minutes, 49 seconds marked the full span of the mission’s activity. 
• This mission was managed by NASA. 
• Overall, the mission was Completed (Successful), meeting most of its objectives. 
• The mission had an estimated cost of Part of Project Mercury total cost, aiming to expand humanity’s reach into deep space. 

Mercury spacecraft No 20, flashing beacon experiment, in-flight TV onboard Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) are set to revolutionize autonomous science operations during long-duration missions.

Atlas rocket, modified Mercury capsule for longer duration were essential to Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7), supporting navigation, real-time data analysis, and autonomous mission control. This comprehensive article on NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) 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 Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Space Mission Overview 

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Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Space Mission Global Contributions

• By involving McDonnell Aircraft (spacecraft), Convair (booster), NASA leveraged commercial capabilities for hardware design, satellite manufacturing, and launch logistics. 
• Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) contributed directly to policy reform through its achievement of Concluded Mercury, proved US long-duration capability, impacting global frameworks for sustainability and remote sensing. 

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Challenges & Risk in Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Space Mission

Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) overcame mission-threatening issues such as Automatic control and electrical system failures; manual reentry required by deploying alternative systems, refining software behavior, and executing contingency strategies developed during pre-launch testing.

• Mitigating risks like Multiple system failures near end, required manual reentry was essential to ensuring the missions success and preserving scientific goals. 

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Mission Timeline of Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) NASA Space Mission

• NASA initiated formal planning for the mission on Project Mercury initiated October 1958. 
• The spacecraft achieved its landing/flyby on May 16, 1963 (Splashdown Pacific Ocean), enabling high-resolution imaging and data collection from the target zone. 
• On May 16, 1963 (Astronaut and spacecraft recovery), mission control confirmed that all key milestones were achieved, closing the primary phase of the mission. 

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UPSC Relevance of Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7)

• Awareness of international space missions, especially NASA’s, is vital for success in the Prelims, given their link to science, technology, and current affairs.
• The application of space-based data for disaster management and weather forecasting—an area where NASA contributes significantly—is important for GS Paper 3.
• In the UPSC CSE GS Paper 4 (Ethics), aspirants may be asked to evaluate whether the pursuit of advanced space technology, such as NASA’s missions, aligns with ethical duties toward humanity’s broader needs.
• 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. On October 19, 2017, which space agency has approved second extension of its Dawn Mission at Ceres Dwarf planet?
1. Space X
2. NASA
3. ISRO
4. CNSA
Answer: 2
Solution: NASA has approved the second extension of its Dawn mission at Ceres dwarf planet on October 19, 2017. Dawn was a space probe launched by NASA in 2007. It was designed to study two protoplanets in the asteroid belt, Vesta and Ceres. It exhausted all of its hydrazine fuel and retired in 2018. The Dawn mission was managed by Jet propulsion laboratory. Currently, the spacecraft was placed in an uncontrolled orbit around Ceres. Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO is the space agency of India. National Aeronautics and Space NASA is an independent space agency of the United States. Space X is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company. China National Space Administration CNSA is the space agency of China.

Q2. Which one of the following belongs to India's inter-planetary mission?
1. SARAL
2. Jugnu
3. Mangalyaan
4. ANUSAT
Answer: 3
Solution: The Mars Orbiter Mission MOM or Mangalyaan is a space probe launched on November 5, 2013 by the Indian Space Research Organization. The mission made India the first Asian nation and the fourth in the world to reach the planet, after Roscosmos, NASA, and the European Space Agency. ISRO chairman is S. Somnath. ISRO spent 75 million dollars to launch the mission.

Q3. Consider the following statements about Deep Ocean Mission:
A) This mission was launched by DRDO and NASA.
B) The mission proposes to explore the deep ocean similar to space exploration.
C) One of the main aims of the mission is to explore and extract Polymetallic nodules.
Choose the correct statement.
1. A and B
2. B and C
3. Only A
4. A, B, C
Answer: 2
Solution: The mission proposes to explore the deep ocean similar to the space exploration started by ISRO. The nodal agency for this mission is the Ministry of Earth Sciences MoES. Underwater robotics and manned submersibles are key components of the Mission which will help India harness various living and non-living resources from the seabed and deep water. Hence Statement A is Incorrect and B is Correct. The tasks that will be undertaken over this period include deep-sea mining, survey, energy exploration and the offshore-based desalination. These technological developments are funded under an umbrella scheme of the government called Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources Modelling and Science O-SMART. One of the main aims of the mission is to explore and extract polymetallic nodules PMN. These are small potato-like rounded accretions composed of minerals such as manganese, nickel, cobalt, copper and iron hydroxide. Hence Statement C is Correct.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Synthetic Aperture Radar or SAR:
1. A Synthetic Aperture Radar SAR or SAR is a coherent mostly airborne or space-borne side-looking radar system that utilizes the flight path of the platform to simulate an extremely large antenna, and that generates high-resolution remote sensing imagery.
2. ISRO has completed the development of a Synthetic Aperture Radar capable of producing high-resolution images for a joint earth observation satellite mission with the Russian space agency.
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: 1
Solution: A Synthetic Aperture Radar SAR or SAR is a coherent mostly airborne or space-borne side-looking radar system that utilizes the flight path of the platform to simulate an extremely large antenna, and that generates high-resolution remote sensing imagery. Hence statement 1 is correct. ISRO has completed the development of a Synthetic Aperture Radar capable of producing high-resolution images for a joint earth observation satellite mission with the U.S. space agency NASA. Hence statement 2 is not correct.

Q5. Spacecraft, Near-Earth Asteroid Scout or NEA Scout is related to which of the following space organization?
1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2. Indian Space Research Organisation
3. European Space Agency
4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Answer: 1
Solution: Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA has announced that its new spacecraft, named Near-Earth Asteroid Scout or NEA Scout, has completed all required tests and has been safely tucked inside the Space Launch System SLS rocket.

Q6. Which company developed New Shepard launch system, which got flying approval recently?
1. Boeing
2. Blue Origin
3. SpaceX
4. Virgin Galactic
Answer: 2
Solution: Blue Origin, the private spaceflight company of Jeff Bezos, has successfully launched and landed its New Shepard vehicle on its latest mission NS-14. The founder of Blue Origin is Jeff Bezos. Blue Origin is a private space company headquartered in Kent, Washington USA. Blue Origin plans to send an astronaut on the moon with NASA's Artemis Program.

Q7. Which space company has been selected by NASA to deliver cargo, experiments and other supplies to the agency's Gateway in lunar orbit?
1. Dragon-XL
2. Blue origin
3. Astra space
4. Space X
Answer: 4
Solution: NASA has selected SpaceX of Hawthorne, California, as the first U.S. commercial provider under the Gateway Logistics Services contract to deliver cargo, science experiments, and other supplies to the agency's Gateway in lunar orbit. The award is a significant step forward for NASA's Artemis program that will land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024 and build a sustainable human lunar presence.

Q8. Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX launched ________ more astronauts on a flight to the International Space Station ISS for NASA on 27 April 2022.
1. 3
2. 4
3. 5
4. 6
Answer: 4
Solution: Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX launched four more astronauts on a flight to the International Space Station ISS for NASA on 27 April 2022. The SpaceX launch vehicle, consisting of a two-stage Falcon 9 rocket topped with a Crew Dragon capsule dubbed Freedom, lifted off from Florida. The crew will begin a six-month science mission orbiting some 250 miles 420 km above Earth.

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