With more and more missions planned for the Moon, Mars, and even asteroids, NASA continues to lead the way in exploring deep space. Its work influences how countries around the world think about space, how we discuss environmental issues, and it inspires people to study and learn more – making NASA a fascinating topic from many different angles.

In this article we have covered about SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) for UPSC CSE Examination which will operate in or around Earth (Sun-synchronous orbit), offering an in-depth look at its orbital dynamics, onboard experiments, and contributions to our understanding of space.

• On January 31, 2015, the launch of SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) marked the commencement of a mission with far-reaching scientific goals.  
• This projects fundamental objective, to Measure global soil moisture and freeze/thaw state, addresses key scientific questions that have long intrigued researchers in the field.  
• Engineers and scientists decided this operation was a Earth observation satellite, which guided all the planning that came after.  
• The advanced technology of the Delta II 7320-10C made it a very capable choice for this demanding space mission. 
• The rocket launched from Vandenberg AFB, SLC-2W, starting its space journey. 
• Ongoing (3-year prime mission, extended) marked the full span of the mission’s activity. 
• This mission was managed by NASA. 
• According to NASA records, the mission was Operational (passive instrument only). 
• NASA invested ~$916 million in SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive), targeting new discoveries through advanced robotics and space instrumentation. 

The payload of Radar (active, failed), Radiometer (passive) aboard SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) enhances both mission autonomy and scientific output.

SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) showcases Combined radar/radiometer (intended); large deployable mesh antenna, marking a significant step toward intelligent, self-directed exploration missions. This comprehensive article on NASA SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) 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 SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) Space Mission Overview 

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

SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) Space Mission Global Contributions

• NASA collaborated with JPL (management), Goddard SFC (instrument development) to incorporate cutting-edge technologies and reduce reliance on government-built infrastructure. 
• Data used for weather, climate, agriculture applications played a key role in maximizing the impact of mission data through shared scientific analysis. 
• Through SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive), NASA underscored its leadership by achieving Provides global soil moisture data critical for drought/flood monitoring, encouraging updates to international space guidelines. 

Challenges & Risk in SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) Space Mission

A major obstacle during the execution of SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) involved Radar failure reduced spatial resolution of some data products, but it was effectively addressed through collaborative team efforts and reconfiguration of mission protocols.

• A key risk during SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) was Radar instrument failed shortly after launch, demanding both ground and onboard system adjustments. 
• The sustainability outcome of SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) is characterized by its Operational in Earth orbit, aligning with modern space stewardship practices. 

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Mission Timeline of SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive) NASA Space Mission

• NASA initiated formal planning for the mission on Early 2000s. 
• The date Not applicable represented a pivotal moment as the mission entered its most critical phase. 
• The NASA space mission reached the end of its primary phase on January 2018 (End of 3-year prime mission), successfully completing all planned objectives. 

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UPSC Relevance of SMAP Satellite (Soil Moisture Active Passive)

• Understanding NASA’s space missions is crucial for UPSC aspirants, as these topics often feature under current science and tech developments.
• GS Paper 3 often features questions on space technology, where NASA’s breakthroughs provide useful insights into international scientific progress.
• In GS Paper 4 of the UPSC IAS Exam, scenarios involving how NASA managed catastrophic mission failures like the Challenger disaster can help examine institutional learning, accountability, and ethical crisis response.
• 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. 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:
In News:
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.

Key Points
Perseverance Rover:
Launched by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
The mission is designed to better understand the geology of Mars and seek signs of ancient life. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Perseverance is the most advanced, most expensive and most sophisticated mobile laboratory sent to Mars. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
It is different from previous missions because it is capable of drilling and collecting core samples of the most promising rocks and soils, and setting them aside in a cache on the surface of Mars.
Launch: 30th July 2020
Landing: 18th February 2021

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.

In News:
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.

Key Points
NASA informed that supplies inside Cygnus spacecraft carry ingredients for experiments to grow plants without soil. Hence, option 3 is correct.
Northrop Grumman's Cygnus spacecraft was launched on 19 February 2022 on an Antares rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
After Cygnus capture, mission control in Houston will send ground commands for the station's arm to rotate and install it on the station's Unity module Earth-facing port.
This is Northrop Grumman's 17th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station for NASA.
The Cygnus spacecraft is named the S.S. Piers Sellers in honour of the late NASA astronaut who spent nearly 35 days across three missions helping to construct the space station.

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
Key Points
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.

Additional Information
Rakesh Sharma
The first Indian to travel to space, Sharma flew on the Soyuz T-11 in 1984. He was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Sunita Williams
The second Indian-origin woman to travel to space, Williams holds the record for the longest single space flight and most spacewalk time by a woman.
Ravish Malhotra
An Air Force test pilot who served as a backup for Rakesh Sharma on the Soyuz T-11 mission.

Q4. Which of the following is are correctly Matched?
Space Mission/Object Country
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.

The Chinese experiment Tianwen-1
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 (each night stretches to 14 Earth days) - this is a remarkable engineering feat since temperatures can go down to -170 degrees C. 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. Tianwen-1 carries an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. China's approach to landing a rover is somewhat different. Unlike NASA rovers, Tianwen-1 will orbit Mars for a few months before attempting to land in May this year. The spacecraft has a suite of instruments to address a range of scientific questions. Interestingly, it has a ground-penetrating radar instrument to look for water under the Martian surface. The rover is scheduled to land at Utopia Planitia, a location with possible ancient groundwater deposits.

Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter
National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA has launched its Mars 2020
Perseverance rover aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V.
The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
This is the third launch to Mars this month, following the UAE's Hope and China's Tianwen-1 spacecraft.

Key facts:
1. The rover's Mars arrival is set for March 18, 2021.
2. The mission is planned to last for at least one Mars year, which works out to about 687 days on Earth (it takes longer for Mars to go around the sun).
3. Landing site: Jezero crater.
4. Perseverance is loaded with seven instruments chosen to help it achieve its mission objectives.

Why is this mission significant?
1. Perseverance will carry a unique instrument, MOXIE or Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment: which for the first time will manufacture molecular oxygen on Mars using carbon dioxide from the carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere ISRU means In Situ Resource Utilization: or the use of local resources to meet human needs or requirements of the spacecraft.
2. It will carry Ingenuity, the first-ever helicopter to fly on Mars. This is the first time NASA will fly a helicopter on another planet or satellite.
3. It is the planned first step to bring back rock samples from Mars for analysis in sophisticated laboratories on Earth: with the goal of looking for biosignatures: or signatures of present or past life.

Hope Probe
Known as the Hope Probe, the Arab world's first mission to Mars which took off in July last year is about seven hours away from its destination. Traveling at a speed of 77000 mph, the spacecraft called Amal, Arabic for Hope, will need to fire its brake engines for about 27 minutes so that it is captured by the planet's gravity.
If it is successful, scientists will be able Hope Probe to carry out the objectives of the mission, which include understanding the climate dynamics on the planet and characterizing the lower atmosphere of Mars.
Hope was developed by UAE scientists in the US. It was launched in July 2020 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan aboard a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-II A rocket and its launch became the 45th for H-II A. Carrying three instruments, including a high-resolution camera and a spectrometer, the spacecraft is on an orbital mission to collect data on Martian climate dynamics and help scientists understand why Mars's atmosphere is decaying into space.
Hope is the UAE's fourth space mission and first interplanetary one. The previous three were all Earth-observation satellites. Once it is successfully able to reach the planet, it will start orbiting the planet. Its overall mission life is one Martian year, which is about 687 days on Earth.

Why Mars?
Apart from the UAE, the US and China also launched missions to Mars during the brief launch window which was available in July. During this launch window, Earth and Mars were aligned at their closest points in two years, which means using less fuel to reach the planet. Launch windows are significant since if a spacecraft is launched too early or too late, it will arrive in the planet's orbit when the planet is not there.
The growing number of missions to Mars by different space agencies across the world is part of the competitive space race, a bid to establish themselves as a leader in space exploration. Not only national space agencies but aerospace manufacturers such as Elon Musk's SpaceX too harbor ambitious missions to the Red planet. SpaceX, for instance, sees Mars as an alternative to living on Earth since it is its closest habitable neighbor.
What makes scientists and researchers curious about Mars is also the possibility that the planet was once warm enough to allow water to flow through it, which means life could have existed there too. This question makes the planet more intriguing for scientists since almost everywhere we find water on Earth, we find life, as NASA puts it.
However, no human has set foot on Mars yet because the atmosphere on Mars is very thin, consisting of mostly carbon dioxide with no breathable oxygen, making it difficult for astronauts to survive there. Further, the landscape of Mars is freezing, with no protection from the Sun's radiation or passing dust storms. Therefore, more research, technology and testing are required to be able to send humans to Mars. NASA plans to do so by the 2030s.

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 15 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
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. Powerful space telescopes, like JWST or the Hubble Telescope, are often called time-machines because of their ability to view very faraway objects. The light coming from those objects, stars or galaxies, which is captured by these telescopes, began its journey millions of years earlier. Essentially, what these telescopes see are images of these stars or galaxies as they were millions of years ago. The more distant the planet or star, the farther back in time are the telescopes able to see. 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 1 million miles away from the Earth at what is called the second Lagrange point or L2. What is special about this orbit is that it lets the telescope stay in line with the Earth as it moves around the Sun. This allows the satellite's large sunshield to protect the telescope from the light and heat of the Sun and Earth. 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.
In News:
The Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO has made an announcement of opportunity AO to allow scientists and researchers to analyse data from the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission, AstroSat.

Key Points
AstroSat:
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.
The payloads cover the energy bands of Ultraviolet Near and Far, limited optical and X-ray regime 0.3 keV to 100 keV.
One of the unique features of the AstroSat mission is that it enables the simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of various astronomical objects with a single satellite.
Onboard the AstroSat is a 38-cm wide UltraViolet Imaging Telescope UVIT, which is capable of imaging in far and near-ultraviolet bands over a wide field of view.
It is a multi-institute collaborative project, involving IUCAA, ISRO, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Mumbai, Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bengaluru, and Physical Research Laboratory Ahmedabad, among others. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
After injection into Orbit, the two solar panels of AstroSat were automatically deployed in quick succession.
The spacecraft control centre at Mission Operations Complex MOX of ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network ISTRAC, Bengaluru manages the satellite during its entire mission life.
The science data gathered by five payloads of AstroSat are telemetered to the ground station at MOX.
The data is then processed, archived and distributed by Indian Space Science Data Centre ISSDC located at Bylalu, near Bengaluru.

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.
In News:
The GREAT instrument onboard NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy SOFIA measured the ratio of main to heavy oxygen in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere.

Key Points
This made the first spectroscopic detection of heavy oxygen outside a laboratory.
Heavy oxygen 18O is so called because it has 10 neutrons, rather than the normal eight of main oxygen 16O, the form we breathe.
Heavy oxygen is seen as a signature of biological activity, common in the lower atmosphere.
Both forms are byproducts of photosynthesis, but the main oxygen is consumed by the respiration of living things more than its heavy counterpart, leaving a larger concentration of heavy oxygen behind.
Measuring heavy oxygen is complex because it looks so similar to main oxygen.

Additional Information
NASA:
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research.
Its first administrator was Dr T. Keith Glennan who was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Founded: 1958
Founder: Dwight D. Eisenhower
Administrator: Bill Nelson
Missions:
Apollo Missions
Cassini-Huygens Operation
Artemis Lunar Program
Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART Mission

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.
In News:
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope made another out-of-this-world discovery: a giant red planet outside the solar system.

Key Points
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.

Additional Information
NASA:
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research.
Its first administrator was Dr T. Keith Glennan who was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Founded: 1958
Founder: Dwight D. Eisenhower
Administrator: Bill Nelson
Missions:
Apollo Missions
Cassini-Huygens Operation
Artemis Lunar Program
Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART Mission

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.
In News:
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.

Key Points
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.
The spacecraft traveled 870000 miles through space before attempting to land on the moon, and contact with the vehicle was lost during the landing attempt.
Ispace had a for-profit business approach to lunar exploration, which differs from prior lunar missions executed by only three countries: the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China.
The Rashid rover, the first Arab-built lunar spacecraft, was on board the lander and was equipped with multiple cameras and a Langmuir probe.
Ispace plans to continue pursuing lunar exploration, including a mission to retrieve lunar soil samples on behalf of NASA's Artemis program using commercial lunar landers.

Additional Information
The capital of Japan is Tokyo, and the currency used in Japan is the Japanese yen JPY.
The Current Prime Minister of Japan is Fumio Kishida.

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.
In News:
According to ISRO, XPoSat will study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions and will carry two payloads.

Key Points
Indian Space Research Organisation is collaborating with the Raman Research Institute RRI, Bengaluru, an autonomous research institute, to build the X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite XPoSat.
According to ISRO, XPoSat will study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
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. Hence option 2 is correct.
The other such major mission is NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer IXPE which was launched in 2021.
IXPE carries three state-of-the-art space telescopes. Each of the three identical telescopes hosts one lightweight X-ray mirror and one detector unit.
These will help observe polarized X-rays from neutron stars and supermassive black holes.
By measuring the polarisation of these X-rays, we can study where the light came from and understand the geometry and inner workings of the light source.
The spacecraft will carry two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit. The primary payload POLIX Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays will measure the polarimetry parameters degree and angle of polarisation.

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