From the amazing Apollo Moon landings that first put people on the Moon, to using the Hubble Space Telescope to look deep into the universe, NASA has always helped us learn more and go further than ever before. The agency is famous for its missions that study our Earth, other planets, and faraway galaxies. This work gives us vital information to help understand big issues like climate change, how planets are formed, and the mysteries of the stars.

In this detailed article, we will learn about the STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight mission which will travel to Earth (orbital flight), aiming to examine its operational features, onboard systems, and relevance for international collaboration.

• On September 29, 1988, the launch of STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight marked the commencement of a mission with far-reaching scientific goals.  
• With a clearly defined scientific objective—namely, to Return to flight after Challenger; deploy TDRS-C satellite—the team is poised to gather unprecedented data and significantly advance our understanding.  
• The decision to go ahead with this Crewed satellite deployment flight was made only after thorough safety checks and many practice runs.  
• People in the control room carefully watched the Space Shuttle (Discovery OV-103)s performance as it flew upwards. 
• The mission began with a launch from Kennedy Space Center, LC-39B. 
• From start to finish, the mission ran for 4 days, 1 hour, 0 minutes, 11 seconds. 
• NASA led the planning and execution of the mission. 
• The final outcome of the mission was Completed (Successful). 
• NASA invested Significant redesign costs prior to flight in STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight, targeting new discoveries through advanced robotics and space instrumentation. 

NASA outfitted STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight with TDRS-C satellite with IUS upper stage to support its goals in autonomous space exploration.

The STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight mission deployed Redesigned SRBs, new safety and escape systems, enabling next-generation robotic performance in unpredictable space environments. In this article, lets understand more about Objectives, Data Sharing Agreements and Challenges Faced in NASAs STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight which is useful in UPSC Prelims & UPSC Mains Papers.

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NASA STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight Space Mission Overview 

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STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight Space Mission Global Contributions

• NASA relied on TRW (TDRS), Boeing (IUS) to supply major components for the spacecraft and launch systems, enhancing mission efficiency. 
• The success of STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight marked a major shift in space policy by Resumed US human spaceflight; demonstrated improved safety measures, promoting broader cooperation in future missions. 

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Challenges & Risk in STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight Space Mission

Although STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight was impacted by technical challenges such as Successfully returning to flight after major accident and redesign, the team’s proactive risk management and decision-making allowed the mission to deliver valuable outcomes.

• The mission had to manage critical challenges like Extensive testing of redesigned components, meticulous pre-flight checks, which were addressed through engineering refinements and contingency strategies. 

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Mission Timeline of STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight NASA Space Mission

• The proposal for this mission was recorded on Post-Challenger accident redesign effort. 
• The full design was validated and approved on Various redesign CDRs. 
• The mission safely reached its landing/flyby destination on October 3, 1988 (Landing at Edwards AFB), staying on track with the projected timeline. 
• After months of successful operation, the mission team officially marked October 3, 1988 as the conclusion of the primary mission. 

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UPSC Relevance of STS-26 Discovery Return to Flight

• Understanding NASA’s space missions is crucial for UPSC aspirants, as these topics often feature under current science and tech developments.
• NASA’s contributions to global space policy and governance can be discussed under international relations in GS Paper 2.
• 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.
• NASA Space Missions provide cross-cutting content useful in UPSC optional subjects like PSIR, Geography, and Public Administration by exemplifying governance models, global diplomacy, and spatial data infrastructure.

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. 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 MAIA mission is indeed a joint mission between NASA and the Italian Space Agency ASI, making statement 1 correct. It aims to investigate the health impacts of air pollution in the world's most populated cities, confirming statement 2 as correct. The mission is set to last three years, thus statement 3 is also correct.

Q2. Consider the following about Cassini Mission:
1. It is a joint project between NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency.
2. Its recent findings show the presence of hydrogen cyanide on Saturn's icy moon Enceladus.
3. Methanol, Ethane, and Oxygen have also been found in the plumes of water vapour erupting from the surface of Enceladus.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer: option 3
Solution: The Cassini mission is a collaboration among NASA, ESA, and ASI, confirming statement 1 as correct. It has indeed found hydrogen cyanide on Enceladus, making statement 2 correct. Additionally, statement 3 is also correct as methanol, ethane, and oxygen have been detected in the plumes of Enceladus.

Q3. Consider the following statements about the XPoSat satellite:
1. The XPoSat was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO via the PSLV-C58 mission.
2. This mission makes India the first country to launch an X-ray polarimeter satellite.
3. XPoSat carries two payloads, named POLIX and XSPECT, for research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: option 2
Solution: The XPoSat was indeed launched by ISRO via the PSLV-C58 mission, confirming statement 1 as correct. However, India is not the first country to launch an X-ray polarimeter satellite, making statement 2 incorrect. Statement 3 is correct as XPoSat carries the POLIX and XSPECT payloads for research.

Q4. In which year did the Apollo 11 mission successfully land humans on the moon?
1. 1970
2. 1972
3. 1971
4. 1969

Answer: 1969
Solution: The Apollo 11 mission successfully landed on the moon in 1969, with Neil Armstrong becoming the first man to step on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969.

Q5. What is the name of the spacecraft that successfully returned two Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut from the International Space Station ISS to Earth on September 23, 2024?
1. Soyuz MS-23
2. Soyuz MS-24
3. Soyuz MS-25
4. Soyuz MS-26

Answer: Soyuz MS-25
Solution: The Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft successfully landed in Kazakhstan on September 23, 2024, returning the crew after their mission on the ISS.

Q6. Where did ISRO launch India's first analog space mission to simulate interplanetary habitat conditions?
1. Bengaluru, Karnataka
2. Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
3. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
4. Leh, Ladakh

Answer: Leh, Ladakh
Solution: ISRO launched India's first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh, to simulate conditions similar to those on Mars and the Moon.

Q7. The NEEMO program, which conducts analog space missions in underwater environments, is an initiative of which country?
1. Japan
2. Russia
3. Germany
4. United States

Answer: option 4
Solution: The NEEMO program is run by the United States and is conducted by NASA in underwater habitats to simulate space mission conditions.

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding solar wind interaction with Earth's magnetosphere:
Statement I: When the solar wind hits the magnetosphere, it slows down and transfers its energy into a shock wave.
Statement II: The Earth's magnetic field acts as a barrier, causing the solar wind to decelerate and form a bow shock, where kinetic energy converts into electromagnetic and thermal energy.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
1. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.
2. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I.
3. Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.
4. Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct.

Answer: option 1
Solution: Both statements are correct, and Statement II provides the correct explanation for Statement I regarding the interaction of solar wind with Earth's magnetosphere.

Q9. What is the name of the SpaceX mission that launched a private astronaut crew to orbit Earth from pole to pole?
1. Crew Dragon
2. Falcon 9
3. Fram2
4. DragonX

Answer: Fram2
Solution: The Fram2 mission launched a private astronaut crew on a unique polar-orbiting mission, marking a novel trajectory for human spaceflight.

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