NASA is a leader in working with other countries in space, partnering with over 100 nations. When NASA works with big international space groups like ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and ISRO (India), it shows that more and more countries are cooperating peacefully in space. This teamwork is really important for tackling problems that affect everyone, like protecting Earth from asteroids or cleaning up space junk.

NASA’s STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns is designed to investigate Earth (orbital flight), with hopes of unlocking critical data about its operational frameworks and scientific potential.

• STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns was launched on October 29, 1998, marking a significant step forward in space exploration.  
• The missions objective is ambitious yet crucial: to Spacehab research; John Glenn's return to space; deploy SPARTAN. This will provide new perspectives and could reshape current theories.  
• This flight is recognized as a Crewed scientific research flight, highlighting its overall importance and contribution.  
• The powerful Space Shuttle (Discovery OV-103) stood poised on the launchpad, a testament to human ambition and engineering. 
• Liftoff occurred at Kennedy Space Center, LC-39B, Florida, kicking off the mission. 
• 8 days, 21 hours, 44 minutes, 56 seconds marked the full span of the mission’s activity. 
• NASA, ESA, NASDA (now JAXA) played a key role in the success of the mission. 
• It ended as Completed (Successful). 

STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns is equipped with Spacehab module, SPARTAN 201-5 free-flyer, HOST to support scientific innovation and real-time decision-making in space.

STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns relied on Spacehab for research, SPARTAN deployment and retrieval to achieve greater operational independence and efficiency in unstructured space settings. In this article, we’ve explored every phase of STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns—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 STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns Space Mission Overview 

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

STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns Space Mission Global Contributions

ESA, NASDA (experiments on Spacehab) joined NASA on STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns, combining expertise to expand autonomous mission capabilities.

• Through Experiments from international partners, STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns tested mission-critical functions for future autonomous and long-duration missions. 
• Through partnerships with Spacehab, Inc, NASA integrated private sector innovations to streamline spacecraft development and deployment. 
• By implementing Scientific data shared, NASA enabled real-time data exchange and cooperative research throughout the mission. 
• With STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns, NASA’s innovative efforts led to John Glenn's historic return; aging research in space, reinforcing commitments to international space treaties. 

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Challenges & Risk in STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns Space Mission

Despite initial complications stemming from Managing wide range of experiments and public interest, the mission team behind STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns acted quickly to mitigate the risks, preserving scientific integrity and mission functionality throughout the duration of operations.

• A key risk during STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns was Flying elderly astronaut; successful research and satellite operations, demanding both ground and onboard system adjustments. 

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Mission Timeline of STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns NASA Space Mission

• The mission safely reached its landing/flyby destination on November 7, 1998 (Landing at KSC), staying on track with the projected timeline. 
• The NASA space mission reached the end of its primary phase on November 7, 1998, successfully completing all planned objectives. 

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UPSC Relevance of STS-95 Discovery John Glenn Returns

• UPSC Prelims tests awareness of global scientific milestones, with NASA missions serving as key examples of technological achievement.
• Topics related to NASA’s planetary missions and advanced space technologies are highly relevant to GS Paper 3, which covers developments in science and technology.
• 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.
• The societal, ethical, and scientific dimensions of NASA’s work, including planetary protection and interplanetary travel, are pertinent to Anthropology, Philosophy, and Geography optional papers, helping illustrate human response to unknown frontiers.

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:
Statement 1 is not correct as Perseverance Rover was launched by NASA.
Statement 2 is correct as the mission aims to understand Mars geology and seek signs of ancient life.
Statement 3 is also correct as Perseverance is the most advanced mobile laboratory sent to Mars.

Q2. The Parker Solar Probe Mission sometimes mentioned in the news recently is related to
1. Indian Space Research Organisation
2. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
3. European Space Agency
4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Solution:
The Parker Solar Probe is a NASA mission designed to study the outer corona of the Sun and its effects on the solar system.

Q3. Consider the following statements with reference to the Inspiration4 mission
1. It is a mission by NASA to take civilians into the space
2. Inspiration4 will orbit the Earth at a level higher than the International Space Station
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 only
Solution:
Statement 1 is incorrect as Inspiration4 is a SpaceX mission, not NASA.
Statement 2 is correct as it will orbit at a higher altitude than the International Space Station.

Q4. The term MUSE is talked about in the context of
1. genes introduced in the genetically modified crops for the expression of pest resistant properties
2. a constellation of nine spacecraft that will capture the first multiscale in-space measurements of fluctuations in the magnetic field and motions of the solar wind known as solar wind turbulence
3. AI induced technique of identification of paw print of wildlife tigers under CA|TS
4. forces driving the heating of the Sun's corona and the eruptions in that outermost region that are at the foundation of space weather

Answer: 4
Solution:
MUSE refers to the forces driving the heating of the Sun's corona and the eruptions that affect space weather.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
1. Its objective is to aid in the understanding of dark energy dark matter exoplanets and infrared astrophysics
2. It will be situated or parked in the Lagrange point
3. Its field view will be greater than the Hubble Telescope
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:
All statements are correct. The Roman Space Telescope will help in understanding dark energy and dark matter, will be located at a Lagrange point, and will have a larger field of view than the Hubble Telescope.

Q6. Who among the following led the guidance operations and control operations of NASA's Mission Mars 2020
1. Swati Mohan
2. Anita Sengupta
3. Ashwin Vasavada
4. Kamlesh Lulla

Answer: Swati Mohan
Solution:
Swati Mohan led the guidance operations for NASA's Mars 2020 mission and is an Indian-American aerospace engineer.

Q7. The James Webb Space Telescope was launched in December 2021 through
1. Arian 2 rocket
2. Arian 4 rocket
3. Arian 5 rocket
4. Arian 1 rocket

Answer: Arian 5 rocket
Solution:
The James Webb Space Telescope was launched on December 25 2021 using an Ariane 5 rocket.

Q8. 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

Answer: 1 only
Solution:
Statement 1 is correct as JWST is designed to study the universe's history. Statement 2 is incorrect as it will orbit the Sun not the Earth.

Q9. has successfully launched the pulsar navigation satellite XPNAV-1
1. India
2. China
3. USA
4. Japan

Answer: China
Solution:
China successfully launched the pulsar navigation satellite XPNAV-1 in 2016.

Q10. Who among the following are among the 4 astronauts who will venture around the Moon on Artemis II as announced by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency on 4 April 2023
1. Jeremy Hansen
2. Victor Glover
3. Christina Koch
4. Reid Wiseman

Answer: All 1 2 3 and 4
Solution:
The four astronauts are Jeremy Hansen Victor Glover Christina Koch and Reid Wiseman who will participate in the Artemis II mission scheduled for November 2024.

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