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. Through the Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander mission, NASA aims to study Mars, shedding light on its systems, operations, and the mysteries it holds.

• The successful launch of Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander on August 20, 1975 set the stage for important scientific advancements.  
• The missions objective is ambitious yet crucial: to Orbit Mars, deploy lander; search for biosignatures, analyze surface. This will provide new perspectives and could reshape current theories.  
• This particular mission was planned as a Mars orbiter and lander, marking an important step in our ongoing journey to explore space.  
• This mission was one of the notable flights for the distinguished Titan IIIE-Centaur. 
• The spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral, LC-41, heading into orbit. 
• The entire mission took Orbiter: 4+ years; Lander: 6+ years to complete. 
• NASA led the planning and execution of the mission. 
• Overall, the mission was Completed (Successful), meeting most of its objectives. 
• The mission had an estimated cost of $1 billion (Viking program total), aiming to expand humanity’s reach into deep space. 

Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander carries Orbiter cameras, IR spectrometer; Lander cameras, biology experiment, GCMS for advanced measurements, enabling deeper insights into planetary systems and space conditions.

Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander relied on Mars soft landing, long-term surface operations, sample analysis to achieve greater operational independence and efficiency in unstructured space settings. In this article, we’ve explored every phase of Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander—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 Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Space Mission Overview 

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

Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Space Mission Global Contributions

• NASA relied on Martin Marietta (lander/orbiter), JPL (mission control) to supply major components for the spacecraft and launch systems, enhancing mission efficiency. 
• NASA established Extensive data archives publicly available to promote data accessibility and foster innovation across academic, government, and industry sectors. 
• Through Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander, NASA underscored its leadership by achieving First successful US Mars landing; detailed surface study, encouraging updates to international space guidelines. 

Challenges & Risk in Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Space Mission

During various mission phases, Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander had to manage risks like Interpreting biology experiment results; lander power degradation, which were resolved through creative engineering solutions and the application of redundant safety mechanisms.

• The team behind Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander overcame engineering constraints such as Complex landing sequence; selecting safe landing site through iterative system tuning. 
• Environmental considerations were factored into Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander, resulting in Orbiter and lander remain on/around Mars as its end-of-life footprint. 

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Mission Timeline of Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander NASA Space Mission

• Late 1960s marks the date when the mission was first approved for consideration. 
• The mission safely reached its landing/flyby destination on July 20, 1976 (Lander separation and landing), staying on track with the projected timeline. 
• The date Orbiter: Aug 17, 1980; Lander: Nov 11, 1982 marked the successful conclusion of the missions scheduled scientific and operational tasks. 

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UPSC Relevance of Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander

• Scientific advancements and innovations by NASA are a recurring theme in the UPSC Prelims, reflecting their global significance. 
• GS Paper 3 often features questions on space technology, where NASA’s breakthroughs provide useful insights into international scientific progress.
• UPSC IAS Exam GS Paper 4 may explore ethical implications of using autonomous technologies in space, with NASA missions serving as real-world examples to examine boundaries of human-machine decision-making.
• In the UPSC CSE Optional Papers, topics from NASA Space Missions are highly relevant across disciplines, offering insights into global cooperation, technological ethics, and environmental impacts—useful for Geography, PSIR, and Philosophy optionals alike.

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. 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: 2
Solution: The correct answer is National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Scientists using data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe have assembled the most complete picture yet of the inner structure and behaviour of the large cloud of space dust, known as the zodiacal cloud, that swirls throughout the solar system.

Q2. Landsat 9 is a joint mission of which of the following organizations?
1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and European Space Agency
2. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and US Geological Survey
3. European Space Agency and US Geological Survey
4. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Indian Space Research Organisation
Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is option 2. Recently, NASA has launched an earth monitoring satellite called Landsat 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellite is a joint mission of NASA and the US Geological Survey. This satellite is referred to as NASA's new eye in the sky that will help study climate change.

Q3. In December 2021, SpaceX has launched 52 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from a California base. Which rocket has been used to launch these satellites?
1. Voyger Cassini
2. Falcon-9
3. Falcon-7
4. Rover-4
Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is Falcon-9. A SpaceX rocket carried 52 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from California on 18 December 2021. The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from coastal Vandenberg Space Force Base. The Falcon's first stage returned and landed on a SpaceX drone ship in the ocean. The mission was the 34th launch for Starlink, a constellation of nearly 2000 satellites in low Earth orbit.

Q4. Recently seen in the news, DART mission is launched by _______.
1. CNSA
2. ISRO
3. NASA
4. ESA
Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is NASA. Just two weeks after its launch, NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART spacecraft has opened its eye and returned its first images from space a major operational milestone for the spacecraft and DART team.

Q5. Which of the following is the name of the NASA programme to land first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024?
1. Orion
2. Apollo
3. Artemis
4. Nike
Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is Artemis. Artemis is an ongoing space mission run by NASA with the goal of landing the first female astronaut and next male astronaut on the Moon's South Pole by 2024. It is the US space agency's first crewed Moon mission since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Q6. Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX launched ________ more astronauts on a flight to the International Space Station for NASA on 27 April 2022.
1. 3
2. 4
3. 5
4. 6
Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is 4. Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX launched four more astronauts on a flight to the International Space Station 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.

Q7. The mission aims to put humans back on the moon for the first time after the Apollo 17 mission. The missions will also send the first woman and first person of colour to the lunar surface. This is most likely the description of
1. Voyager-2 Space Probe
2. Artemis program
3. New Horizons Mission
4. DART Mission
Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is Artemis program. NASA's Artemis mission aims to put humans back on the moon for the first time after the Apollo 17 mission fifty years ago. The space agency has built the most powerful rocket ever, the Space Launch System SLS, which will carry all the spacecraft part of Artemis missions.

Q8. Hayabusa-2 space mission belongs to which space agency?
1. JAXA
2. NASA
3. CNSA
4. ISRO
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is JAXA. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 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.

Q9. According to ISRO, the X-ray spectrometer CLASS of the ______________ Orbiter has mapped an abundance of sodium on the moon for the first time in October 2022.
1. Chandrayaan-2
2. ASTROSAT
3. NISAR
4. Mangalyaan
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is Chandrayaan-2. The X-ray spectrometer CLASS on the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter has mapped an abundance of sodium on the moon for the first time, according to ISRO. The findings of the spectrometer were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters in the last week of Sept 2022.

Q10. The spacecraft launched by NASA to study the Sun is -
1. Parker Solar Probe
2. Probing Sun
3. Mission on Sun
4. Hawking Solar Probe
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer of above Question is option 1. The Parker Solar Probe's mission is to study the outer corona of the Sun. Named after physicist Eugene Parker, pioneer in heliophysics and solar wind research. The mission aims to solve two key solar mysteries: how the solar wind accelerates and why the Sun's outer atmosphere corona is hotter than its surface.

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