NASA believes in sharing its scientific findings openly. The information from its satellites is used by people all over the world to watch over the environment, deal with disasters, and study our climate. By being open and sharing what it learns with everyone, NASA helps make sure science is fair and benefits people everywhere. In this article, we will learn about the ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) mission which will explore more about Sun-Earth L1, Comet Giacobini-Zinner, Comet Halley, heliosphere, capturing vital data that will support future exploration, human habitation, or satellite operations.

• On August 12, 1978, NASA launched ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer), initiating a mission aimed at advancing our knowledge of space.  
• At its core, the mission has a singular, critical objective: to Study Sun-Earth interactions, then repurposed for cometary flybys. All resources and efforts are aligned to ensure this outcome is successfully met.  
• The unique difficulties of a Heliophysics and cometary flyby mission required the whole team to think creatively to find solutions.  
• The huge size and complicated nature of the Delta 2914 amazed everyone who got a close look at it. 
• Liftoff occurred at Cape Canaveral, LC-17B, kicking off the mission. 
• It remained active for Operated by NASA until 1997; later rebooted by citizen scientists. 
• NASA, ESA (some instrument involvement) was responsible for launching and monitoring the mission. 
• Final status of the mission: Original NASA mission completed; later citizen effort had partial success. 

The payload of Magnetometer, plasma wave instrument, energetic particle detectors, radio mapping aboard ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) enhances both mission autonomy and scientific output.

NASA’s ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) used First spacecraft at L1; complex gravity assists for comet encounters to push the boundaries of robotic intelligence and spacecraft autonomy. By exploring international partnerships, data-sharing frameworks, and global policy impacts, this article on NASAs ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) Space Mission offers valuable insights for UPSC Prelims and Mains GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3 and Essay preparation.

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NASA ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) Space Mission Overview 

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

ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) Space Mission Global Contributions

NASA partnered with ESA provided some instrument components for ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer), strengthening international efforts in robotic space exploration.

• NASA included European contributions to some instruments in ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) to demonstrate self-directed payload management in space. 
• Data archived and publicly available played a key role in maximizing the impact of mission data through shared scientific analysis. 
• With ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer), NASA’s innovative efforts led to First L1 libration point mission; first comet intercept, reinforcing commitments to international space treaties. 

Challenges & Risk in ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) Space Mission

The complexity of ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) increased due to issues like Repurposing for cometary flybys with limited fuel and old systems, but thanks to swift identification and mitigation techniques, the mission was able to continue its objectives with minimal disruption.

• The team behind ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) overcame engineering constraints such as Complex trajectory design for cometary encounters through iterative system tuning. 
• ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) has a defined environmental footprint, described as In solar orbit (status uncertain after citizen effort), which reflects its post-mission trajectory and impact. 

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Mission Timeline of ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer) NASA Space Mission

• The mission concept was officially proposed on Early 1970s. 
• Engineers and scientists celebrated the success of the landing/flyby event on September 11, 1985 (Giacobini-Zinner); March 28, 1986 (Halley distant), a major milestone for the mission. 
• After months of successful operation, the mission team officially marked 1997 (NASA mission end); Contact briefly re-established 2014 as the conclusion of the primary mission. 

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UPSC Relevance of ISEE-3 (International Sun-Earth Explorer-3) / ICE (International Cometary Explorer)

• NASA’s recent explorations and technological feats are directly relevant to the science and tech portion of the UPSC Prelims exam.
• NASA’s exploration efforts, such as Mars and Psyche missions, can be cited in GS Paper 3 answers dealing with frontier technologies and research.
• GS Paper 4 of the UPSC IAS Exam could present ethical dilemmas regarding public spending on high-risk scientific missions, using NASA’s funding strategies to evaluate responsible resource use.
• Whether exploring climate data from NASA satellites (Geography), understanding U.S. space policy impacts (PSIR), or ethical decision-making in high-risk missions (Philosophy), NASA Space Missions offer integrated value across multiple UPSC CSE Optional subjects.

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. Who's rover Perseverance to begin dropping samples of rock on surface of the Planet
1. Roscosmos, Jupiter
2. ISRO, Mars
3. NASA, Mars
4. JAXA, Earth

Answer: 3
Solution: NASA's Mars rover Perseverance to begin dropping samples of rock on the surface of the Red Planet Mars. The materials have been packaged in small titanium tubes with the expectation they can be picked up by a future mission and brought home. It is a major milestone in the try to find out whether there is life on Mars. Perseverance will place 10 cylinders on the ground at its exploration site in Jezero Crater. They contain a mix of volcanic and sedimentary rocks that the robot has drilled over the past 15 months. The location for the drop is a flat piece of terrain that's been nicknamed Three Forks.

Q2. The MAVEN Mission, which was launched in 2013 is related to which of the following?
1. Study the asteroids
2. To know about Venus
3. Study the Martian upper atmosphere
4. Study the southern part of the Moon

Answer: 3
Solution: With the help of high-resolution electric field data recorded by the Langmuir Probe and Waves instrument on the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution MAVEN spacecraft of NASA researchers identified the solitary waves. The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution MAVEN mission were launched in 2013. It is the first mission devoted to understanding the Martian upper atmosphere. Hence, option 3 is correct. The goal of this spacecraft is to determine the role that loss of atmospheric gas to space played in changing the Martian climate through time.

Q3. 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: 4
Solution: The Indian Express Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA announced on Wednesday that it is partnering with the Italian Space Agency ASI to build and launch the MAIA mission. The MAIA mission will collect and analyze data from the observatory, sensors on the ground, and atmospheric models. The mission name is Polaris Dawn. It is a SpaceX mission that aims to test new space technologies. The mission will involve a spacewalk by non-government astronauts.

Q4. What is the name of the NASA mission that was relaunched to intercept the God of Chaos asteroid?
1. OSIRIS-APEX
2. GEMINI
3. LCROSS-LPRP
4. VERITAS

Answer: 1
Solution: NASA relaunched a mission named OSIRIS-APEX to intercept God of Chaos asteroid. This asteroid, called Apophis, is coming closer to the Earth’s orbit, potentially posing a collision threat. The intended aim of this mission is to prevent the potential collision and understand the possible impact of such an event. The name of the mission is OSIRIS-REx, which has now been renamed as OSIRIS-APEX.

Q5. Which telescope is currently considered to be the most powerful in its reach?
1. Spitzer Space Telescope
2. Hubble Space Telescope
3. James Webb Space Telescope
4. Keck Observatory

Answer: 3
Solution: The James Webb Space Telescope JWST is a space telescope developed by NASA with contributions from the European Space Agency ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency CSA. The telescope is named after James E. Webb, who was the administrator of NASA from 1961 to 1968 and played an integral role in the Apollo program. JWST was launched on 25 December 2021 on Ariane flight VA256. JWST is a successor to Hubble Space Telescope.

Q6. Which company conducted the fourth test mission of the Starship rocket that survived reentry and achieved a demo landing?
1. Blue Origin
2. SpaceX
3. NASA
4. Boeing

Answer: 2
Solution: SpaceX's Starship rocket successfully survived reentry through Earth's atmosphere and splashed down in the Indian Ocean during its fourth test mission after launching from south Texas. The two-stage spacecraft consists of the Starship cruise vessel mounted atop its Super Heavy rocket booster. The rocket's previous attempts saw it breaking apart during reentry in March and exploding minutes after liftoff in April 2023. The test mission aims to improve the Starship's reentry and landing capabilities.

Q7. What is the name of the SpaceX mission that aims to test new space technologies and involve a spacewalk by non-government astronauts?
1. Polaris Dawn
2. Inspiration4
3. Starship Alpha
4. Artemis 4

Answer: 1
Solution: SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, launching August 26, 2024, will send a private crew, including Jared Isaacman, to altitudes of 870 miles, entering Earth's radiation belts. The mission will involve a unique pre-breathe process to prepare the crew for the spacewalk. SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule will be used for this mission.

Q8. What is the primary goal of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar NISAR mission?
1. Climate action
2. Defense satellites
3. Space tourism
4. Trade monitoring

Answer: 1
Solution: NISAR is a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO. The primary goal of NISAR is to monitor and measure changes in the Earth's surface, including ice sheets, forests, and agricultural lands, in order to understand climate change impacts. This mission is expected to significantly contribute to our understanding of Earth's carbon cycle and ecosystem changes, which are vital for climate action.

Q9. What is the name of NASA's new space telescope set to launch in February 2025, which aims to survey the entire sky in 102 infrared colors?
1. SPHEREx
2. James Webb Space Telescope 2.0
3. Hubble Space Telescope 2.0
4. Chandra-CRISP X-ray Observatory

Answer: 1
Solution: NASA's SPHEREx mission, scheduled for launch in February 2025, aims to map the entire sky in 102 infrared colors. SPHEREx stands for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer. Unlike targeted telescopes like JWST, SPHEREx will conduct an all-sky infrared survey.

Q10. The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer IXPE, recently seen in the news, is:
1. A Mars orbiter developed jointly by ISRO and NASA to study Martian dust storms.
2. The world's first telescope designed to study X-ray polarization of cosmic phenomena.
3. A space-based observatory to detect gravitational waves from neutron stars.
4. A radio telescope that maps dark matter in the early universe.

Answer: 2
Solution: IXPE stands for Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, launched jointly by NASA and the Italian Space Agency on December 9, 2021. It is the first satellite dedicated to measuring X-ray polarization, a crucial metric to study high-energy phenomena like black hole jets and blazars. IXPE’s success helps refine astrophysical models of active galactic nuclei and enhances our understanding of extreme cosmic environments.

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