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.

NASA’s Jason-1 Satellite is designed to investigate Earth (non-Sun-synchronous orbit for altimetry), with hopes of unlocking critical data about its operational frameworks and scientific potential.

• Jason-1 Satellite was launched on December 7, 2001, marking a significant step forward in space exploration.  
• This projects fundamental objective, to Continue TOPEX/Poseidon ocean surface topography measurements, addresses key scientific questions that have long intrigued researchers in the field.  
• Engineers and scientists decided this operation was a Ocean altimetry satellite, which guided all the planning that came after.  
• This mission was one of the notable flights for the distinguished Delta II 7920-10C. 
• Vandenberg AFB, SLC-2W served as the launch site for this important space mission. 
• Its total duration was Over 11 years. 
• NASA, CNES led the planning and execution of the mission. 
• The final outcome of the mission was Completed (Successful). 
• Funded by NASA ~$150 million; CNES contribution similar, NASA’s Jason-1 Satellite focused on space technology development and interplanetary research breakthroughs. 

Jason-1 Satellite is equipped with Poseidon-2 altimeter, Jason Microwave Radiometer (JMR), DORIS, TRSR, LRA to support scientific innovation and real-time decision-making in space.

The Jason-1 Satellite mission deployed Follow-on precision radar altimetry, 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 Jason-1 Satellite which is useful in UPSC Prelims & UPSC Mains Papers.

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NASA Jason-1 Satellite Space Mission Overview 

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

Jason-1 Satellite Space Mission Global Contributions

Working alongside CNES (co-lead, Poseidon-2, spacecraft bus, operations), NASA’s Jason-1 Satellite aimed to build a cooperative future for autonomous exploration.

• Jason-1 Satellite carried Significant contributions from CNES designed to enable new research capabilities and reduce reliance on Earth-based operations. 
• Alcatel Space (now Thales Alenia Space - built satellite) contributed essential systems and platforms that enabled timely delivery and advanced operational readiness for the mission. 
• Continued critical sea level data for climate studies supported transparent, cross-agency research, enhancing the scientific return from autonomous exploration missions. 
• The success of Jason-1 Satellite marked a major shift in space policy by Ensured continuity of multi-decadal sea level record, promoting broader cooperation in future missions. 

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Challenges & Risk in Jason-1 Satellite Space Mission

Despite facing technical difficulties like Managing aging spacecraft systems, the mission team implemented timely corrective actions that ensured Jason-1 Satellite stayed aligned with its core scientific and operational goals.

• Jason-1 Satellite navigated technical risks, including Transmitter issues later in mission, by deploying robust backup protocols and hardware redundancy. 
• The final status of the spacecraft from Jason-1 Satellite — Moved to disposal orbit — reflects NASA’s evolving approach to mission lifecycle management. 

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Mission Timeline of Jason-1 Satellite NASA Space Mission

• A formal proposal detailing the mission objectives was submitted on Mid-1990s. 
• The date Not applicable represented a pivotal moment as the mission entered its most critical phase. 
• NASA declared the July 2013 (Decommissioned) as the official end of the mission’s primary objectives, celebrating a successful outcome. 

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UPSC Relevance of Jason-1 Satellite

• UPSC Prelims tests awareness of global scientific milestones, with NASA missions serving as key examples of technological achievement.
• 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.
• 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. In December 2022 which of the following Arab countries launched lunar spacecraft?
1. UAE
2. Saudi Arab
3. Qatar
4. Kuwait
Answer: UAE
Solution: The UAE successfully launched the first-ever Arab-Built lunar spacecraft. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried the spacecraft into space on 12 Dec 2022 from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Rashid Rover was built by Dubai's Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and is being delivered by the HAKUTO-R lander, engineered by a Japanese lunar exploration company.

Q2. In May 2023, NASA has awarded which of the following company to build a spacecraft that will send astronauts to and from the moon's surface?
1. Virgin Galactic
2. Blue Origin
3. Bigelow Aerospace, Inc.
4. SpaceX
Answer: Blue Origin
Solution: NASA awarded Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos's company, a contract worth 3.4 billion dollars to build a spacecraft that will send astronauts to and from the moon's surface. Blue Origin will design, develop, test, and verify its Blue Moon lander to meet NASA's requirements for human landing systems. The contract includes an uncrewed demonstration mission to the lunar surface, followed by a crewed demonstration on the Artemis V mission in 2029.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Atmospheric Waves Experiment AWE:
1. It is an experimental attempt by ISRO aimed at studying the interactions between terrestrial and Space weather.
2. It will study the links between how waves in the lower layers of the atmosphere impact the upper atmosphere.
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: option 2
Solution: AWE is a first-of-its-kind NASA experimental attempt aimed at studying the interactions between terrestrial and Space weather. Planned under NASA's Heliophysics Explorers Program, the mission will study the links between how waves in the lower layers of the atmosphere impact the upper atmosphere. AWE will be launched and mounted on the exterior of the Earth-orbiting International Space Station ISS.

Q4. What is the name of NASA's unmanned lander which recently landed on Mars?
1. Insight
2. Shakti
3. PSLV
4. Exomars
Answer: Insight
Solution: NASA's InSight lander successfully touched down on Mars on November 26, 2018. It is a stationary lander designed to study the deep interior of Mars, including its crust, mantle, and core. The lander carries a suite of scientific instruments to collect data about the planet's interior structure and composition.

Q5. Which one of the following statements is true for James Webb Space Telescope launched in December 2021?
1. It orbits the Sun, about 15 lakh km away from the Earth.
2. It orbits the Earth, about 15 lakh km away.
3. It is stationary in space nearly 10 lakh km away from the Earth.
4. It revolves around the Moon nearly 3.5 lakh km away from the Earth.
Answer: It orbits the Sun, about 15 lakh km away from the Earth.
Solution: The James Webb Space Telescope JWST is positioned at the Second Lagrange Point L2, which is nearly 1.5 million kilometers away from the Earth. This location allows the JWST to stay in line with the Earth as it orbits the Sun, providing a stable environment for observations.

Q6. Which company launched the mission on September 28, 2024, to retrieve NASA astronauts stranded on the ISS due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft?
1. Blue Origin
2. SpaceX
3. Rocket Lab
4. Northrop Grumman
Answer: SpaceX
Solution: SpaceX launched its Crew-9 mission on September 28, 2024, to the International Space Station ISS using a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The mission's main objective is to return NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been stranded on the ISS due to propulsion system issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding PACE satellite:
I. It is NASA's satellite mission to study ocean health, air quality and effects of climate change.
II. PACE satellite was successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket on 8th February, 2024.
Which among the above statements is/are incorrect?
1. I only
2. II only
3. Both I and II
4. None of the above
Answer: None of the above
Solution: NASA's PACE Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem satellite is aimed at studying ocean health, air quality, and the effects of climate change. The mission is designed to extend and improve NASA's over 20-year record of satellite observations of global ocean biology, aerosols, and clouds. PACE satellite has not yet been launched.

Q8. Consider the following pairs:
Space Station - Country
1. Salyut 1 - China
2. Skylab - USA
3. International Space Station ISS - Multiple nations USA, Russia, ESA, JAXA, CSA
4. Tiangong - Soviet Union USSR
How many of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four
Answer: option 2
Solution:
Salyut: Incorrect. World's first space station, launched by the Soviet Union USSR in 1971.
Skylab: Correct. USA's first space station, launched by NASA in 1973.
International Space Station: Correct. A collaborative project involving USA, Russia, ESA, JAXA, and CSA.
Tiangong: Incorrect. Operated exclusively by China, launched in 2021 and fully operational in 2022.

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding NASA's SPHEREx Mission:
1. NASA has developed SPHEREx, a space telescope, to explore the origins of the universe.
2. The mission aims to provide insights into cosmic inflation, the rapid expansion of the universe that occurred a fraction of a second after the Big Bang.
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: option 3
Solution: SPHEREx has been designed to study the origins of the universe and search for water reservoirs in the Milky Way. One of its primary goals is to study cosmic inflation, the rapid expansion of the universe that happened within a fraction of a second after the Big Bang.

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