NASA (which stands for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is the main U.S. agency for space exploration. It was started back in 1958, partly because the Soviet Union had just launched Sputnik, the first satellite. NASA is a world leader in exploring space, doing everything from building satellites and sending people into space to exploring other planets and carrying out advanced science. What NASA does helps create new technologies we can all use and encourages countries to work together peacefully in space.

Through the LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission, NASA aims to study Deep Space (observing gravitational waves), shedding light on its systems, operations, and the mysteries it holds.

• The successful launch of LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) on Planned mid-2030s (ESA-led) set the stage for important scientific advancements.  
• Engineers and scientists have collaborated extensively to meet the missions key objective, which is to Detect and study low-frequency gravitational waves, requiring innovative technological solutions.  
• This Astrophysics satellite constellation (gravitational wave observatory) served as a key test for new technologies and different ways of operating.  
• The powerful Ariane 6 (planned) stood poised on the launchpad, a testament to human ambition and engineering. 
• The mission began with a launch from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou (planned). 
• 4-10 years (planned) was the length of the mission from launch to completion. 
• The mission was organized and implemented by ESA (lead), NASA (partner). 
• Mission result: In development (adopted by ESA). 
• NASA’s LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna), with a projected cost of ESA cost ~€15 billion+; NASA contribution significant, marks a milestone in automated space operations. 

LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is equipped with Laser interferometers between three spacecraft, free-falling test masses to support scientific innovation and real-time decision-making in space.

LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) incorporated Space-based laser interferometry over millions of kilometers to enable autonomous decision-making and enhance adaptability in space environments. This comprehensive article on NASA LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) Space mission helps UPSC aspirants understand the full life cycle of a modern space mission which is relevant for GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3, GS Paper 4, and Essay.

Get Free Materials for UPSC Preparation by Testbook!

NASA LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) Space Mission Overview 

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

LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) Space Mission Global Contributions

LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) was jointly executed with NASA (providing key hardware components and science support), promoting shared research in autonomous and remote space systems.

• NASA’s LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) benefited from Telescopes, lasers, phasemeters, test masses from NASA/ESA, which supported advanced data collection and autonomous experimentation. 
• With support from European aerospace industry for spacecraft and instruments, the mission benefitted from streamlined production, modern engineering, and rapid integration. 
• Data will be shared with global scientific community helped unify efforts across space agencies and research institutions, advancing shared knowledge and global capabilities. 
• LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) had a significant impact on global space policy as Will open new window on universe (low-frequency gravitational waves), influencing international collaboration and setting new standards for space exploration. 

Checkout: Daily UPSC Current Affairs for your upcoming exam and get thorough with detailed Insights, Trends and Latest Developments for UPSC CSE Exam

Challenges & Risk in LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) Space Mission

Even with substantial challenges such as Technical complexity of precision interferometry in space, LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) was able to maintain operational continuity through rigorous diagnostics, system calibration, and expert mission control intervention.

• Extreme precision required for measurements; maintaining formation was one of the significant issues faced during LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna), requiring coordinated mitigation efforts. 
• LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) concludes with Will operate in solar orbit, which contributes to discussions around orbital sustainability and debris management. 

Download UPSC Previous Year Question Paper PDFs for UPSC Prelims & Mains!

Mission Timeline of LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) NASA Space Mission

• Originated 1990s (NASA/ESA joint studies); ESA selected 2017 marks the date when the mission was first approved for consideration. 
• A key design milestone was achieved during the CDR held on To be determined. 
• The final spacecraft assembly wrapped up on To be determined, paving the way for pre-launch assessments and validation. 
• The mission safely reached its landing/flyby destination on Not applicable, staying on track with the projected timeline. 
• With the end of the primary mission on 4-10 years after commissioning (planned), scientists began analyzing the extensive data gathered during the mission. 

Get to Know the detailed UPSC Syllabus for IAS Prelims & Mains Exam!

UPSC Relevance of LISA Mission (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna)

• Scientific advancements and innovations by NASA are a recurring theme in the UPSC Prelims, reflecting their global significance. 
• Discussions in GS Paper 2 about international cooperation in space exploration can reference NASA’s joint missions with other countries and agencies.
• UPSC CSE GS Paper 4 (Ethics) could present case studies based on the teamwork and leadership displayed during high-stakes NASA missions, assessing ethical decision-making in extreme environments.
• The ethical and strategic challenges of NASA missions—like space militarization risks, autonomy, and data-sharing—are relevant to PSIR, Philosophy, and Geography optionals, especially in discussions on global security and technological responsibility.

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
educationprovince.com

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 space craft 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. Parker Solar Probe was launched by NASA on August 12, 2018, to study the outer corona of the Sun. Named after physicist Eugene Parker, it utilizes a custom heat shield made of carbon-carbon composite to withstand extreme solar temperatures. The mission aims to solve two key solar mysteries: how the solar wind accelerates and why the Sun's outer atmosphere is hotter than its surface. Data from the probe is helping to improve forecasts of space weather that affects life and technology on Earth. As of 2023, it is still operational, providing unprecedented information about the Sun's activity.

Q2. 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 correct answer is 1, 2 and 3. The MAIA mission is a joint effort between NASA and the Italian Space Agency ASI to investigate the health impacts of air pollution in the world’s most populated cities. The mission is planned to last three years.

Q3. Chandrayaan-3 is the third Moon mission by India's space agency ISRO. Consider the following statements about various lunar missions:
1. The United States is the only country that has successfully landed humans on the Moon.
2. The Chang'e 4 mission, conducted by China, successfully achieved the ambitious goal of collecting lunar samples from the Moon's surface and returning them to Earth.
3. LUNA and VIPER are a series of missions including orbiters, landers, and rovers sent by Russia to study the Moon.
How many of the statements are correct?
1. only one
2. only two
3. All are correct
4. None is correct
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is only one. The United States is indeed the only country that has successfully landed humans on the Moon. The Chang'e 4 mission did not return samples to Earth, and LUNA and VIPER are not missions sent by Russia.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the NISAR mission:
1. NISAR represents an equal collaboration between NASA and ISRO, marking the first time these two agencies have cooperated in the development of hardware for an Earth-observing mission.
2. NISAR's advanced radar systems will comprehensively scan nearly all of Earth's land and ice surfaces every 24 days.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is Option 1. NISAR represents an equal collaboration between NASA and ISRO, marking the first time these two agencies have cooperated in the development of hardware for an Earth-observing mission. However, NISAR's advanced radar systems will scan nearly all of Earth's land and ice surfaces every 12 days, not 24.

Q5. What is the name of the mission aiming to launch the world's first wooden satellite into orbit?
1. LignoSat
2. WoodSat
3. EcoOrbit
4. BiodegradeSat
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is LignoSat. NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are set to launch the world's first wooden satellite into orbit called LignoSat. The satellite will be constructed primarily from treated Japanese magnolia wood and aims to address the growing issue of space debris by utilizing a renewable and biodegradable material for spacecraft construction.

Q6. Proba - 3 Mission, which will be launched aboard ISRO's PSLV, is associated with which space agency?
1. ESA (European Space Agency)
2. CNSA (The China National Space Administration)
3. NASA (The National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
4. JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is ESA (European Space Agency). The Proba-3 mission is associated with the European Space Agency and is scheduled to be launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle operated by ISRO. The primary objective of the mission is to study the Sun's corona by creating an artificial solar eclipse.

Q7. Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair have been selected as prime and backup mission pilots for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
1. Shubhanshu Shukla
2. Abhishek Nayar
3. Arjun Rastogi
4. Jagat Singh
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is Shubhanshu Shukla. India has selected two Indian Air Force pilots, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the prime astronaut and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair as the backup astronaut for the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS.

Q8. Consider the following space stations:
1. International Space Station
2. Tiangong Space Station
3. Bharatiya Anthariksh Station (BAS-1)
How many of the above-mentioned space stations are currently in orbit?
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. None
Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is option 2. Currently, the International Space Station and Tiangong Space Station are operational and in orbit. The Bharatiya Anthariksh Station is still under development.

Q9. 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: 3
Solution: The correct answer is Soyuz MS-25. The Russian Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft successfully landed in Kazakhstan on September 23, 2024, returning Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, along with NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson.

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: The correct answer is option 2. IXPE is the world's first telescope designed to study X-ray polarization of cosmic phenomena. NASA's IXPE mission has recently provided critical evidence solving a long-standing mystery about the origin of X-ray emissions in black hole jets, specifically in the blazar BL Lacertae.

Subject-wise Prelims Previous Year Questions
Geography PYQ UPSC Prelims	Polity PYQ UPSC Prelims
Environment PYQ UPSC Prelims	Ancient History PYQ UPSC Prelims
Modern History PYQ UPSC Prelims	Medieval History PYQ UPSC Prelims

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