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.

This article focuses about Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) which aims on Earth (orbital flight), gathering key information to better understand its current role in ongoing research and spaceflight.

• The launch of Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) on February 20, 1962 signified the beginning of a new chapter in scientific discovery.  
• The principal objective set forth for this venture is to First US human orbital spaceflight; observe human in orbit. This focus ensures that the mission will deliver high-impact results relevant to pressing global challenges or fundamental scientific inquiries.  
• The decision to go ahead with this Crewed orbital test flight was made only after thorough safety checks and many practice runs.  
• People in the control room carefully watched the Atlas LV-3B (109-D)s performance as it flew upwards. 
• Cape Canaveral, LC-14, Florida served as the launch site for this important space mission. 
• The mission lasted for 4 hours, 55 minutes, 23 seconds. 
• The mission was organized and implemented by NASA. 
• The mission was classified as Completed (Successful) upon completion. 
• Funded by Part of Project Mercury total cost, NASA’s Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) focused on space technology development and interplanetary research breakthroughs. 

The payload of Mercury spacecraft No 13, camera aboard Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) enhances both mission autonomy and scientific output.

Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) relied on Atlas rocket, Mercury capsule, manual flight control tests to achieve greater operational independence and efficiency in unstructured space settings. In this article, we’ve explored every phase of Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7)—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 Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Space Mission Overview 

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

Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Space Mission Global Contributions

• Through partnerships with McDonnell Aircraft (spacecraft), Convair (booster), NASA integrated private sector innovations to streamline spacecraft development and deployment. 
• Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) had a transformative effect on global space policy by Major US achievement in Space Race, first American orbit, shaping future agreements and operational standards for space activities worldwide. 

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Challenges & Risk in Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Space Mission

Even with substantial challenges such as Automatic control system issues, heat shield concerns (false alarm), Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) was able to maintain operational continuity through rigorous diagnostics, system calibration, and expert mission control intervention.

• The team behind Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) overcame engineering constraints such as Heat shield sensor concerns during flight, manual reentry through iterative system tuning. 

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Mission Timeline of Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) NASA Space Mission

• A formal proposal detailing the mission objectives was submitted on Project Mercury initiated October 1958. 
• The project passed its final design review on Flight safety review February 15, 1962, enabling progression to build phase. 
• The engineering team completed the spacecraft assembly process on Capsule arrived Cape August 27, 1961, verifying all mechanical and structural systems. 
• On February 20, 1962 (Splashdown Atlantic Ocean), the spacecraft reached its designated target, transmitting valuable data back to Earth. 
• Although the primary mission officially ended on February 20, 1962 (Astronaut and spacecraft recovery), there was potential for continued data collection and extended operations. 

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UPSC Relevance of Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7)

• The UPSC Prelims gives significant weight to space missions like those by NASA, reflecting their role in advancing science and technology.
• NASA’s exploration efforts, such as Mars and Psyche missions, can be cited in GS Paper 3 answers dealing with frontier technologies and research.
• NASA’s transparent communication about mission setbacks can be used in UPSC CSE GS Paper 4 (Ethics) to illustrate ethical behavior in maintaining public trust and institutional credibility.
• 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. Consider the following statements regarding the heliophysics missions.
1. These missions are brain-child of ISRO to explore the Sun.
2. It will observe the system that drives space weather near Earth.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: 2 only
Solution: The heliophysics missions are the brain-child of NASA. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. The missions will explore the sun and observe the system that drives space weather near Earth. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the UAE’s Hope Mars Mission:
1. With the successful Mars orbit insertion, the UAE becomes the third entity to reach the Red Planet, joining the European Space Agency and India.
2. Hope mission is the Arab world's second interplanetary mission.
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: Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: With the successful Mars orbit insertion, the UAE becomes the fifth entity to reach the Red Planet, joining NASA, the Soviet Union, the European Space Agency, and India. Hence statement 1 is not correct. The 'Hope' mission is the Arab world's first interplanetary mission, not the second. Hence statement 2 is not correct.

Q3. Consider the following statements.
1. ISRO has completed the development of NISAR in collaboration with NASA.
2. NISAR will produce extremely high-resolution images of the earth.
3. It will be put into orbit by a reusable rocket of SpaceX.
4. The data obtained from NISAR will be useful to estimate agricultural biomass over the full duration of the crop cycle.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
1. 1, 2, and 3 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1, 2 and 4 only
4. All are correct

Answer: 1, 2 and 4 only
Solution: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has completed the development of radar capable of producing extremely high-resolution images for a joint earth observation satellite mission with NASA. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is not correct as NISAR will be put into orbit by ISRO's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding NISAR.
1. It is the joint collaboration of ISRO and the European Space Agency.
2. It will scan the globe every 12 days over the course of its three-year mission of imaging the Earth’s land, ice sheets, and sea ice to give an unprecedented view of the planet.
3. ISRO will provide the spacecraft bus, the second type of radar (called the S-band radar), the launch vehicle, and associated launch services.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. 3 only

Answer: 2 and 3 only
Solution: NASA and ISRO are collaborating on developing a satellite called NISAR. Hence statement 1 is not correct. Statement 2 is correct as it will scan the globe every 12 days. Statement 3 is correct as ISRO will provide the spacecraft bus and other components.

Q5. In the context of space technology, what is Crew-2 Mission recently in the news?
1. A mini satellite launched by NASA.
2. The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe by NASA.
3. The astronauts launching mission to the International Space Station (ISS) by NASA and SpaceX.
4. A space telescope development by NASA.

Answer: The astronauts launching mission to the International Space Station (ISS) by NASA and SpaceX.
Solution: Four astronauts were launched to the International Space Station from Florida as part of a collaboration between NASA and SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program. The mission is called Crew-2.

Q6. Which of the following institution announced its two new robotic missions namely Davinci+ and Veritas, to Venus to examine the atmosphere and geological features on the planet?
1. European Space Agency
2. Indian Space Research Organisation
3. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Solution: NASA has selected two missions to the planet Venus, Earth’s nearest neighbour. The missions called DAVINCI+ and VERITAS have been selected based on their potential for scientific value and the feasibility of their development plans.

Q7. The VIPER Mission is related to which of the following organization?
1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2. Russian Federal Space Agency
3. European Space Agency
4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Solution: NASA has announced that it will launch its Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, or VIPER, in 2023 to understand if it is possible for human life to sustain there, by using locally available resources.

Q8. Spacecraft, Near-Earth Asteroid Scout or NEA Scout is related to which of the following space organization?
1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2. Indian Space Research Organisation
3. European Space Agency
4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Solution: NASA has announced that its new spacecraft, named Near-Earth Asteroid Scout or NEA Scout, has completed all required tests and has been safely tucked inside the Space Launch System rocket.

Q9. Perseverance rover has successfully collected its first rock sample for return to Earth. It is a mission of which of the following space organization?
1. Indian Space Research Organisation
2. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
3. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
4. European Space Agency

Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Solution: NASA’s Perseverance rover has successfully collected its first rock sample for return to Earth. NASA plans to launch more spacecraft to retrieve the samples collected by Perseverance.

Q10. Cygnus spacecraft launched by NASA is seen recently in the context of
1. It uses solar power to enter into its desired orbit
2. It provides real-time portal for Mars exploration
3. It carry ingredients for experiments to grow plants without soil
4. It has been send to destroy targeted space debris

Answer: It carry ingredients for experiments to grow plants without soil
Solution: Cygnus spacecraft, which is carrying a fresh supply of scientific investigations and cargo, has reached the International Space Station. NASA informed that supplies inside Cygnus spacecraft carry ingredients for experiments to grow plants without soil.

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