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.

In this detailed article, we will learn about the SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) mission which will travel to Sun (observing from Sun-Earth L1 point), aiming to examine its operational features, onboard systems, and relevance for international collaboration.

• SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory), launched on December 2, 1995, is expected to play a pivotal role in space research and technology.  
• The scientific community has identified a pressing need, and thus, the primary objective of this endeavor is to Study Sun's interior, outer atmosphere, and solar wind. The anticipated results are expected to be transformative.  
• This Solar observatory served as a key test for new technologies and different ways of operating.  
• The flight path for the Atlas IIAS was charted with extraordinary precision by astrodynamicists. 
• The missions departure point was Cape Canaveral, LC-36B, where the launch was successfully carried out. 
• From start to finish, the mission ran for Ongoing (far exceeded design life). 
• The entire mission was overseen by ESA, NASA. 
• The final outcome of the mission was Operational. 
• NASA invested ESA ~$650 million; NASA ~$550 million (excluding operations) in SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory), targeting new discoveries through advanced robotics and space instrumentation. 

SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) carries 12 instruments (eg, EIT, LASCO, MDI, SUMER, UVCS, SWAN) for advanced measurements, enabling deeper insights into planetary systems and space conditions.

SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) relied on Long-term operation at L1, comprehensive suite of solar instruments to achieve greater operational independence and efficiency in unstructured space settings. In this article, we’ve explored every phase of SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory)—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 SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) Space Mission Overview 

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SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) Space Mission Global Contributions

NASA (launch, operations, some instruments) played a key role in SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory), contributing to payload development and mission operations.

• SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) featured NASA provided several instruments and launch that enabled autonomous calibration, targeting, and sample collection. 
• Companies like Matra Marconi Space (now Airbus - prime contractor for ESA) brought specialized expertise that improved cost-effectiveness and technological performance. 
• Vast solar data archive publicly available; key for space weather helped unify efforts across space agencies and research institutions, advancing shared knowledge and global capabilities. 
• SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) demonstrated a strong policy impact by Revolutionized solar physics; cornerstone of space weather prediction, fostering new partnerships and shaping future governance frameworks. 

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Challenges & Risk in SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) Space Mission

The complexity of SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) increased due to issues like Recovery from near-loss of mission; managing aging gyroscopes, but thanks to swift identification and mitigation techniques, the mission was able to continue its objectives with minimal disruption.

• Temporary loss of contact in 1998 (recovered); gyroscope issues was one of the significant issues faced during SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory), requiring coordinated mitigation efforts. 
• As part of NASAs commitment to sustainable exploration, SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) resulted in Operational at Sun-Earth L1 point. 

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Mission Timeline of SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) NASA Space Mission

• The mission concept was officially proposed on 1980s. 
• On February 14, 1996 (L1 halo orbit insertion), mission control confirmed the spacecraft’s successful encounter with its target, with all systems performing as expected. 
• On December 1997 (End of 2-year prime mission), all core mission tasks were completed, marking the official end of the spacecraft’s planned journey. 

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UPSC Relevance of SOHO Mission (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory)

• The UPSC Prelims gives significant weight to space missions like those by NASA, reflecting their role in advancing science and technology.
• In GS Paper 3, NASA missions serve as examples to explain concepts such as innovation, sustainability, and the ethical use of advanced technologies.
• 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.
• UPSC optional subjects like PSIR, Anthropology, and Public Administration can benefit from NASA examples when discussing themes like soft power, collective leadership, and institutional accountability in high-stakes missions.

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:

1. Water is only found on the dark side shadowy region of the moon.
2. NASAs Artemis programme plans to send the first woman and the next man to the Moon in 2024.
3. Water on the moon can be utilized for purposes such as generating rocket fuel.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2
3. 1 and 3
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: 1 only
Solution: Water has been found on both sunlit and dark sides of the moon. Thus, the first statement is incorrect. The remaining two statements are correct.

Q2. Consider the following statements.

1. Boeing and SpaceX were selected by NASA in September 2014 to develop transportation systems meant to transfer crew from the US to the ISS.
2. Crew-1 mission is part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program.

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: Both 1 and 2
Solution: On November 14, SpaceXs Crew Dragon spacecraft will lift off from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying a crew of four people to the International Space Station ISS on a six-month-long mission. Boeing and SpaceX were selected by NASA in September 2014 to develop transportation systems meant to transfer crew from the US to the ISS. Hence statement 1 is correct. The Crew-1 mission is part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program, whose objective is to make access to space easier in terms of its cost, so that cargo and crew can be easily transported to and from the ISS, enabling greater scientific research. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Q3. SpaceX Demo-2 mission, recently seen in the news, is an initiative of which of the following agency?

1. NASA
2. European Space Agency
3. ISRO
4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Answer: NASA
Solution: On May 27, NASAs SpaceX Demo-2 test flight will lift off for the International Space Station ISS, becoming the first crewed flight to launch from American soil since the conclusion of the space shuttle era in 2011.

Q4. 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. NISAR will be put into orbit in 2022 by ISROs Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota near Chennai. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. The radar penetrates clouds and darkness, enabling NISAR to collect data day and night in any weather. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding NISAR, which was recently in news:

1. It is a Joint initiative of ISRO and the European space agency, ESA.
2. It refers to a technique for producing high-resolution images.

Which of the above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: 2 only
Solution: NASA and ISRO are collaborating on developing an SUV-sized satellite called NISAR, which will detect movements of the planets surface as small as 0.4 inches over areas about half the size of a tennis court. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect. The satellite will be launched in 2022 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota Andhra Pradesh into a near-polar orbit.

Q6. On 4 May 2021, Which of the following company launched 60 Starlink Satellites?

1. SpaceX
2. ISRO
3. JAXA
4. CNSA

Answer: SpaceX
Solution: SpaceX launched 60 Starlink Internet satellites from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, U.S.A. Falcon 9 rocket was used for the launch.

Q7. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

1. Tianwen-1 - Japan
2. Hope - USA
3. Mars 2020 - Russian Federation

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. None of the above

Answer: None of the above
Solution: The Tianwen-1 Spacecraft was lifted off on a Long March 5 rocket, from the Wenchang launch centre in July 2020. The lander from Tianwen-1 has touched down on Utopia Planitia, a large plain in the northern hemisphere of Mars. The UAE's Mars Mission called Hope was announced in 2015 with the aim of creating mankind's first integrated model of the Red planet's atmosphere. Hence, pair 2 is incorrectly matched. The mission is designed to better understand the geology of Mars and seek signs of ancient life. National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASAs Perseverance Rover has landed on Mars. Hence, pair 3 is incorrectly matched.

Q8. 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 ESA
2. Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO
3. National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA
4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA

Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA
Solution: NASA has selected two missions to the planet Venus, Earths 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. NASA is expected to allot 500 million dollars to each of these missions that will launch between 2028-2030.

Q9. The Dragon Endeavour is the spacecraft of which space company?

1. Air Launch
2. Space X
3. Kinet X
4. Astra

Answer: Space X
Solution: Behnken and Hurley left in a vehicle called Crew Dragon Endeavour. A spaceship designed, built, and operated by SpaceX with about 2.7 billion dollars in government funding. It's SpaceXs second experimental flight of the vehicle, a mission called Demo-2. The Demo-2 missions departure makes SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk in 2002. The first company in NASAs Commercial Crew Program to successfully pull off a visit to the 150 billion dollars, football field-size laboratory.

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 8300 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo, has reached International Space Station on 21 February 2022, less than two days after it was launched. NASA informed that supplies inside Cygnus spacecraft carry ingredients for experiments to grow plants without soil. Hence, option 3 is correct.

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