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. NASA’s Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2) is designed to investigate International Space Station (ISS), with hopes of unlocking critical data about its operational frameworks and scientific potential.

• The launch of Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2) on May 19, 2022 signified the beginning of a new chapter in scientific discovery.  
• With a clearly defined scientific objective—namely, to Uncrewed test flight of Starliner to ISS; demonstrate capabilities—the team is poised to gather unprecedented data and significantly advance our understanding.  
• Everyone involved, including the crew and ground control, was very dedicated because they knew it was a Uncrewed test flight to ISS (Commercial Crew Program) with special goals.  
• Many people traveled from all over, hoping to see the amazing sight of the Atlas V N22 launching. 
• Cape Canaveral SFS, SLC-41 was the location where the mission was launched. 
• ~6 days (total mission duration, ~4 days at ISS) was the length of the mission from launch to completion. 
• The mission was organized and implemented by NASA (customer), Boeing (provider). 
• According to NASA records, the mission was Completed (Successful). 
• NASA allocated Part of ~$48 billion Boeing Commercial Crew contract for the ambitious Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2), pushing boundaries in aerospace innovation and planetary science. 

Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2) introduced Starliner spacecraft, test dummy (Rosie), some cargo, enhancing NASAs ability to conduct advanced research in deep space environments.

Powered by Commercial crew transportation system (uncrewed test), autonomous docking, Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2) aimed to reduce human intervention in complex space operations. In this article, we have break down the critical milestones, international impact, and strategic lessons of NASAs Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2) Space Mission, making it an useful resource for UPSC Aspirants in Mains GS Papers 2 and GS Paper 3, as well as for ethics and essay preparation.

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NASA Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2) Space Mission Overview 

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

Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2) Space Mission Global Contributions

NASA partnered with ISS international partners for docking/testing for Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2), strengthening international efforts in robotic space exploration.

• Companies like Boeing (developed/operated Starliner), ULA (launch) brought specialized expertise that improved cost-effectiveness and technological performance. 
• Flight test data shared with NASA for certification helped unify efforts across space agencies and research institutions, advancing shared knowledge and global capabilities. 
• Through Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2), NASA underscored its leadership by achieving Key step towards certifying second US commercial crew provider, encouraging updates to international space guidelines. 

Challenges & Risk in Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2) Space Mission

During various mission phases, Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2) had to manage risks like Previous OFT-1 failure; several thruster malfunctions during OFT-2 mission, which were resolved through creative engineering solutions and the application of redundant safety mechanisms.

• Repeat of OFT-1 which failed; thruster issues during OFT-2 posed a potential mission-limiting condition, but proactive mitigation ensured continued operation of Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2). 
• Sustainability and post-mission planning for Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2) are evident in its Starliner capsule designed for reuse. 

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Mission Timeline of Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2) NASA Space Mission

• The first steps toward mission development began with its proposal on Commercial Crew Program initiated ~2010. 
• The project passed its final design review on Boeing various CDRs leading to flight, enabling progression to build phase. 
• After months of preparation and travel, the spacecraft completed its planned landing/flyby on May 21, 2022 (Docking); May 25, 2022 (Landing), fulfilling core mission objectives. 
• On May 25, 2022 (Capsule recovery), mission control confirmed that all key milestones were achieved, closing the primary phase of the mission. 

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UPSC Relevance of Starliner OFT-2 (Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2)

• As a leader in space exploration, NASA’s missions provide important context for questions on scientific innovations in the UPSC Prelims.
• NASA’s contributions to global space policy and governance can be discussed under international relations in GS Paper 2.
• Questions in General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics) under the UPSC CSE Exam may reference NASA’s planetary exploration policies to discuss intergenerational responsibility and long-term sustainability ethics.
• Optional papers such as Anthropology, Geography, and Philosophy can use NASA’s deep space missions to examine human adaptability, technological ethics, and questions of existential risk and sustainability in modern science.

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. Which of the following missions are related to exploring the various facets of the Moon?
1. Artemis-I
2. Chang'e 4 project
3. VIPER Mission
4. Hope Mission
5. Crew 2 Mission
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
1. 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
2. 2, 4 and 5 only
3. 1, 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

Answer: 1, 2 and 3 only
Solution: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to launch the Artemis-1 mission, which will take humans back to the Moon after more than half a century. Artemis-1 will be NASA's first non-crew mission to the Moon in recent history, paving the stage for the human orbital mission (Artemis-2) and manned landing mission (Artemis 3) in 2025. Chang'e 4 is the fourth mission in China's lunar mission series which is named after the Chinese moon goddess. The tasks of the Chang'e-4 probe include low-frequency radio astronomical observation, surveying the terrain and landforms, detecting the mineral composition, and measuring the neutron radiation and neutral atoms to study the environment on the far side of the moon. VIPER stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover. It is a mobile robot. Its objectives include exploring the Moon's South Pole region, helping create lunar resource maps, evaluating the concentration of water as well as other potential resources on its surface, and understanding if it is possible for human life to sustain there, by using locally available resources.

Q2. Where will NASA send its next-generation atomic clock in 2019?
1. Mars
2. Moon
3. North Pole
4. Space

Answer: Space
Solution: NASA's Deep Space Atomic Clock has been pushing the timekeeping frontiers in space for more than two years.

Q3. _______ has successfully launched the pulsar navigation satellite XPNAV-1.
1. India
2. China
3. USA
4. Japan

Answer: China
Solution: China successfully launched the pulsar navigation satellite XPNAV-1 in 2016. The satellite XPNAV-1 stands for X-ray pulsar navigation.

Q4. Consider the following statements about Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE)
1. The GRACE mission is Jointly launched by NASA and ISRO.
2. The objective of this mission is to monitor and study Earth's gravity field and its changes over time.
3. The GRACE mission is used for monitoring the Earth's Resources, it can detect changes in the amount of water stored in the form of groundwater, surface water, and ice.
Choose the correct statement/s from the option given below:
1. 1 and 2 are Correct.
2. 2 and 3 are Correct
3. 1 and 3 are Correct.
4. All of the above

Answer: 2 and 3 are Correct
Solution: The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) is a satellite mission jointly conducted by NASA and the German Aerospace Center. The objective of the GRACE mission is to monitor and study Earth's gravity field and its changes over time. GRACE consists of two identical satellites that orbit the Earth in tandem. One of the main applications of GRACE is the monitoring of Earth's water resources.

Q5. Match List-I with List-II :
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
1. a - 2, b - 1, c - 4, d - 3
2. a - 3, b - 1, c - 4, d - 2
3. a - 2, b - 3, c - 4, d - 1
4. a - 3, b - 1, c - 2, d - 4

Answer: Option 1
Solution: The correct matches are Cassini-Huygens with Saturn and its rings, Juno with Jupiter, Artemis with Human Spaceflight - Moon to Mars, and VERITAS with Venus.

Q6. Which space organisation has successfully conducted cheapest mars mission?
1. ISRO
2. NASA
3. Roscosmos
4. JAXA

Answer: ISRO
Solution: ISRO was the world's first space agency to find water on the moon and insert a probe into orbit of Mars in its maiden attempt at the cheapest cost.

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding lunar landings:
1. No private company has successfully landed its spacecraft on the moon.
2. Only five national space agencies have accomplished a soft lunar landing.
3. The moon's atmosphere provides minimal resistance, making parachutes an effective landing mechanism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Answer: option 2
Solution: Intuitive Machines became the first private company to land on the moon in February 2024, followed by Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1. Before private companies, only five national space agencies had achieved successful soft lunar landings. The moon has no atmosphere, which makes parachutes completely ineffective for landing.

Q8. Which country’s mission successfully demonstrated artificial photosynthesis in space?
1. United States – Artemis
2. Russia – Soyuz MS
3. China – Shenzhou-19
4. India – Gaganyaan

Answer: China – Shenzhou-19
Solution: China's Shenzhou-19 crew conducted the first in-orbit artificial photosynthesis experiment aboard the Tiangong space station.

Q9. Which space manufacturer has developed NASA's Lunar Trailblazer satellite for detecting water on the moon?
1. Lockheed Martin
2. Boeing
3. SpaceX
4. Northrop Grumman

Answer: Lockheed Martin
Solution: NASA launched the Lunar Trailblazer satellite from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite was developed by Lockheed Martin’s space division.

Q10. Consider the following statements regarding lunar landings:
1. No private company has successfully landed its spacecraft on the moon.
2. Only five national space agencies have accomplished a soft lunar landing.
3. The moon's atmosphere provides minimal resistance, making parachutes an effective landing mechanism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Answer: option 2
Solution: Intuitive Machines became the first private company to land on the moon in February 2024, followed by Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1. Before private companies, only five national space agencies had achieved successful soft lunar landings. The moon has no atmosphere, which makes parachutes completely ineffective for landing.

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