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.

In this article, we will discuss about STS-7 Challenger for UPSC CSE Examination which was launched to reach Earth (orbital flight), offering new insights into its environment, structure, and scientific relevance.

• On June 18, 1983, the launch of STS-7 Challenger marked the commencement of a mission with far-reaching scientific goals.  
• The missions objective is ambitious yet crucial: to Deploy communications satellites; first American woman in space. This will provide new perspectives and could reshape current theories.  
• This particular mission was planned as a Crewed satellite deployment and scientific flight, marking an important step in our ongoing journey to explore space.  
• The huge size and complicated nature of the Space Shuttle (Challenger OV-099) amazed everyone who got a close look at it. 
• The launch of the mission happened at Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A, Florida. 
• The mission was carried out over a period of 6 days, 2 hours, 23 minutes, 59 seconds. 
• NASA played a key role in the success of the mission. 
• It ended as Completed (Successful). 
• The cost of $500 million was dedicated to NASA’s STS-7 Challenger, enhancing data collection and mission autonomy. 

STS-7 Challenger is equipped with ANIK C-2, PALAPA B-1 satellites, SPAS-01, OSTA-2 to support scientific innovation and real-time decision-making in space.

NASA equipped STS-7 Challenger with Satellite deployment using PAM-D, SPAS free-flyer to enhance system resilience and operational autonomy. This comprehensive article on NASA STS-7 Challenger 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.

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NASA STS-7 Challenger Space Mission Overview 

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

STS-7 Challenger Space Mission Global Contributions

The STS-7 Challenger mission saw significant collaboration with Canada (ANIK C-2), Indonesia (PALAPA B-1), Germany (SPAS-01) to enhance its scientific reach and technical innovation.

• STS-7 Challenger carried Satellites and SPAS from international/commercial entities designed to enable new research capabilities and reduce reliance on Earth-based operations. 
• With support from Telesat Canada, Perumtel Indonesia, MBB (SPAS), the mission benefitted from streamlined production, modern engineering, and rapid integration. 
• NASA established Data from scientific payloads shared to promote data accessibility and foster innovation across academic, government, and industry sectors. 
• The global significance of STS-7 Challenger was reflected in its role as Demonstrated commercial satellite deployment; Sally Ride's flight, influencing the way nations coordinate and plan space missions. 

Challenges & Risk in STS-7 Challenger Space Mission

STS-7 Challenger overcame mission-threatening issues such as First flight of SPAS, first American woman's flight by deploying alternative systems, refining software behavior, and executing contingency strategies developed during pre-launch testing.

• Despite hurdles such as Successful satellite deployments and SPAS operations, STS-7 Challenger proceeded as planned with only minor adjustments. 

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Mission Timeline of STS-7 Challenger NASA Space Mission

• After months of preparation and travel, the spacecraft completed its planned landing/flyby on June 24, 1983 (Landing at Edwards AFB), fulfilling core mission objectives. 
• The spacecraft continued to perform beyond expectations even after the primary mission officially ended on June 24, 1983. 

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UPSC Relevance of STS-7 Challenger

• NASA’s recent explorations and technological feats are directly relevant to the science and tech portion of the UPSC Prelims exam.
• Historical milestones in space exploration, like the Apollo program or Artemis missions, can enrich answers in GS Paper 1 under world history or post-independence global developments.
• In GS Paper 4 of the UPSC IAS Exam, scenarios involving how NASA managed catastrophic mission failures like the Challenger disaster can help examine institutional learning, accountability, and ethical crisis response.
• 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. Who among the following are among the 4 astronauts who will venture around the Moon on Artemis II as announced by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency on 4 April 2023?
1. Jeremy Hansen
2. Victor Glover
3. Christina Koch
4. Reid Wiseman
1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 1, 3 and 4
3. 2, 3 and 4
4. All 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: All 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution: The correct answer is All 1, 2, 3 and 4. The astronauts are Jeremy Hansen, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Reid Wiseman of NASA. The mission is scheduled to launch in November 2024 and will be the first crewed moon trip in fifty years. This will be the first crewed moon trip in fifty years. Reid Wiseman of NASA was first selected as an astronaut for the space organization in 2009. He will serve as commander of the Artemis II mission. Hansen was selected by the Canadian Space Agency for astronaut training in 2009. Notably, he will be the first Canadian ever to travel to deep space. Glover made his first trip into space in 2021, flying SpaceX’s Crew Dragon on its second crewed mission and spending nearly six months at the International Space Station. The fourth crew member is Koch. Six spacewalks have been completed by Koch including the first all-female spacewalk in 2019. With 328 days in space, she holds the record for the longest solo spaceflight by a woman.

Q2. The PSLV C34 rocket was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota to put 22 satellites into orbit. This has happened for the first time in the history of _______.
1. NASA
2. Roscosmos
3. ISRO
4. CSA
Answer: ISRO
Solution: The correct answer is ISRO.

Q3. Consider the following about Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft:
1. It is a joint mission of ESA European Space Agency and NASA.
2. It was launched in December 1995 to study the Sun and the dynamics in its outer atmosphere, called the corona.
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: option 3
Solution: The correct answer is option 3. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is a collaborative project between the European Space Agency and NASA. Since its launch in December 1995, SOHO's mission has been to conduct detailed observations of the Sun. To achieve uninterrupted observations, SOHO was placed in orbit around the first Lagrangian point L1, located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth in the direction of the Sun. This unique position allows SOHO to maintain a stable stance relative to both Earth and the Sun, due to the balanced gravitational forces at L1. Equipped with 12 scientific instruments, SOHO has been instrumental in studying various aspects of the solar atmosphere, conducting helioseismology research, and examining the solar wind. The data gathered from SOHO has enriched our knowledge about the Sun's internal mechanisms, its chromosphere, the corona, and the behavior of solar particles. Originally intended to operate until 1998, SOHO has far exceeded its expected mission duration, continuing to provide valuable data that enhances our understanding of the Sun. Notably, it has also contributed to the discovery of thousands of comets, establishing itself as the most enduring satellite dedicated to solar observation to date.

Q4. 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 correct answer is It orbits the Sun, about 15 lakh km away from the Earth. The James Webb Space Telescope JWST is a significant advance in space observatories, designed to provide a much deeper understanding of the universe. It is positioned at the Second Lagrange Point L2, which is nearly 1.5 million kilometers away from the Earth, in the direction opposite to the Sun. This location allows the JWST to stay in line with the Earth as it orbits the Sun, providing a stable environment for observations. The telescope is equipped with a large mirror and infrared capabilities, enabling it to observe the universe with unprecedented clarity and depth. The JWST's mission includes exploring the universe's earliest galaxies, studying the formation of stars and planets, and investigating potential atmospheres of exoplanets for signs of life. It does not orbit around the Earth or the Moon, nor is it stationary in space. Its orbit around the L2 point allows it to maintain a constant distance from Earth and avoid the shadow, maximizing its observational efficiency.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding CubeSats:
1. CubeSats are a type of miniaturized satellite designed for space research that follow a standardized unit size of 10 cm³.
2. CubeSats are limited to Earth observation and cannot be used for deep space missions.
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: 1 only
Solution: The correct answer is 1 only. CubeSats are indeed miniaturized satellites that typically follow a standardized unit size of 10 cm³, often referred to in units such as 1U, 2U, 3U, etc. CubeSats are not limited to Earth observation; they have been used in deep space missions as well. For instance, the MarCO CubeSats Mars Cube One were used in a mission to Mars, demonstrating their capability for deep space exploration. CubeSats are frequently deployed from the International Space Station using specialized deployers like the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer.

Q6. Which company conducted the fourth test mission of the Starship rocket that survived reentry and achieved a demo landing?
1. Blue Origin
2. SpaceX
3. NASA
4. Boeing
Answer: SpaceX
Solution: The correct answer is SpaceX. SpaceX's Starship rocket successfully survived reentry through Earth's atmosphere and splashed down in the Indian Ocean during its fourth test mission after launching from south Texas. The two-stage spacecraft consists of the Starship cruise vessel mounted atop its Super Heavy rocket booster. The rocket system's first stage, called Super Heavy, detached three minutes into the flight, allowing the Starship upper stage to continue toward space. The rocket's previous attempts saw it breaking apart during reentry in March and exploding minutes after liftoff in April 2023. In its most recent flight before this successful one, the Starship broke apart in Earth's atmosphere. The test mission, part of SpaceX's test-to-failure rocket development campaign, aims to improve the Starship's reentry and landing capabilities. Despite losing many tiles and a damaged flap, the Starship managed a soft landing in the ocean. The rocket is designed to be cheaper and more powerful than SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and stands nearly 400 feet tall, representing the future of the company's satellite launch and astronaut business. The Starship is expected to be used by NASA to land astronauts on the moon, with a target mission date set for 2026. This development is part of a competitive race with China, which aims to send astronauts to the moon by 2030. Each Starship rocket has made it farther in its testing objectives than previous tests before failing, either by blowing up or disintegrating in the atmosphere.

Q7. The fault that occurred in which spacecraft has led to the delayed comeback of Sunita Williams to earth from space?
1. SpaceX Dragon
2. Soyuz 1A
3. Boeing Starliner
4. NASA Orion
Answer: Boeing Starliner
Solution: The correct answer is Boeing Starliner. The Boeing Starliner spacecraft experienced issues that led to the decision to delay the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. NASA identified helium leaks and problems with the spacecraft's reaction control thrusters on June 6, which were critical in the decision-making process. The decision was made to ensure safety, resulting in Wilmore and Williams staying in space until February 2025. Starliner will return uncrewed, allowing NASA and Boeing to gather additional testing data without risking the astronauts' safety.

Q8. What are the names of the SpaceX mission and the crew module involved in the first-ever private spacewalk?
1. Inspiration5 and Starliner
2. Polaris Dawn and Crew Dragon
3. Artemis I and Dragonfly
4. Axiom Mission and Falcon 9
Answer: Polaris Dawn and Crew Dragon
Solution: The correct answer is Polaris Dawn and Crew Dragon. Polaris Dawn is the SpaceX mission that carried out the first private spacewalk in orbit. The crew module used in this mission is called Crew Dragon, SpaceX's capsule for ferrying astronauts to space and back. This mission was aimed at pushing the boundaries of commercial spaceflight by testing spacesuit designs and Crew Dragon's depressurization procedures. The crew included Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, both of whom conducted the spacewalk while tethered to the Crew Dragon module.

Q9. What is the name of the astronaut who was selected for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station in August 2024?
1. Sharmila Bhattacharya
2. Ashwin Vasavada
3. Kamlesh Lulla
4. Shubhanshu Shukla
Answer: Shubhanshu Shukla
Solution: The correct answer is Shubhanshu Shukla. Shubhanshu Shukla has been selected for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station in August 2024. The Axiom-4 mission is part of a series of missions organized by Axiom Space to facilitate private and commercial spaceflight. Shubhanshu Shukla will be among the few astronauts representing India in international space missions, marking a significant achievement for the country. The mission aims to conduct various scientific experiments and technology demonstrations on the ISS.

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: The correct answer is option 2. Intuitive Machines became the first private company to land on the moon in February 2024, followed by Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1. Since private lunar landings have occurred, the claim that no private company has done so is incorrect. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect. Before private companies, only five national space agencies had achieved successful soft lunar landings: the Soviet Union, the United States, China, India, and Japan. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. The moon has no atmosphere, which makes parachutes completely ineffective for landing. Instead, spacecraft must rely on precisely controlled thrusters to slow down and land safely. The given statement incorrectly implies that parachutes can be used. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.

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