From the amazing Apollo Moon landings that first put people on the Moon, to using the Hubble Space Telescope to look deep into the universe, NASA has always helped us learn more and go further than ever before. The agency is famous for its missions that study our Earth, other planets, and faraway galaxies. This work gives us vital information to help understand big issues like climate change, how planets are formed, and the mysteries of the stars.

This article focuses about Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) which aims on Skylab Orbital Workshop (Earth orbit), gathering key information to better understand its current role in ongoing research and spaceflight.

• Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) took off on May 25, 1973, beginning a mission that would expand the boundaries of human understanding.  
• The principal objective set forth for this venture is to First crew to Skylab; repair launch damage; conduct experiments. This focus ensures that the mission will deliver high-impact results relevant to pressing global challenges or fundamental scientific inquiries.  
• Everyone involved, including the crew and ground control, was very dedicated because they knew it was a Crewed mission to space station with special goals.  
• Many people traveled from all over, hoping to see the amazing sight of the Saturn IB (SA-206) launching. 
• The launch of the mission happened at Kennedy Space Center, LC-39B, Florida. 
• The mission continued for 28 days, 0 hours, 49 minutes before concluding. 
• NASA was responsible for launching and monitoring the mission. 
• Mission result: Completed (Successful). 
• NASA invested Part of Skylab program cost in Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1), targeting new discoveries through advanced robotics and space instrumentation. 

Featuring Apollo CSM, repair tools, scientific experiments, Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) aims to collect unprecedented data and enable more autonomous mission operations.

NASA’s Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) used Rendezvous, docking, EVA repairs, long-duration systems to push the boundaries of robotic intelligence and spacecraft autonomy. By exploring international partnerships, data-sharing frameworks, and global policy impacts, this article on NASAs Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) Space Mission offers valuable insights for UPSC Prelims and Mains GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3 and Essay preparation.

Get Free Materials for UPSC Preparation by Testbook!

NASA Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) Space Mission Overview 

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

Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) Space Mission Global Contributions

• NASA relied on North American Rockwell (CSM), McDonnell Douglas (Skylab) to supply major components for the spacecraft and launch systems, enhancing mission efficiency. 
• Scientific data shared helped unify efforts across space agencies and research institutions, advancing shared knowledge and global capabilities. 
• Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) had a transformative effect on global space policy by Demonstrated complex in-space repair capabilities, shaping future agreements and operational standards for space activities worldwide. 

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 Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) Space Mission

Despite initial complications stemming from Repairing damaged Skylab (micrometeoroid shield, solar array), the mission team behind Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) acted quickly to mitigate the risks, preserving scientific integrity and mission functionality throughout the duration of operations.

• The team behind Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) overcame engineering constraints such as Critical repairs to save Skylab station; successful EVAs through iterative system tuning. 

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

Mission Timeline of Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1) NASA Space Mission

• The first steps toward mission development began with its proposal on Skylab program formal approval 1970. 
• The mission team achieved a critical milestone on Not applicable (CSM), with the spacecrafts final assembly phase completed. 
• After months of preparation and travel, the spacecraft completed its planned landing/flyby on May 25, 1973 (Docking with Skylab), fulfilling core mission objectives. 
• On June 22, 1973 (Splashdown Pacific Ocean), all core mission tasks were completed, marking the official end of the spacecraft’s planned journey. 

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

UPSC Relevance of Skylab 2 (SL-2 / SLM-1)

• The Prelims syllabus integrates recent breakthroughs from NASA missions, emphasizing their impact on global scientific progress.
• NASA’s exploration efforts, such as Mars and Psyche missions, can be cited in GS Paper 3 answers dealing with frontier technologies and research.
• 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.
• In the UPSC CSE Optional Papers, topics from NASA Space Missions are highly relevant across disciplines, offering insights into global cooperation, technological ethics, and environmental impacts—useful for Geography, PSIR, and Philosophy optionals alike.

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. Hayabusa-2 space mission belongs to which space agency?
1. JAXA
2. NASA
3. C. N. S. A
4. ISRO
Answer: JAXA
Solution: The Hayabusa-2 space mission belongs to JAXA space agency. In December 2014, JAXA launched Hayabusa-2 to collect samples from Ryugu. Hayabusa-2 is a Japanese spacecraft that studied the asteroid Ryugu, took samples, and returned them to Earth for analysis.

Q2. Consider the following statements:
1. ESA announced the results of its Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART mission on 11 October 2022.
2. Terming the test successful, the agency said, the DART spacecraft succeeded in changing the asteroids motion in Space.
3. DART is a spacecraft designed to impact an asteroid as a test of the technology.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
1. Only 1
2. Both 1 and 3
3. Both 2 and 3
4. All 1, 2 and 3
Answer: Both 2 and 3
Solution: NASA announced the results of its Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART mission on 11 October 2022. Terming the test successful, the agency said, the DART spacecraft succeeded in changing the asteroids motion in Space. DART is a spacecraft designed to impact an asteroid as a test of the technology. This is the first time humanity has altered the motion of a celestial body.

Q3. With reference to Astrosat, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. AstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously.
2. It is a multi-institute collaborative project, involving NASA, ISRO, JAXA and European Space Agency.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: 1 only
Solution: AstroSat was launched on 28 September 2015 by ISRO into a near-Earth equatorial orbit. AstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously. The payloads cover the energy bands of Ultraviolet, limited optical and X-ray regime. One of the unique features of the AstroSat mission is that it enables the simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of various astronomical objects with a single satellite. The spacecraft control centre at Mission Operations Complex of ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network manages the satellite during its entire mission life.

Q4. Which of the following made an out-of-this-world discovery: a giant red planet outside the solar system?
1. Spitzer Space Telescope
2. Kepler Space Telescope
3. Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer
4. James Webb Space Telescope
Answer: James Webb Space Telescope
Solution: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope made another out-of-this-world discovery: a giant red planet outside the solar system. The study is published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. The planet is considered to be a young planet at only 150 million years old and that's why the sky appeared turbulent. It also discovered clear detections of water, methane, and carbon monoxide.

Q5. Which country's space agency has launched project DART Mission?
1. USA
2. Russia
3. India
4. China
Answer: USA
Solution: NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test DART is the world's first full-scale mission to test technology for defending Earth against potential asteroid or comet hazards. Launched from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, DART is a joint project between NASA and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

Q6. The Subsurface Water Ice Mapping SWIM project is a significant initiative carried out by NASA. Which of the following statements correctly describes this project?
1. SWIM is a project aimed at mapping water vapor in the atmosphere of Venus, designed to study the greenhouse effect and its implications for global warming.
2. SWIM is an operation focused on finding and mapping subsurface water ice on Mars, which would be essential in planning future manned missions to the Red Planet.
3. SWIM is an initiative to map potential subsurface water ice reservoirs on Jupiter's moon Europa, as part of the search for possible extraterrestrial life.
4. SWIM is a study intended to locate and map potential subsurface lakes of liquid methane on Saturn's moon Titan, to understand its peculiar climate and geology.
Answer: option 2
Solution: The Subsurface Water Ice Mapping SWIM project is an initiative launched by NASA of the United States. The project's fundamental objective is to locate and map subsurface water ice on Mars. It aims to support future human exploration missions to Mars. Knowing the location of sufficient water resources could aid in providing necessary supplies for maintaining life, deriving oxygen, and even producing fuel for spacecraft.

Q7. Consider the following statements about the XPoSat satellite:
1. The XPoSat was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO via the PSLV-C58 mission.
2. This mission makes India the first country to launch an X-ray polarimeter satellite.
3. XPoSat carries two payloads, named POLIX and XSPECT, for research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: option 2
Solution: XPoSat was launched by ISRO via the PSLV-C58 mission. This mission does not make India the first country to launch an X-ray polarimeter satellite. XPoSat carries two payloads, POLIX and XSPECT, for research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources.

Q8. What is the name of the SpaceX mission that aims to test new space technologies and involve a spacewalk by non-government astronauts?
1. Polaris Dawn
2. Inspiration4
3. Starship Alpha
4. Artemis 4
Answer: Polaris Dawn
Solution: SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, launching August 26, 2024, will send a private crew, including Jared Isaacman, to altitudes of 870 miles, entering Earth's radiation belts. The mission will involve a unique pre-breathe process to prepare the crew for the spacewalk.

Q9. What is the name of the SpaceX mission that launched a private astronaut crew to orbit Earth from pole to pole?
1. Crew Dragon
2. Falcon 9
3. Fram2
4. DragonX
Answer: Fram2
Solution: SpaceX launched a private astronaut crew on the Fram2 mission, a unique polar-orbiting mission. The mission marked a novel trajectory, where the astronauts orbited Earth from pole to pole, a path previously untraveled by humans. During the mission, the astronauts participated in 22 research experiments focused on the effects of spaceflight on the human body.

Q10. The term Fram2, recently seen in the news, refers to:
1. A private polar-orbiting space mission aimed at flying over both the North and South Poles
2. A quantum computing platform launched by NASA for climate modeling
3. A deep-sea expedition to explore the Mariana Trench
4. An AI-based weather prediction system launched by WMO
Answer: Option 1
Solution: Fram2 is a private polar-orbiting space mission that aims to orbit Earth from pole to pole, a trajectory never previously attempted in commercial spaceflight. The mission is named after the legendary Fram ship, which was used in early Arctic and Antarctic explorations. Data gathered by the mission will support research in glaciology, polar weather patterns, and climate change monitoring.

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