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Deep Space 1 (DS1) Mission: Objectives, Launch Date, Status, UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Jun 17, 2025
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NASAs job isnt just about making scientific discoveries. It also includes developing new technologies, figuring out how to communicate across vast distances in space, and keeping an eye on our own planet. The money NASA puts into things like space robots, systems that can think for themselves, and long-distance space communication has led to important tools for everyday people and for national defense, showing just how valuable NASA is.

In this article, we will go deeper about the Deep Space 1 (DS1) mission for UPSC CSE Examination which was launched to reach Asteroid 9969 Braille, Comet 19P/Borrelly, enhancing our understanding of its dynamics, importance in space science, and long-term mission utility.

  • Deep Space 1 (DS1) took off on October 24, 1998, beginning a mission that would expand the boundaries of human understanding.  
  • Engineers and scientists have collaborated extensively to meet the missions key objective, which is to Test 12 advanced, high-risk technologies for future missions, requiring innovative technological solutions.  
  • This particular mission was planned as a Technology demonstration with asteroid/comet flybys (New Millennium Program), marking an important step in our ongoing journey to explore space.  
  • People in the control room carefully watched the Delta II 7326s performance as it flew upwards. 
  • Cape Canaveral, LC-17A was the location where the mission was launched. 
  • It remained active for Over 3 years. 
  • The mission was organized and implemented by NASA. 
  • Overall, the mission was Completed (Successful), meeting most of its objectives. 
  • Funded by $152 million (including operations), NASA’s Deep Space 1 (DS1) focused on space technology development and interplanetary research breakthroughs. 

With Ion propulsion, AutoNav, MICAS (camera/spectrometer), PEPE (plasma), Deep Space 1 (DS1) demonstrates the next generation of smart payloads for exploratory missions.

NASA’s Deep Space 1 (DS1) used Solar electric ion propulsion, autonomous navigation, miniature instruments 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 Deep Space 1 (DS1) Space Mission offers valuable insights for UPSC Prelims and Mains GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3 and Essay preparation.

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NASA Deep Space 1 (DS1) Space Mission Overview 

Deep Space 1 (DS1) – Space Mission Profile for UPSC

Target Celestial Body

Asteroid 9969 Braille, Comet 19P/Borrelly

Launch Date

October 24, 1998

Objective

Test 12 advanced, high-risk technologies for future missions

Mission Type

Technology demonstration with asteroid/comet flybys (New Millennium Program)

Launch Vehicle

Delta II 7326

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral, LC-17A

Mission Duration

Over 3 years

Agencies Involved

NASA

Mission Status

Completed (Successful)

Estimated Cost

$152 million (including operations)

Proposal Date

Mid-1990s

New Instruments/Payloads

Ion propulsion, AutoNav, MICAS (camera/spectrometer), PEPE (plasma)

Key Technologies Used

Solar electric ion propulsion, autonomous navigation, miniature instruments

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

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Deep Space 1 (DS1) Space Mission Global Contributions

  • JPL managed; Spectrum Astro (bus) contributed essential systems and platforms that enabled timely delivery and advanced operational readiness for the mission. 
  • Data archived in PDS allowed multiple stakeholders to access and utilize mission outputs for extended scientific and technical purposes. 
  • Deep Space 1 (DS1) demonstrated a strong policy impact by Proved viability of ion propulsion for deep space missions, fostering new partnerships and shaping future governance frameworks. 

Global Collaboration & Strategic Impact

International Partners

N/A

Payload Contributions

N/A

Commercial Involvement

JPL managed; Spectrum Astro (bus)

Data Sharing Agreements

Data archived in PDS

Impact on Global Space Policy

Proved viability of ion propulsion for deep space missions
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 Deep Space 1 (DS1) Space Mission

During various mission phases, Deep Space 1 (DS1) had to manage risks like Star tracker failure required innovative navigation workarounds, which were resolved through creative engineering solutions and the application of redundant safety mechanisms.

  • Star tracker failure; ion engine initial shutdown was one of the significant issues faced during Deep Space 1 (DS1), requiring coordinated mitigation efforts. 
  • In solar orbit highlights the outcome of Deep Space 1 (DS1) in terms of environmental responsibility and space traffic safety. 

Operational Risks, Environmental Impact & Challenges

Risk & Mitigation Log

Star tracker failure; ion engine initial shutdown

Environmental & Sustainability Footprint

In solar orbit

Challenges Faced

Star tracker failure required innovative navigation workarounds

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Mission Timeline of Deep Space 1 (DS1) NASA Space Mission
  • The proposal for this mission was recorded on Mid-1990s. 
  • The spacecraft achieved its landing/flyby on July 29, 1999 (Braille); September 22, 2001 (Borrelly), enabling high-resolution imaging and data collection from the target zone. 
  • After months of successful operation, the mission team officially marked September 18, 1999 (Primary tech demo end); Dec 18, 2001 (Deactivated) as the conclusion of the primary mission. 

Mission Timeline & Key Milestones

Proposal Date

Mid-1990s

Critical Design Review (CDR) Date

N/A

Assembly Complete Date

N/A

Launch Date

October 24, 1998

Landing / Flyby Date

July 29, 1999 (Braille); September 22, 2001 (Borrelly)

End of Primary Mission Date

September 18, 1999 (Primary tech demo end); Dec 18, 2001 (Deactivated)

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

UPSC Relevance of Deep Space 1 (DS1)
  • 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.
  • 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
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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 is/are correctly Matched?
1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 2, 3 and 4 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: 2, 3 and 4 only
Solution: India and Japan are working together on a joint lunar polar exploration mission that aims to send a lander and rover to the Moon's South Pole around 2024. The Chinese National Space Agency arrived at Mars with lessons learned from a successful string of Chang'e missions to the Moon. Tianwen-1, the first mission to Mars from China, successfully underwent orbital insertion on February 10. Tianwen-1 carries an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. NASA has launched its Mars 2020 Perseverance rover aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Hope Probe, the Arab world's first mission to Mars, aims to understand the climate dynamics on the planet and characterize the lower atmosphere of Mars.

Q2. Aerospace company SPACE X sent 4 citizens into space on the first private flight on 15 September 2021, What was the name of the mission which was given?
1. New Horizons-2021
2. Inspiration-4
3. PSLV-C46
4. PSLV-C45 / EMISAT
Answer: Inspiration-4
Solution: From Florida's Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX launched its Inspiration-4 mission with a crew made up entirely of civilians. Jared Isaacman, a 38-year-old entrepreneur, led the company's first private voyage to orbit and funded the entire journey. Commander Jared Isaacman, pilot Sian Proctor, medical officer Hayley Arceneaux, and mission specialist Chris Sembroski made up the four-person crew. Resilience and its four members completed a three-day orbit of the planet before splashing down on September 18 off the coast of Florida.

Q3. Consider the following statements with respect to Deep Space Optical Communications mission of NASA:
1. The information was beamed to earth in near Infrared radiation.
2. It is the farthest-ever demonstration of optical communications.
3. The mission was experimented on Psyche spacecraft which is situated near Saturn.
How many of the above statements are correct?
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None
Answer: Only two
Solution: Statement 1 is correct as the information was beamed to Earth in near-infrared radiation. Statement 2 is also correct as it is the farthest-ever demonstration of optical communications. Statement 3 is incorrect as the Psyche spacecraft is not situated near Saturn.

Q4. On which rocket was the X-37B robot spaceplane launched for its seventh mission?
1. Saturn V
2. Atlas V
3. Falcon 9
4. Falcon Heavy
Answer: Falcon Heavy
Solution: The US military's secretive X-37B robotic spaceplane launched atop SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time. This marks the seventh mission of the X-37B and the first time it has journeyed to orbit aboard the Falcon Heavy.

Q5. Who among the following is credited with designing the world's smallest satellite?
1. G. Madhavan Nair
2. B.N. Suresh
3. Rifath Sharook
4. A.S. Kiran Kumar
Answer: Rifath Sharook
Solution: Rifath Sharook, an 18-year-old student from Tamil Nadu, has developed the world's smallest and lightest satellite. He broke the global space record by launching the lightest satellite in the world, weighing a mere 64 grams. The satellite is made using reinforced carbon fiber polymer, is named Kalam Sat, after former President APJ Abdul Kalam.

Q6. Who launched the Europa Clipper mission?
1. European Space Agency (ESA)
2. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
3. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
4. Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos)
Answer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Solution: NASA has launched the Europa Clipper, the largest spacecraft it has ever built for a planetary mission. The mission aims to examine whether Jupiter's moon Europa has conditions suitable to support life.

Q7. Where did ISRO launch India's first analog space mission to simulate interplanetary habitat conditions?
1. Bengaluru, Karnataka
2. Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
3. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
4. Leh, Ladakh
Answer: Leh, Ladakh
Solution: ISRO launched India's first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh, in collaboration with the Human Spaceflight Centre, AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Delhi, and supported by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. The mission aims to simulate conditions similar to those on Mars and the Moon.

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Axiom Mission 4:
1. Axiom Mission 4 is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS), organized in collaboration with NASA.
2. The flight will use a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and will last for 14 days.
3. Two Indian astronauts have been chosen for the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Solution: Axiom Mission 4 is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station organized in collaboration with NASA. The flight will use a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and will last for 14 days. Two Indian astronauts chosen for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the ISS have completed the initial phase of training.

Q9. What is the primary goal of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission?
1. Climate action
2. Defense satellites
3. Space tourism
4. Trade monitoring
Answer: Climate action
Solution: NISAR is a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The primary goal of NISAR is to monitor and measure changes in the Earth's surface, including ice sheets, forests, and agricultural lands, in order to understand climate change impacts.

Q10. What is the name of NASA's new space telescope set to launch in February 2025, which aims to survey the entire sky in 102 infrared colors?
1. SPHEREx
2. James Webb Space Telescope 2.0
3. Hubble Space Telescope 2.0
4. Chandra-CRISP X-ray Observatory
Answer: SPHEREx
Solution: NASA's SPHEREx mission, scheduled for launch in February 2025, aims to map the entire sky in 102 infrared colors. SPHEREx stands for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer.

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

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