Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) NASA Mission: Launch Date, Status & Objectives

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.

In this article, we will discuss about Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) for UPSC CSE Examination which was launched to reach Deep Space (observing gamma-ray bursts - GRBs), offering new insights into its environment, structure, and scientific relevance.

• With its launch on November 20, 2004, Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) began a bold mission to explore new frontiers.  
• The principal objective set forth for this venture is to Detect and rapidly observe GRBs and their afterglows. This focus ensures that the mission will deliver high-impact results relevant to pressing global challenges or fundamental scientific inquiries.  
• The decision to go ahead with this Astrophysics satellite (multi-wavelength GRB observatory) was made only after thorough safety checks and many practice runs.  
• This mission was one of the notable flights for the distinguished Delta II 7320-10C. 
• The launch of the mission happened at Cape Canaveral, LC-17A. 
• The mission lasted for Ongoing. 
• NASA, UK Space Agency, Italian Space Agency (ASI) played a key role in the success of the mission. 
• It ended as Operational. 
• Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) was launched with ~$250 million in funding to improve autonomous systems and deepen space research capabilities. 

NASA outfitted Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) with Burst Alert Telescope (BAT), X-ray Telescope (XRT), UV/Optical Telescope (UVOT) to support its goals in autonomous space exploration.

NASA’s Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) used Autonomous rapid slewing to GRB locations 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 Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) Space Mission offers valuable insights for UPSC Prelims and Mains GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3 and Essay preparation.

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NASA Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) Space Mission Overview 

Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) – Space Mission Profile for UPSC
Target Celestial Body	Deep Space (observing gamma-ray bursts - GRBs)
Launch Date	November 20, 2004
Objective	Detect and rapidly observe GRBs and their afterglows
Mission Type	Astrophysics satellite (multi-wavelength GRB observatory)
Launch Vehicle	Delta II 7320-10C
Launch Site	Cape Canaveral, LC-17A
Mission Duration	Ongoing
Agencies Involved	NASA, UK Space Agency, Italian Space Agency (ASI)
Mission Status	Operational
Estimated Cost	~$250 million
Proposal Date	Late 1990s
New Instruments/Payloads	Burst Alert Telescope (BAT), X-ray Telescope (XRT), UV/Optical Telescope (UVOT)
Key Technologies Used	Autonomous rapid slewing to GRB locations

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

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Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) Space Mission Global Contributions

NASAs collaboration with UK (XRT/UVOT components), Italy (XRT mirror, Malindi ground station) on Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) advanced both technical development and diplomatic ties in space research.

• Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) carried Significant instrument hardware and ground support from UK/Italy designed to enable new research capabilities and reduce reliance on Earth-based operations. 
• General Dynamics/Spectrum Astro (spacecraft) contributed essential systems and platforms that enabled timely delivery and advanced operational readiness for the mission. 
• GRB alerts and data rapidly disseminated to global community helped unify efforts across space agencies and research institutions, advancing shared knowledge and global capabilities. 
• Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) demonstrated a strong policy impact by Revolutionized GRB science by enabling rapid multi-wavelength follow-up, fostering new partnerships and shaping future governance frameworks. 

Global Collaboration & Strategic Impact
International Partners	UK (XRT/UVOT components), Italy (XRT mirror, Malindi ground station)
Payload Contributions	Significant instrument hardware and ground support from UK/Italy
Commercial Involvement	General Dynamics/Spectrum Astro (spacecraft)
Data Sharing Agreements	GRB alerts and data rapidly disseminated to global community
Impact on Global Space Policy	Revolutionized GRB science by enabling rapid multi-wavelength follow-up

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 Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) Space Mission

A major obstacle during the execution of Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) involved Reaction wheel issues (mitigated with new control scheme), but it was effectively addressed through collaborative team efforts and reconfiguration of mission protocols.

• The team behind Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) overcame engineering constraints such as Maintaining long-term operations of complex instruments through iterative system tuning. 
• As part of NASAs commitment to sustainable exploration, Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) resulted in Operational in Earth orbit. 

Operational Risks, Environmental Impact & Challenges
Risk & Mitigation Log	Maintaining long-term operations of complex instruments
Environmental & Sustainability Footprint	Operational in Earth orbit
Challenges Faced	Reaction wheel issues (mitigated with new control scheme)

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Mission Timeline of Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory) NASA Space Mission

• The mission concept was officially proposed on Late 1990s. 
• The NASA space mission successfully completed its landing/flyby on Not applicable, marking a key achievement in space exploration. 
• On November 2006 (End of 2-year prime mission), mission control confirmed that all key milestones were achieved, closing the primary phase of the mission. 

Mission Timeline & Key Milestones
Proposal Date	Late 1990s
Critical Design Review (CDR) Date	N/A
Assembly Complete Date	N/A
Launch Date	November 20, 2004
Landing / Flyby Date	Not applicable
End of Primary Mission Date	November 2006 (End of 2-year prime mission)

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

UPSC Relevance of Swift Mission (Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory)

• NASA’s recent explorations and technological feats are directly relevant to the science and tech portion of the UPSC Prelims exam.
• In GS Paper 3, NASA missions serve as examples to explain concepts such as innovation, sustainability, and the ethical use of advanced technologies.
• UPSC IAS Exam GS Paper 4 may explore ethical implications of using autonomous technologies in space, with NASA missions serving as real-world examples to examine boundaries of human-machine decision-making.
• 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. Which one of the following planets was explored by Cassini Mission launched by NASA, which ended in September 2017?
1. Sun
2. Neptune
3. Saturn
4. Jupiter
Answer: Saturn
Solution: The Cassini-Huygens mission, commonly called Cassini, sent a probe to study the planet Saturn. It was the first to orbit Saturn and even first one to land in the outer solar system. Cassini-Huygens was a collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency.

Q2. In January 2019, NASA's planet-hunting spacecraft Tess discovered a new planet three times the size of Earth, NASA named this planet ______.
1. HD 31794b
2. HD 41479b
3. HD 21749b
4. HD 15149b
Answer: HD 21749b
Solution: In January 2019, NASA's planet-hunting spacecraft TESS discovered a new planet three times the size of Earth, NASA named this planet HD 21749b. As of August 2019, TESS has discovered around 24 exoplanets. The confirmed planet, HD 21749b, is about three times Earth's size and 23 times its mass, orbits every 36 days, and has a surface temperature around 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Q3. With reference to Astrosat, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space.
2. Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth.
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: Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: Astrosat is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory. The unique feature of ASTROSAT mission is that it enables the simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of various astronomical objects with a single satellite. ASTROSAT with a lift-off mass of about 1513 kg was launched into a 650 km orbit by the PSLV-C30. Hence statement 2 is incorrect. Before India, NASA, space agencies of the European Union, Japan, and Russia are the other countries that have launched similar facilities into space. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.

Q4. Consider the following statements:
1. Water is only found on the dark side (shadowy region) of the moon.
2. NASA's 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.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the UAE's Hope Mars Mission:
1. With the successful Mars orbit insertion, the UAE becomes the third entity to reach the Red Planet, joining the European Space Agency and India.
2. Hope mission is the Arab world's second interplanetary mission.
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: Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: Recently, the United Arab Emirates' first-ever interplanetary Hope Probe mission has successfully entered orbit around Mars. With the successful Mars orbit insertion, the UAE becomes the fifth entity to reach the Red Planet, joining NASA, the Soviet Union, the European Space Agency, and India. Hence statement 1 is not correct. The mission is not only important for UAE but also for the whole of the Arab world, as it is the Arab world's first interplanetary mission. Hence statement 2 is not correct.

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding NASA's Artemis Program:
1. With the Artemis program, NASA wishes to demonstrate new technologies, capabilities and business approaches that will ultimately be needed for the future exploration of Mars.
2. It stands for Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun.
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: With the Artemis program, NASA wishes to demonstrate new technologies, capabilities, and business approaches that will ultimately be needed for the future exploration of the Moon. Hence statement 1 is not correct. It stands for Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Q7. Who has created a record for longest single spaceflight in 2019?
1. Nick Hague
2. Anne Mc Clam
3. Jessica Meir
4. Christina Koch
Answer: Christina Koch
Solution: Christina Koch has created a record for the longest single spaceflight in 2019. NASA Astronaut Christina Koch creates a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, surpassing the earlier record of 288 days in space. On her 289th day at the International Space Station, astronaut Christina Koch set the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman.

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the novel technique for tracking solar eruptions.
1. The earlier software used to detect solar eruptions in the outer corona only.
2. New algorithm is developed to detect the solar eruptions in the inner corona.
3. The solar eruption disrupts space weather and causes geomagnetic storms.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Solution: Software named Computer Aided CME Tracking Software (CACTus) based on a computer vision algorithm was so far used to detect and characterise solar eruptions automatically in the outer corona only. Hence statement 1 is correct. The eruptions disrupt space weather and cause geomagnetic storms, satellite failures, and power outages. Hence statement 3 is correct. The researchers/scientists have developed a new algorithm named CMEs Identification in Inner Solar Corona (CIISCO) to detect and track the accelerating solar eruption in the lower corona. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Q9. Which of the following is the name of the NASA programme to land first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024?
1. Orion
2. Apollo
3. Artemis
4. Nike
Answer: Artemis
Solution: Artemis is an ongoing space mission run by NASA with the goal of landing the first female astronaut and next male astronaut on the Moon's South Pole by 2024. It is the US space agency's first crewed Moon mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. NASA is working on the Artemis program that aims to land humans on the moon by 2024.

Q10. Which of the following celestial bodies does NASA plan to explore through its mission Dragonfly?
1. Proxima Centauri
2. Sun
3. Uranus
4. Titan
Answer: Titan
Solution: The largest and most organically rich moon of Saturn, Titan, will be visited by an 8-bladed rotorcraft as part of NASA's most recent solar system exploration project. Dragonfly, scheduled for launch in 2027 and arrival in 2034, will boost our hunt for the elements of life by sampling and inspecting dozens of intriguing sites surrounding Saturn's frozen moon.

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