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Space Shuttle Challenger Trivia Quiz

Questions relating to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

A multiple-choice quiz by Birdman33. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Birdman33

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
70,962

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1938

Last 3 plays: Guest 98 (4/10), Guest 32 (5/10), Guest 94 (4/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. On what date did the Challenger disaster take place? Hint

January 24, 1986

January 30, 1986

January 26, 1986

January 28, 1986

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was the profession of Christa McAuliffe, one of two non-Federal government employees on the shuttle? Hint

Policewoman

Lawyer

Teacher

Nurse

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Question 3 of 10

3. Christa McAuliffe was one out of approximately how many applicants for the position? Hint

7,000

11,000

13,000

17,000

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Question 4 of 10

4. How many times had NASA successfully launched a space shuttle before the Challenger disaster? Hint

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Who was the pilot of Challenger that day? Hint

Francis Scobee

Ronald McNair

Judith Resnick

Michael Smith

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Question 6 of 10

6. How many seconds after take-off did the shuttle explode? Hint

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Question 7 of 10

7. How many Solid Rocket Boosters did the Challenger have? Hint

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Question 8 of 10

8. What equipment was determined to have failed on the Challenger and was a major reason for the accident? Hint

the external tank

the electrical system

the hydraulic system

a rubber O-ring

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Question 9 of 10

9. What shuttle was the first to be launched after the Challenger disaster, on September 29, 1988, nearly three years later? Hint

Atlantis

Columbia

Endeavour

Discovery

10. Finish this quote from Ronald Reagan: 'We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them...as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch ___ ___ ___ ___ '?

Answer: (Four Words)

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Most Recent Scores

Mar 28 2024 : Guest 98: 4/10
Mar 28 2024 : Guest 32: 5/10
Mar 12 2024 : Guest 94: 4/10
Mar 10 2024 : Guest 188: 4/10
Mar 04 2024 : Guest 152: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. On what date did the Challenger disaster take place?

Answer: January 28, 1986

This particular mission was actually supposed to take place in July of 1985 but due to logistical problems was delayed for about 6 months.

2. What was the profession of Christa McAuliffe, one of two non-Federal government employees on the shuttle?

Answer: Teacher

She was a teacher at Concord High School in Concord, New Hampshire. Gregory Jarvis, who was on the shuttle representing his company Hughes Aircraft, was the other civilian on the flight.

3. Christa McAuliffe was one out of approximately how many applicants for the position?

Answer: 11,000

All applicants were from the education sector. Christa was chosen in the summer of 1984 and spent the next year training for the mission.

4. How many times had NASA successfully launched a space shuttle before the Challenger disaster?

Answer: 24

This was the 25th launch of a space shuttle, and was designated Mission 51-L.

5. Who was the pilot of Challenger that day?

Answer: Michael Smith

Scobee was the Commander of the shuttle; Resnick and McNair were mission specialists.

6. How many seconds after take-off did the shuttle explode?

Answer: 73

Photographic evidence indicate that just over half a second after ignition, a problem could be seen as puffs of black smoke shot out of a joint in the right solid fuel rocket booster.

7. How many Solid Rocket Boosters did the Challenger have?

Answer: 2

These are the rockets that help a Shuttle overcome earth's gravity and propel it skyward. They are designed to break away from the shuttle when the fuel is expended.

8. What equipment was determined to have failed on the Challenger and was a major reason for the accident?

Answer: a rubber O-ring

The O-rings were responsible for sealing the joints in the Solid Rocket Boosters, which were each made of 4 main segments. One of the O-rings in the right Rocket Booster failed. This allowed hot gases to leak out which eventually burned through the External Tank, igniting the hydrogen and oxygen contained inside.

9. What shuttle was the first to be launched after the Challenger disaster, on September 29, 1988, nearly three years later?

Answer: Discovery

The Discovery was launched from the same pad that the Challenger took off from, Pad 39-B, which was originally designed to support the Apollo program.

Answer: the face of God

This was the end of Reagan's speech made from the Oval Office a few hours after the accident.

Source: Author Birdman33

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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