The Space Between Trivia Quiz

Answer: So they can scratch their noses

Velcro has many amazing uses, including that of being used on space trips to hold various objects to the walls of rockets to prevent their floating away. The nose scratching task is the most amusing, but why not? An itchy nose inside a space helmet is impossible to reach without removing that helmet. Velcro was invented by a Swiss engineer way back in 1948.

Answer: The Olympic Flame

This was a Russian achievement to mark the advent of the 2014 Winter Olympics held at Sochi in that country from the 7-23 February. Obviously the torch wasn't lit during its space voyage, but it was accompanied by astronauts from several countries to mark the international spirit of co-operation between nations.

This is the second time an Olympic torch has made the journey into space. The first was prior to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. This time, however, the torch went on a space walk outside the space faring vehicle.

It blasted off on its journey to the stars on 7th November, 2013.

Answer: Boy scouts

Boy scouts, along with astronauts, are taught to be responsible, follow through on tasks, display initiative, and pay strict attention to details. Indeed, of the 312 scientists and pilots selected since 1959 to take part in some way in the space program, 207 of these were involved in some level of the scouts as they were growing up. Twenty-seven of these were women who had been girl scouts in their youth. Of the 24 men who travelled to the moon, 20 of these were members of the scouts as boys, and 11 of the 12 men who actually set foot on the moon were also members of this very worthy boyhood organisation.

Answer: Yes

The zero gravity of space doesn't allow tears to fall down. They amass instead in a blob in the eyes of the astronauts and sting their eyes. If they manage to somehow get those tears out of their eyes (Velcro wouldn't work there!) the tears still don't fall down, but float up into their hair instead.

Answer: President Nixon

Richard Milhous Nixon was President of the United States from 1969 until 1974. His Presidency heralded the first landing on the moon by mankind. Just in case the astronauts didn't make it back to earth, however, the Presidents had a moving speech written in advance to announce to the world - after the widows had been informed of course by a personal phone call from the President. I'd like to reproduce that speech in full if I may:

"Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace (hopefully he would have left that part out). These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.

"These two men are laying down their lives in mankind's most noble goal: the search for truth and understanding. They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by their nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dares to send two of her sons into the unknown. In their exploration they stirred the people of the world to feel as one (possibly with the exception of the USSR at that time in the history of the Cold War); in their sacrifice they bind more tightly the brotherhood of man.

"(This is the good part) In ancient days men looked at the stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times we do the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood. Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man's search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts. For every human being who looked up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind".

Answer: Food

How amazing is that? This printer, which is in its initial stages, has already reproduced chocolate, but now NASA hopes it will be able to be developed further to reproduce the favourite foods of astronauts, such as hamburgers, French fries and so on to accompany them on the forecast long trips to Mars and beyond. Obviously it won't be pulling these out of thin air, as the ingredients for same will be stored elsewhere on the space craft, but the printer will be combining them all to come up with the required menu. So astonishing.

Perhaps they should call it another name, rather than a printer, though. That rather tends to give the impression of food that tastes like ink. Something like, oh let me think now (Captain Janeway, where are you?) a "food replicator" would be better. Being a Trekkie fan from way back, I think this is one of the most amazing space developments yet.

Answer: His application to NASA was late

That would be awe-inspiring except that the reason he actually did make it after all was very human based. When Neil Armstrong (1930-2012) was completing his Bachelor's degree in astronautical engineering, he learned in 1962 that NASA was recruiting for another wave of astronauts for their Apollo projects.

He hastily sent off his application post-haste BUT it arrived at NASA a week too late. So then how come he made it to the moon at all? It's all about friends in high places. Armstrong had a friend working at the Manned Spacecraft Centre at NASA, and that friend, when he learned of the late application, placed Armstrong's application into the list of likely candidates. You can't alter destiny it seems - or can you?

Answer: Moon

What a delightful piece of information. Perfect for Fun Trivia. Born in New Jersey in 1930, Buzz Aldrin had an illustrious record, as impressive as Neil Armstrong's career, in the lead up to that great event 1969. Perhaps even more so academically. He had his Doctorate in science, with his thesis written on Manned Orbital Rendezvous.

The other two men on the historic journey had impressive skills in other areas as well, but Aldrin was the only one of the three with that particular qualification. Some of the techniques he developed during the long lead up to the moon landing are still being used by NASA today. And to think his mother's name was Moon. That's the most impressive qualification of all.

Answer: Not since Adam has any human known such solitude

Collins (born 1930) further descibed his feelings as immense loneliness, but mingled in with sensations of "awareness, anticipation, satisfaction, confidence, almost exultation". Immensely - immensely - qualified for the job of piloting that historic vehicle, Collins also revealed in an interview many years later that he was very worried for the safety of Armstrong and Aldrin while they were on the surface of the moon. Obviously out of concern for his fellow travellers, but also because he knew that, if they didn't make it back to the ship, he would have to return to earth all alone, and from that time on, he would be a "marked man for life".

Answer: Nichelle Nichols (who played Uhura)

Star Trek, the original series was filmed between 1966 and 1969. Some eighty episodes were made in all, and the show is now considered a cult classic. It spanned several follow up series and any number of novels, films, games and toys. How I wish they'd make another one.

When Nichelle Nichols finished her initial stint in the television series, she volunteered her time by working at NASA. Not, you'll be thankful to know, in her dopey role as communications officer where all she did was repeat everything back to the crew, but in recruiting females and members of minority groups into the NASA ranks. During this time, her prime catch was that of Sally Ride, who went on to become the first American female astronaut in space. Since that long ago time, Nichols has spent most of her time working in other space related fields such as educational space programs and so on. So you see, she really was a great communications officer after all.