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Man in Space Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Man in Space Quizzes, Trivia

Man in Space Trivia

Man in Space Trivia Quizzes

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122 quizzes and 1,708 trivia questions.
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1.
  When Barbie Went To Space   great trivia quiz  
Ordering Quiz
 10 Qns
Female Astronauts
Mattel launched "Space Barbie" in 1965 and whether she inspired other women to venture beyond the Earth is moot; however, she did inspire this author to explore the feats of the following ten women who were the first for their countries to do so.
Average, 10 Qns, pollucci19, Aug 12 24
Average
pollucci19 gold member
Aug 12 24
106 plays
2.
Scenes from Project Gemini
  Scenes from Project Gemini   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
This quiz will focus on Project Gemini, which flew 12 manned missions between 1965 and 1966. The objective of Project Gemini was to practice maneuvers that the astronauts would need to master in order to travel to the moon during Project Apollo.
Average, 10 Qns, RedHook13, Jan 19 24
Average
RedHook13 gold member
Jan 19 24
187 plays
3.
  Man in Space Quotes   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Answer questions about well-known, and not so well-known quotes, made mostly by astronauts. Only the period from the beginning of manned space flight through the end of the Apollo era is covered. I hope you enjoy. Godspeed, Quiz Takers.
Average, 15 Qns, polaris101, Oct 26 11
Average
polaris101 gold member
3104 plays
4.
  NASA's Astronauts - Groups 3 to 7   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
By 1963, NASA found a need for increasing numbers of astronauts to keep up with the packed schedule of flights to meet President Kennedy's deadline to land on the Moon. Can you answer these questions about Astronaut Groups 3 to 7?
Average, 15 Qns, Red_John, Mar 13 23
Average
Red_John
Mar 13 23
88 plays
5.
  NASA's Astronauts - Groups 1 to 3   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In 1959, NASA recruited its first spacemen, when seven test pilots became the first US astronauts. Following them, more groups were recruited to meet the need for men to fly in space. Can you answer these questions about Astronaut Groups 1 to 3?
Tough, 10 Qns, Red_John, Mar 09 23
Tough
Red_John
Mar 09 23
162 plays
6.
  Project Gemini- NASA's Middle Child    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
The second of three programs with the single aim of getting astronauts to the moon, the Gemini Program is often overlooked. What do you remember about the missions that provided the groundwork for all future space missions?
Very Easy, 10 Qns, leith90, Mar 01 20
Very Easy
leith90 gold member
Mar 01 20
476 plays
7.
  Man in Space, 9 for 10   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Man has set his metaphoric foot in space since the launch of Sputnik in 1957. Here's an easy jumble of trivia on people and technology related to cosmic exploration, with a twist. The initials of the first 9 answers spell out the last answer!
Easier, 10 Qns, gracious1, Sep 27 21
Easier
gracious1 gold member
Sep 27 21
586 plays
8.
  A Blast From the Future!    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Some people say that blasting into space and colonising another planet is the future of humankind, but let's look back at our previous attempts. Can you identify these manned space missions from the crew members and year?
Easier, 10 Qns, pagea, Feb 11 18
Easier
pagea
502 plays
9.
  The Soviet Challenge for the Moon   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The landing of Apollo 11 marked the conclusion of what became known as the 'Space Race'. Despite subsequent denials, the Soviets actually did make a serious attempt to be the first to land a man on the moon. See what you know about this programme.
Tough, 10 Qns, mstanaway, Nov 15 07
Tough
mstanaway
1000 plays
10.
  Men on a Mission   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 15 Qns
In this quiz, you will match the Mercury or Gemini mission number with the astronauts who flew them. The Mercury capsule (Q1-6) could only accommodate one astronaut, while the Gemini capsule (Q7-15) could accommodate two.
Average, 15 Qns, RedHook13, Nov 11 19
Average
RedHook13 gold member
Nov 11 19
234 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Who was the first human to travel into space?

From Quiz "The Space Race"




11.
  The Voskhod Missions - Khrushchev's Folly   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Nikita Khrushchev's interference in the Soviet manned space in an effort to upstage Project Gemini in 1963/64 wasted precious years on a technological dead end.
Average, 10 Qns, mstanaway, Nov 17 08
Average
mstanaway
368 plays
12.
  The Mercury Seven   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz about the seven men chosen in NASA's "Astronaut Group 1", better known as the "Mercury Seven".
Average, 10 Qns, Maiguy, Feb 23 23
Average
Maiguy
Feb 23 23
1659 plays
13.
  NASA Turns Fifty   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
U.S. President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act into law on July 29, 1958, creating NASA. Here are questions on the first fifty years of NASA missions.
Average, 10 Qns, sidnobls, Jun 30 08
Average
sidnobls
1109 plays
14.
  The Final Countdown    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Europe's song is about leaving Earth for Venus. Going into space is risky, the engineering is complicated and things go wrong in a surprising number of ways. This quiz looks at some of the non-fatal incidents.
Average, 10 Qns, suomy, Jun 20 16
Average
suomy
733 plays
15.
  Saturn V   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It was the most powerful rocket ridden by man to date and the Saturn V's legacy involved propelling men to the moon and putting America's first space station in orbit. See how much you know about this wonderous machine.
Tough, 10 Qns, cag1970, May 09 09
Tough
cag1970
720 plays
16.
  Women in Space--- Let's hear it for the girls!   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a general quiz celebrating women in space and their stellar accomplishments. Come fly with me....
Average, 10 Qns, zenitth, Aug 28 15
Average
zenitth
1977 plays
17.
  Soyuz - A Veteran Spacecraft   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This trusty spacecraft has been the mainstay of Soviet and later Russian manned access to space for the past forty years. See how much you know about this adaptable spacecraft
Tough, 15 Qns, mstanaway, Mar 28 10
Tough
mstanaway
579 plays
18.
  Carrying the Fire   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
Questions regarding the Gemini and Apollo space programs from Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins' autobiographical book "Carrying the Fire".
Tough, 25 Qns, tinybubs, Jan 22 15
Tough
tinybubs
882 plays
19.
  Space Exploration In Fact And Fiction   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
This quiz will test your knowledge of space exploration, manned and unmanned, in fact and fiction.
Tough, 20 Qns, cag1970, Jul 20 19
Tough
cag1970
Jul 20 19
2455 plays
20.
  Vision for Space Exploration   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
In January 2004 President Bush announced the Vision for Space Exploration for a return to the moon and onward to Mars. How much do you know about the "Vision"?
Tough, 15 Qns, mstanaway, Aug 25 22
Tough
mstanaway
Aug 25 22
874 plays
21.
  The Human Body in the Vacuum of Space   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Ever wonder what would happen if you were in a spacecraft just minding your own business and all of a sudden the hatch blew open and you weren't wearing a spacesuit? It's not a subject most people worry about on a daily basis.
Tough, 10 Qns, mcdubb, Dec 06 10
Tough
mcdubb gold member
1592 plays
22.
  Welcome to Mission Control!   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Every manned American space flight has relied on a dedicated team of engineers, technicians and astronauts to ensure success. Mission Control is the subject of this quiz.
Tough, 10 Qns, cag1970, Dec 13 09
Tough
cag1970
399 plays
23.
  I Think He's Attempting Re-entry    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz will focus on various incidents and accidents that have occurred throughout the history of space travel.
Average, 10 Qns, RedHook13, Jan 22 18
Average
RedHook13 gold member
270 plays
24.
  Lunokhod Moon Rover    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Thirty five years before the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, wowed us with spectacular vistas from another world, a remarkable robot called Lunokhod endeared itself to the public with its antics on a world very much closer to home.
Tough, 10 Qns, mstanaway, Oct 04 07
Tough
mstanaway
299 plays
25.
  Semyorka - Old Number Seven    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Affectionately referred to by space engineers as 'Semyorka' or 'Old Number Seven' the family of rockets based on the R-7 design have become the most versatile space launchers in history. Check out this remarkable launcher.
Average, 10 Qns, mstanaway, May 20 09
Average
mstanaway
260 plays
26.
  Thinking of Becoming an Astronaut?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Have you been dreaming of flying in space your whole life? Forget about paying 20 million US dollars to be a Space Tourist. Here are a few ways you can get started on becoming an astronaut.
Average, 10 Qns, mcdubb, May 26 08
Average
mcdubb gold member
791 plays
27.
  India in Space    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Try out this unique quiz on the Indian Space Industry.
Tough, 10 Qns, gharik, Feb 23 12
Tough
gharik
1977 plays
28.
  Project Mercury   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
NASA's Project Mercury was the beginning of America's "Man in Space" program. Let's see how much you know about America's first strides in the Space Race.
Average, 10 Qns, CarolinaBill, Sep 15 12
Average
CarolinaBill
1737 plays
29.
  They Came From Above   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz highlights some of the most remarkable achievements of women in the fields of aviation and space exploration.
Average, 10 Qns, Reynariki, Sep 05 14
Average
Reynariki
361 plays
30.
  Project Gemini   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Sandwiched between the headiness of Project Mercury and the triumphs of Project Apollo, Project Gemini proved to be an important second step for America in its quest for the Moon. This quiz focuses on the ten manned missions of the series.
Tough, 10 Qns, cag1970, Mar 16 11
Tough
cag1970
594 plays
31.
  Space Flight Trivia    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
A few trivia questions for space buffs. Hope you enjoy the quiz!
Difficult, 20 Qns, Polaris101, Oct 19 04
Difficult
Polaris101 gold member
1745 plays
32.
  The Original Seven Mercury Astronauts   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In 1959, seven men were chosen from over 100 applicants to become America's first astronauts in the Mercury Project of the early 1960s. See if you can identify them from the facts provided.
Average, 10 Qns, drushalli, Mar 08 11
Average
drushalli
1040 plays
33.
  10 Questions on The Space Race    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is a quiz on early manned spaceflight. Those of you 'baby boomers' should do well on this one!
Tough, 10 Qns, gabby69, May 13 19
Tough
gabby69
May 13 19
4207 plays
34.
  The Mercury 7 Astronauts   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
America's first manned space program was Project Mercury. Seven pilots were selected to participate in what was, at the time, the most dangerous enterprise ever known to man. Let's see what you know about these seven men and the Mercury Program.
Average, 15 Qns, Misregistered, May 06 13
Average
Misregistered
3166 plays
35.
  The Right Stuff? The Project Mercury Astronauts   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You decide: Did the Mercury astronauts have the right stuff? This quiz is all about the first US astronauts, the selection process, their names and the space flights each made.
Average, 10 Qns, gshorey, Oct 29 14
Average
gshorey
346 plays
36.
  The Science of Space Travel    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is a result of an author challenge and deals mainly with some notable firsts that helped shape space exploration.
Average, 10 Qns, gme24, Aug 23 20
Average
gme24 gold member
Aug 23 20
410 plays
37.
  The Launch of Commercial Space Exploration    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The involvement of commercial business with the space industry has existed since the advent of national space programs. However, this quiz focuses upon the unprecedented growth within the U.S. commercial space industry during the 2000's and 2010's.
Tough, 10 Qns, Turgon3, Mar 20 20
Tough
Turgon3
Mar 20 20
154 plays
38.
  Rocket Systems of the World    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is not a difficult quiz. Find out how much you know about these fascinating machines.
Average, 10 Qns, gharik, Jun 26 23
Average
gharik
Jun 26 23
754 plays
39.
  Groceries on the Moon   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
We can't get groceries on the moon quite yet, so we should learn a little about astronaut foods throughout history. Bon appetit!
Average, 10 Qns, lingophilia, May 07 15
Average
lingophilia gold member
343 plays
40.
  Far Out! Like, Really Far Out...    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Space exploration has been a perilous journey. Both for those going into outer space and those still on the ground. Here are some questions on some of the mishaps and disasters that have occurred when we tried to go far out. Like really far out.
Average, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Aug 23 23
Average
dcpddc478
Aug 23 23
527 plays
41.
  It's not Rocket Science...or is it?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz will test your knowledge of of modern space travel. I hope you enjoy the quiz and maybe even learn a thing or two.
Tough, 10 Qns, evil44, May 12 10
Tough
evil44
593 plays
42.
  Haiku In Space    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The premise here is very simple. I provide you with a haiku describing a feat in the early history of human spaceflight, and you choose the name of the mission it describes.
Tough, 10 Qns, asgardshill, Aug 12 10
Tough
asgardshill
1082 plays
43.
  Unmanned Space Travel    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
While the astronauts and cosmonauts of manned spaceflight get all the glory, it is the unmanned flights are where most of the science is achieved. Here are fifteen questions about this little followed exploration.
Tough, 15 Qns, pericles34, May 03 08
Tough
pericles34 gold member
707 plays
44.
  The Launch of NASA    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You may know that Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon in 1969. You may even know that the last man to walk on the Moon was Gene Cernan in 1972. How well do you know the U.S. Space Program before it ever launched?
Tough, 10 Qns, mcdubb, Apr 02 09
Tough
mcdubb gold member
650 plays
45.
  History of Space Flights    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The history of space flights - so much has been achieved. Test your knowledge on some of the major achievements, so far.
Average, 10 Qns, fiachra, May 01 24
Average
fiachra
May 01 24
2965 plays
46.
  Out To Launch    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A history quiz of the Mercury and Gemini Space Programs - "Man's Toughest Test"
Average, 10 Qns, bigjohnsludge, Nov 28 15
Average
bigjohnsludge gold member
191 plays
47.
  China in Space!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here's a quickie quiz on a very significant historic event, China's first manned space launch. These questions will surely appear on Chinese versions of 'Trivial Pursuit' for years to come!
Difficult, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Oct 15 03
Difficult
thejazzkickazz gold member
943 plays
48.
  Haiku in Space II - The Inquire Strikes Back    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The premise is simple. I provide you with a haiku describing a feat in the later history of human spaceflight, and you choose the name of the mission it describes.
Average, 10 Qns, asgardshill, Feb 14 10
Average
asgardshill
415 plays
49.
  Onward and Outward to Mars   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The little rovers that could do their stuff.
Tough, 10 Qns, s_zumbach, Mar 07 19
Tough
s_zumbach
Mar 07 19
402 plays
50.
  Challenging Space History    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Put your knowledge of space exploration to the test.
Tough, 10 Qns, robstheisen, Mar 03 16
Tough
robstheisen
188 plays
51.
  Trivia on Space    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz on space and the history of the Space Shuttles. Enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, mundithegreat, Sep 23 11
Average
mundithegreat
2845 plays
52.
  Important Dates in Manned Spaceflight    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Quiz that test your knowledge dates in the US manned Space Program. (In the interests of brevity the questions just give the dates of key events without 'What happened on ...?')
Average, 10 Qns, racemany2k, Aug 07 03
Average
racemany2k gold member
999 plays
53.
  Space Exploration    
Multiple Choice
 5 Qns
A short quiz on the history of space exploration.
Average, 5 Qns, ravenskye, Jan 03 08
Average
ravenskye
4617 plays
54.
  2004 - My Life as a Mars Rover    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Mars Rovers are some of the most fascinating and ingenious machines used in astronomical exploration. In this you will be introduced to the rovers and their basic functions and operations in their adventures across the red planet.
Average, 10 Qns, cazzwazzy, Nov 03 18
Average
cazzwazzy
Nov 03 18
269 plays
55.
  Other Worlds Than This    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In the past few decades, many types of spacecraft have been sent off to explore the farthest reaches of our Solar System ...
Average, 10 Qns, skyrunner84, Apr 02 13
Average
skyrunner84
473 plays
56.
  The Gemini Program    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz contains questions about NASA's Gemini program, which preceded the Apollo program.
Tough, 10 Qns, BTangredi, Sep 01 11
Tough
BTangredi
679 plays
57.
  Space -- The First Small Steps    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz about the early days of space exploration for real Space Cadets! Kinda tough.
Tough, 10 Qns, umtutsut, Jul 10 03
Tough
umtutsut
1227 plays
58.
  The American Space Program    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz contains a variety of factoids from the history of the United States' space program.
Tough, 10 Qns, tralfaz, May 02 16
Tough
tralfaz
1201 plays
59.
  The Space Race Quiz for Experts    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A simple quiz based on a term paper I did last year about the Space Race. Enjoy!
Difficult, 10 Qns, beene_teen, May 01 24
Difficult
beene_teen
May 01 24
1278 plays
60.
  What Goes Up... Doesn't Always Come Down.    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In this quiz you'll be asked about things we've sent up into space, and some that haven't come down, at least not intentionally. Some will never return.
Tough, 10 Qns, H53, Jul 13 16
Tough
H53 gold member
282 plays
61.
  Has The Beagle Landed?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As of January 2004 the question in the title still remains unanswered. Nevertheless the achievement, whether a success or not deserves a quiz. The quiz is simple and not technical so I hope you enjoy playing it.
Tough, 10 Qns, kittyconner, Jan 13 04
Tough
kittyconner
498 plays
62.
  Mercury and Gemini - the Beginning    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a relatively easy quiz about the first two manned spaceflight programs from NASA. Good Luck!
Average, 10 Qns, cawheel, Jul 23 03
Average
cawheel
825 plays
63.
  Mercury, Gemini & Apollo Space Programs    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Questions about the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs.
Tough, 15 Qns, fertigline, Jul 07 20
Tough
fertigline
Jul 07 20
1100 plays
64.
  Projects Mercury and Gemini    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How well do you know your NASA history?
Average, 10 Qns, racemany2k, Apr 22 10
Average
racemany2k gold member
1022 plays
65.
  Space Pioneers:Yuri Gagarin    
Multiple Choice
 5 Qns
A short quiz about the first man in space.
Difficult, 5 Qns, Gamemaster1967, Apr 19 11
Difficult
Gamemaster1967 gold member
938 plays
66.
  Space Firsts    
Multiple Choice
 5 Qns
These were milestones in the Space Race. Can you identify them?
Tough, 5 Qns, awkins, Jan 19 11
Tough
awkins
2318 plays
Related Topics
  Technology and Computers [Sci / Tech] (261 quizzes)

  Space and Astronomy for Kids [For Children] (28 quizzes)

  Thematic Space [General] (32 quizzes)


Man in Space Trivia Questions

1. Buzz Aldrin was the first astronaut recruited to have a doctorate, which he gained in 1963 from which university?

From Quiz
NASA's Astronauts - Groups 3 to 7

Answer: MIT

Although Buzz Aldrin's career mirrored that of his contemporaries - he graduated from West Point with a degree in mechanical engineering, entered the US Air Force to train as a pilot, saw combat during the Korean War flying F-86 Sabres, during which he shot down two enemy aircraft, was posted to a fighter squadron in West Germany, and served a period as an instructor - he was less of the traditional kind of fast jet pilot. His passion for academia came out when, at the urging of his former squadron mate, Ed White, he enrolled as a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1959, intending to study for a Master's degree. Finding that he enjoyed the work, he advanced his studies with the intention instead of obtaining a doctorate. In 1963, he passed, earning an Sc.D in astronautics, with his doctoral thesis entitled "Line-of-Sight Guidance Techniques for Manned Orbital Rendezvous". In May 1963, Aldrin applied to selection as part of NASA's third astronaut group. He had previously applied the year before when Group 2 was being recruited, but his lack of test pilot experience disqualified him. However, this requirement was dropped for Group 3, with instead a minimum level of fast jet experience needed. Aldrin thus became the first astronaut with a doctorate, with his expertise leading to his being given the nickname "Dr Rendezvous". He was able to use his expertise in rendezvous techniques directly when, flying as the pilot of Gemini 12 alongside Jim Lovell in 1966, the spacecraft's radar failed, meaning Aldrin, using the backup charts and procedures he had helped design, plus a new type of sextant, was able to manually guide the spacecraft into the rendezvous and docking with its Agena target vehicle, proving the techniques he had studied for his doctoral thesis worked.

2. Man was always fascinated by the stars but didn't have a suitable device for closer observations. Who was the first person to develop the telescope in 1608?

From Quiz The Science of Space Travel

Answer: Hans Lipperhey

In 1608 a Dutch eyeglass maker developed a device that could "see far away objects as if they were nearby" and because of that named it spyglass. Three years later Galileo improved on the design and turned it towards the stars. The rest is history!

3. Which company was the first to launch a privately developed rocket to orbit and soon after develop the ability to vertically land orbital-class rocket boosters?

From Quiz The Launch of Commercial Space Exploration

Answer: SpaceX

From 1981 to 2011 NASA's Space Shuttle Program showed the world that a spacecraft sent into orbit could successfully be returned and then re-flown multiple times. SpaceX has prioritized reuse during the development of its Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship. This hinges upon the vertical landing of the booster rocket's first stage, a feat which was first accomplished in 2015 with a Falcon 9. Additionally, SpaceX's Falcon 1 was the first privately developed rocket to orbit Earth. Boeing, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin all played a part in the growth of the commercial space industry during the 00's and 10's.

4. In 2018, NASA announced a new program to put a woman on the moon. What Greek deity was it named after?

From Quiz Man in Space, 9 for 10

Answer: Artemis

In May 2019 NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine stated that the goal of the Artemis program was to land a pair of astronauts, one woman and one man, on the Moon by 2024, "the first woman and the next man". (The gender of the pilot who remains in the command module Orion was not specified.) Although lunar exploration was primary, Bridenstine also indicated that it would be an opportunity to work on approaches and technologies needed for a future Martian exploration. Namely, the Artemis program would include a tremendously powerful rocket called the Space Launch System (SLS) and a space station called Gateway to serve as an orbital outpost. NASA also revealed that the Artemis Generation spacesuits would be a vast improvement over the spacesuits in use at the time of the announcement (they were 40 years old, limited in movement, and few properly fit women's sizes.) Unlike the earlier Apollo lunar program of the 1960s-70s, NASA has conducted the Artemis program in conjunction with private businesses and with other nations' space programs, including those of Japan and Canada. One of the landing sites is the lunar South Pole. Artemis in Greek mythology is goddess of the hunt, wild animals, childbirth, and, of course, the Moon. She is the twin sister of Apollo, for whom the original U.S. manned lunar missions of the 1960s-70s were named.

5. On December 6, 1957, the United States attempted to launch its own satellite into orbit following the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union. The rocket exploded two seconds after liftoff. What was the name of the rocket?

From Quiz I Think He's Attempting Re-entry

Answer: Vanguard

After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik on October 4, 1957, the United States attempted to launch a satellite of their own two months later. The Vanguard three-stage rocket was designed by the Glenn L. Martin Company to launch America's first satellite into orbit. The rocket lifted off for about two seconds, but lost thrust and fell back to the launchpad and exploded. The satellite still functioned despite the blast, but was too damaged to be used again.

6. The oldest surviving man-made space object still in orbit is Vanguard 1, sent into Medium Earth Orbit by the US. It was launched within six months of Russia's Sputnik 1. When was it launched?

From Quiz What Goes Up... Doesn't Always Come Down.

Answer: March 1958

Vanguard 1, the fourth earth satellite ever launched and the first to use solar power, is 6.4 inches in diameter. It ceased operation in May 1964 and is expected to fall to earth around 2198.

7. An oxygen tank ruptured on the Apollo 13, leading to abandonment of the planned lunar landing and a difficult return to Earth. What caused the rupture?

From Quiz The Final Countdown

Answer: Fire

The story starts with a thermostat designed for a 28 volt supply which was not upgraded when the supply was changed to 65 volts. The higher voltage fused the contacts of the thermostat closed, resulting in a heating element being permanently switched on. This melted the insulation on some wires during a ground test. During the flight, the fan supplied by the wires was switched on, causing the fire which resulted in the failure of the tank. This 1970 space mission was the subject of the 1995 film "Apollo 13".

8. Which country was the first to build a rocket that could travel into space?

From Quiz Challenging Space History

Answer: Germany

The V-2 rocket was intended to be used as a guided ballistic missile. It was the first rocket which successfully crossed into the boundary of space on June 20th, 1944. The V-2 was largely the work of German aerospace engineer, Wernher von Braun. Braun later went on to invent the Saturn V Rocket, which was used by The United States during its Apollo program.

9. What astronaut was "Out to Launch" in the "Aurora 7" Mercury Program space capsule on May 24th, 1962?

From Quiz Out To Launch

Answer: Scott Carpenter

The "Aurora 7", piloted by Scott Carpenter, made three orbits around the Earth. A re-entry error took the capsule 250 miles off the splashdown point which delayed the capsule's recovery. Carpenter was the sixth American in space.

10. How was the food packaged for the first trip to space?

From Quiz Groceries on the Moon

Answer: In toothpaste tubes

Yuri Gagarin made the first space flight in 1961. While in space, he ate a lunch consisting of pureed meat and chocolate sauce, luckily in separate tubes.

11. On what date were the Mercury astronauts announced to the public?

From Quiz The Right Stuff? The Project Mercury Astronauts

Answer: April 9, 1959

On April 9, 1959 in Washington DC they were introduced in an overfilled room to 200 reporters. Because they wore civilian clothes, no questions were asked about their military careers. All the questions related to personal information or Project Mercury details.

12. In 1910, Parisian Raymonde de Laroche achieved a notable first in the field of aviation. Dubbed "Baroness" by the "Flight Magazine" (although not of noble birth), she was the first woman in the world to do what?

From Quiz They Came From Above

Answer: Receive a pilot's licence

Raymonde de Laroche (real name Elise Raymonde Deroche) first became interested in aviation after witnessing a presentation by the Wright brothers at the exposition in Paris in 1908. Two years later, she succeeded in her goal of becoming the first licensed female pilot. Over the period of 1910-1919 she participated in several exhibitions and aviation shows in Europe and North Africa. During one of these events, in St. Petersburg, she had a personal audience with Tsar Nicholas II, who, by addressing her as Baroness de Laroche, gave an aura of authenticity to the title that was, in fact, no more than an affectionate nickname (Raymonde de Laroche was the daughter of a plumber). Like many early aviators, she was involved in several serious airplane crashes over the course of her career, the last of which, in July 1919 at Le Crotoy, claimed her life. Sophie Blanchard was the first woman to professionally pilot a hot-air balloon, while Helen Richey was the first woman to be hired as a pilot for a U.S. commercial airline.

13. The 2003 disintegration of which Space Shuttle during re-entry took the lives of seven astronauts?

From Quiz Far Out! Like, Really Far Out...

Answer: Columbia

The Columbia Space Shuttle flew 28 missions. During the reentry of the final mission the spaceship broke apart scattering parts over five states. It was later determined that one of the carbon composite wings had developed a hole during take-off. This occurred when a piece of insulation from the external fuel tank peeled off and hit the wing.

14. One of the two Mars Rovers that landed on the surface of the red planet in January 2004 is 'Spirit'. What's the name of the other one?

From Quiz 2004 - My Life as a Mars Rover

Answer: Opportunity

Spirit and Opportunity were clear examples of the fact that science and innovation are by no means cold or purely rational endeavors, but carry with them deep aspirations of humanity.

15. The closest planet to the Sun, Mercury was first visited in 1974 by this spacecraft. Can you name it?

From Quiz Other Worlds Than This

Answer: Mariner 10

Mariner 10 actually made 3 visits to Mercury, two in 1974, and the last in early 1975.

16. Earth revolves around the sun every 365.22 days or so in an elliptical orbit with an eccentricity of about 0.017. The perihelion, or closest point to the sun, is about 91.4 million miles. Around what date does this occur?

From Quiz It's not Rocket Science...or is it?

Answer: December 21st

In the northern hemisphere Earth is closest to sun during the winter months. The reason it is colder during that time is because the sun is directly "above" the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5° South latitude and thereby providing only grazing energy north of the equator.

17. The original Mission Control Center, used from 1960 to 1964, was located on the grounds of which U.S. military facility?

From Quiz Welcome to Mission Control!

Answer: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Florida)

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was the site of the Mission Control Center and the launch pads used for Mercury and Gemini missions. Pads 5 (Redstone) and 14 (Atlas) were used for Mercury, while Pad 19 was used for Gemini. A replica of the original Mission Control Center is located on the grounds of the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. The last mission that the Mission Control Center at Cape Canaveral supervised was Gemini 3, in March, 1965. The Mission Control facilities at the Johnson Space Center near Houston, Texas, were first used during Gemini 4 in June, 1965.

18. Ed White takes a stroll First American to walk Watch that first step there

From Quiz Haiku in Space II - The Inquire Strikes Back

Answer: Gemini 4

James A. McDivitt and Edward White rode Gemini 4 into orbit on June 3, 1965. White became the first U.S. astronaut to walk in space, using a pressurized handheld maneuvering device to alter his trajectory. McDivitt and White had to deorbit and land manually due to failure of the automated re-entry control system. White would later lose his life along with astronauts Virgil Grissom and Roger Chaffee aboard Apollo 1 in 1967.

19. Yuri Gagarin April 1961 USSR's first

From Quiz Haiku In Space

Answer: Vostok 1

The former Soviet Union set the bar for human spaceflight on April 12, 1961 as Soviet Air Force pilot Yuri Gagarin rode Vostok 1 into orbit. Gagarin was the first human in space and the first to orbit the Earth, completing one orbit. Gagarin climbed out of his capsule and parachuted to Earth because Russian engineers were afraid that the landing would be too rough, a design issue that would not be corrected until the Voskhod series of spacecraft were constructed.

20. Which company served as the prime contractor on the Saturn V's first stage, the S-IC?

From Quiz Saturn V

Answer: Boeing

The S-IC was by far the largest of the three stages of the Saturn V moon rocket. The stage measured 138 feet (42 meters) in height, 33 feet (10 meters) in diameter, and weighed 5,030,000 pounds (2,280,000 kilograms) when fully fueled.

21. Three of the original seven Mercury astronauts were test pilots at the legendary Edwards AFB in the California desert when they were recruited to apply for the NASA program. Who were they?

From Quiz The Original Seven Mercury Astronauts

Answer: Cooper, Grissom, Slayton

Also testing planes at Edwards AFB was the iconic Chuck Yeager, who had been the first to break the sound barrier in 1947 as well as accummulating myriad records for distance and speed. NASA officials did not consider Yeager a good candidate because he was not college-educated and was too independent, having referred to astronauts as being "spam in a can." Yeager continued with a stellar career in the USAF, continuing to break records and push the edges of the envelop.

22. If exposed to the vacuum of space, how long will it take before the human body explodes?

From Quiz The Human Body in the Vacuum of Space

Answer: The body will not explode

The body is fairly elastic, and bones are tough. The skin has the ability to stretch enough to contain the increase in pressure difference from standard atmosphere to vacuum. Although if not wearing a pressure suit, the body may puff out to twice its normal size. In 1960, a man named Joe Kittinger made a record breaking skydive from 100,000 feet while wearing a pressure suit. His right glove sprung a leak, and his hand swelled to twice its normal size, and circulation stopped within the appendage. Within a few hours of landing on the ground, his hand returned to its normal size with no damage done.

23. This type of spin stabilized spacecraft made successful explorations of the Sun, Earth's Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus.

From Quiz NASA Turns Fifty

Answer: Pioneer

The Pioneer rocket attempted three failed lunar missions before being diverted for use in other missions, including mapping the interplanetary magnetic field, monitoring solar flares, flying by Jupiter and Saturn and returning information that would be crucial in the later design of the Voyager probe.

24. What was the first man-made object to reach the moon?

From Quiz Unmanned Space Travel

Answer: Luna 2

The Soviet spacecraft Luna 2 was launched in September 12, 1959 and crash landed (as it was intended to) into the moon two days later. The Soviets continued the Luna program until 1976 when Luna 24 returned from the moon with over 150 grams of lunar dust.

25. Who has the distinction of being the first woman in space?

From Quiz Women in Space--- Let's hear it for the girls!

Answer: Valentina Tereshkova

Valentina was launched into space on Vostok 6, 6/16/63, making world history. Interestingly, Valentina was not a scientist when recruited to the cosmonaut program. She worked at a textile factory and was an avid parachutist. It was her expertise in jumping that led to her selection. The rest, as they say, is history. Natalya Kuleshova is a cosmonaut who never made it to space. Barbara Morgan was the backup teacher for Christa McAuliffe on the ill-fated Challenger. Maureen Robinson is a fictionalized space traveler from the TV show "Lost in Space".

26. What does 'Lunokhod' literally mean?

From Quiz Lunokhod Moon Rover

Answer: Moon walker

The 'Lunokhod' or 'moon walker' was built under the direction Georgi Babakin of the Lavochkin design bureau after the Institute for Tractor and Agricultural Machinery deemed it impossible to build. It was a typically robust Soviet design weighing in at 756 kg and was part of the Ye-8 series of Luna exploration probes. It was originally designed to scout potential landing sites for the planned manned landing on the moon and act as transport for the cosmonaut to travel to a backup LK lander in case the original one became disabled.

27. Michael Collins was selected to be an astronaut in which group?

From Quiz Carrying the Fire

Answer: The Fourteen

This was the third group of astronauts selected by NASA. They never received a cool nickname that stayed with them. The others selected with Collins were: Buzz Aldrin, Bill Anders, Charley Bassett, Alan Bean, Eugene Cernan, Roger Chaffee, Walter Cunningham, Donn Eisele, Ted Freeman, Dick Gordon, Rusty Schweickart, David Scott, and C. C. Williams. Bassett, Chaffee, Freeman, and Williams died before they had a chance to fly in space.

28. Gemini III, the first of the manned Gemini missions, took place on March 23, 1965. How many orbits did astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young make during that flight?

From Quiz Project Gemini

Answer: 3 orbits

Two unmanned Gemini missions, in August, 1964 and January, 1965, paved the way for this mission. Gus Grissom, who flew the second Mercury mission, Liberty Bell 7, in July, 1961, became the first American to travel in space twice. For John Young, this would be the first of six missions he would make--two each during Gemini, Apollo and the Space Shuttle. Gemini III covered the three orbits in just under five hours.

29. The first of the manned Mercury flights was designated MR-3, but what was the name assigned to the space ship itself?

From Quiz Project Mercury

Answer: Freedom 7

Liberty Bell 7 was the name of the next flight (designated MR-2). Friendship 7 was the third Mercury flight and Faith 7 was the final flight of the Mercury series.

30. The man entrusted with the responsibility of landing a cosmonaut on the moon was referred to as the 'Chief Designer'. What was his name?

From Quiz The Soviet Challenge for the Moon

Answer: Sergei Korolev

Sergei Korolev, the visionary leading force behind the launch of the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik, and sending the first man into space, Yuri Gagarin, laboured away in anonymity and was never officially identified until after his death. In contrast his rival in the American space programme, Werner Von Braun worked in the full glare of publicity and made the most of this. Korolev's design bureau, OKB-1, was responsible for all the early rocket and spacecraft developments that gave the Soviet Union its early lead in space. Vladimir Chelomei was another rocket engineer whose OKB-52 design bureau developed the heavy lift booster UR-500 Proton. Valentin Glushko was the principal designer of rocket engines in the Soviet Union and was head of the design bureau OKB-456. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was an early theoretician and rocket scientist and is regarded as the 'Father of Astronautics'. His most famous quote was: "The earth is the cradle of humanity, but man cannot stay in the cradle forever".

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