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Quiz about Its not Rocket Scienceor is it

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

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.

A multiple-choice quiz by evil44. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
evil44

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
318,073

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
594

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. 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? Hint

June 22nd

September 22nd

March 21st

December 21st

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Question 2 of 10

2. Space agencies around the globe try to create launch sites as close to the equator as economically possible. Which of these four choices is *NOT* a valid reason for this? Hint

It is easier to keep the rocket fuel cooler in equatorial climates

Equatorial launches offer more orbital inclination possibilities

Rotational velocity of the earth is faster at the equator, allowing for a faster initial orbital slingshot

Many equatorial locations have sparse population areas with plenty of water to launch over for safety reasons

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Space Shuttle launch sequence is very structured. Which of the following happens before the others in the launch sequence? Hint

SRB ignition

MECO

Max-q

Main engine ignition, one engine at a time

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Question 4 of 10

4. A geosynchronous or geostationary orbit has a period of 24 hours, thereby keeping it roughly over the same area of land on Earth. Which of the following would be a good reason to have a satellite in a geosynch/geostat orbit? Hint

Military intelligence imaging

Communications over Siberia

Satellite TV over the continental United States

Satellite cartography

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which type of satellite orbit would be most effective for environmental mapping of the entire planet? Hint

Sun-synchronous

Highly elliptical

Polar

Geosynchronous

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Question 6 of 10

6. When satellites or spacecraft have to change orbit altitude or orbit shape, which is the most fuel efficient way for them to do so? Hint

Direct transfer

Hohmann transfer

Gallileian transfer

Goddard transfer

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Question 7 of 10

7. In an elliptical orbit around Earth, which term describes the point in the orbit where the satellite is the closest to Earth? Hint

apohelion

apogee

perigee

periluna

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Question 8 of 10

8. How does the space shuttle generate water in space? Hint

Hydrogen fuel cells produce water as a by-product.

It compresses exterior hydrogen and oxygen free-floating molecules.

They don't. They have to carry it all up there with them.

They efficiently recycle the water through urine filtration and hydro-collectors.

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Question 9 of 10

9. How does the Space Shuttle regulate heat in orbit, especially during portions of the orbit that are in sunlight? Hint

Radiators inside the cargo bay doors.

Reflective paint prevents a build-up of heat inside the shuttle.

Stores the solar heat during sunlight and releases it during nighttime.

A large solar blanket is extended from the cargo bay to shield the shuttle during daylight operations.

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Question 10 of 10

10. What is the primary element from the periodic table present in the Space Shuttle's Thermal Protection System exterior tiles? Hint

Carbon

Aluminum

Uranium

Silicon

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

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.

2. Space agencies around the globe try to create launch sites as close to the equator as economically possible. Which of these four choices is *NOT* a valid reason for this?

Answer: It is easier to keep the rocket fuel cooler in equatorial climates

NASA uses primarily Vandenberg AFB in California and Kennedy Space Center in Florida for its launches, both southern locations in the continental US. The European Space Agency uses a location in French Guyana, located only about 330 nautical miles north of the equator.

3. The Space Shuttle launch sequence is very structured. Which of the following happens before the others in the launch sequence?

Answer: Main engine ignition, one engine at a time

The correct order out of these choices is main engine ignition (all three in sequence), SRB (solid rocket booster) ignition, max-q (maximum dynamic pressure or maximum sustained G-forces)... This is where the main engines are throttled back to 65-90% and the SRBs thrust decreases about 30%, then MECO (main-engine cut-off).

Answer: Satellite TV over the continental United States

Geosych/geostat orbits do not provide effective coverage of higher latitudes (usually above 70� N and S), so Siberia would not benefit from them. Since they only cover one area of Earth, cartography (map making) would also not be a valid application. Since the geosynch/geostat orbits are around 22,000 miles above Earth, satellite imagery would be of very poor quality for intelligence use.

5. Which type of satellite orbit would be most effective for environmental mapping of the entire planet?

Answer: Polar

Polar orbits will eventually cover all points on Earth, allowing for maximum ground coverage. While sun-sychronous orbits can offer environmental trend analysis by consistently passing over the same spots and the same times of day, they do not provide complete polar coverage. Geosych orbits only cover one area of the globe. Highly elliptical orbits tend to offer good coverage over one hemisphere (while the satellite is at apoapsis) versus the other hemisphere (when the satellite is at periapsis).

6. When satellites or spacecraft have to change orbit altitude or orbit shape, which is the most fuel efficient way for them to do so?

Answer: Hohmann transfer

The Hohmann transfer uses a periapsis "kick" of engine thrust to change the orbital altitude. Then when the satellite/spacecraft is at the proper location, there is an apoapsis kick to shape the orbit. A direct transfer is quicker than a Hohmann transfer but uses much more fuel. The other two are made up.

7. In an elliptical orbit around Earth, which term describes the point in the orbit where the satellite is the closest to Earth?

Answer: perigee

Apogee is the furthest point from Earth of an orbit. Periluna is the closest point to the moon for a lunar orbit. Apohelion is the furthest point from the sun in a solar orbit.

8. How does the space shuttle generate water in space?

Answer: Hydrogen fuel cells produce water as a by-product.

The shuttle uses three hydrogen fuel cells that combine hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity for shuttle systems. These fuel cells give off pure water that is stored in aquatanks and used by the astronauts for drinking, cleaning, and "other" functions. What is not used is expelled overboard.

9. How does the Space Shuttle regulate heat in orbit, especially during portions of the orbit that are in sunlight?

Answer: Radiators inside the cargo bay doors.

Large radiator coolers expel stored up heat similar to standard window unit air conditioners. In fact, as soon as the shuttle is in orbit, one of the first things they do is open the cargo bay doors to get those radiators expelling the heat.

10. What is the primary element from the periodic table present in the Space Shuttle's Thermal Protection System exterior tiles?

Answer: Silicon

The tiles are made of a high-quality quartz silicon, capable of protecting against temperaturs of up to 2300�F.

Source: Author evil44

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