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2004 - My Life as a Mars Rover Quiz

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.

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

Author
cazzwazzy

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
329,755

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
270

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. 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? Hint

Pathfinder

Pioneer

Ivanhoe

Opportunity

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was the main purpose of the Mars rovers? Hint

Gather solar energy for future use on Earth

Send out signals into space for alien civilizations to find Earth

Help scientists track the existence of water on the planet

Function as a safe that contains copies of important Earth documents

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who was responsible for launching the two rovers and controlling the project? Hint

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)

ISEI (International Space Exploration Institute)

JPL (Jet Propulsion Lab)

ESA (European Space Agency)

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Question 4 of 10

4. What happened to Spirit in May 2009, resulting in it becoming a stationary rover (a striking example of an astronomical oxymoron)? Hint

It became stuck in soft soil

Its battery capacity decreased and cannot power movement any longer

One of its wheels became loose and fell off

It fell into a cavity and cannot get out

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Question 5 of 10

5. With such delicate equipment on board, how did the two rovers make it safely onto the surface of Mars? Hint

The rover was folded up in a lander with a protective heat shield

Rockets blasting down to the surface to guide the rover and soften its landing

The orbiting craft deployed the rover on the surface before blasting off again

Radio-controlled fixed wing gliding mechanism

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Question 6 of 10

6. For how long did scientists originally believe the two rovers would function? Hint

Around 2 years

Up to five years

Around 1 year

Around 90 days

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the main source of energy that powers the two rovers? Hint

Solar power

Extreme long life batteries

Nuclear power

On board generators

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Question 8 of 10

8. How were the functions and movements of the two rovers controlled? Hint

Pre-programmed operation sequences executed repeatedly

Antennae relaying long range radio signals

The rovers have artificial intelligence

Microwaves relayed via satellite

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Question 9 of 10

9. How did the two rovers move about on the rocky surface of Mars? Hint

On 'caterpillar' or tank wheels

On six wheels

Pneumatically propelled robotic legs

'Hopping' from spot to spot through rocket propulsion

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Question 10 of 10

10. What distance did Spirit cover, since 2004, before it became stuck in March 2010? Hint

20 kilometers, or 12.4 miles

15 kilometers, or 9.3 miles

55 kilometers, or 34.1 miles

7 kilometers, or 4.2 miles

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. 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?

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.

2. What was the main purpose of the Mars rovers?

Answer: Help scientists track the existence of water on the planet

Although the main aim of the two rovers was to track whether water exists or had existed on Mars, and in what form, they also did other kinds of testing that provided scientists with crucial information about the planet. These include their functions to pave the way for human exploration of Mars and determine whether life ever existed on the planet.

3. Who was responsible for launching the two rovers and controlling the project?

Answer: JPL (Jet Propulsion Lab)

JPL is a laboratory of NASA, and was established at California Institute of Technology in the 1930s. They were the primary institution responsible for the two rovers, but they also run many other space projects, including the Cassini and Voyager missions.

4. What happened to Spirit in May 2009, resulting in it becoming a stationary rover (a striking example of an astronomical oxymoron)?

Answer: It became stuck in soft soil

After attempting for about 9 months to get the rover moving again, JPL finally gave up and resigned themselves to use it as a stationary observation and testing station.

5. With such delicate equipment on board, how did the two rovers make it safely onto the surface of Mars?

Answer: The rover was folded up in a lander with a protective heat shield

Landing the rovers was a crucial and delicate operation, and could have wrecked the whole project if it had gone wrong!

6. For how long did scientists originally believe the two rovers would function?

Answer: Around 90 days

Spirit and Opportunity far exceeded their mission of 90 days, and as such fulfilled the optimism signified by their names. They were a great success story in the annals of space exploration.

7. What was the main source of energy that powers the two rovers?

Answer: Solar power

The large solar panels mounted on each of the rovers were one of their most characteristic features, but they're not ordinary. They had special sensors that detected the build up of dust, a great danger in the dusty Martian atmosphere. An electrical charge was used to get rid of dust that may have impeded the function of the solar panels.

Some of the instruments made use of radioactive sources for power.

8. How were the functions and movements of the two rovers controlled?

Answer: Antennae relaying long range radio signals

Not only were the operations controlled from Earth, but the rovers also sent their images and information back to Earth with these antennae.

9. How did the two rovers move about on the rocky surface of Mars?

Answer: On six wheels

The six free moving wheels on each vehicle are what allow the rovers to move about on the rough surface of Mars. Spirit's wheels have given some trouble however, and by 2009 only four of the six were operational.

10. What distance did Spirit cover, since 2004, before it became stuck in March 2010?

Answer: 7 kilometers, or 4.2 miles

Although it does not sound like a great distance, the 7 kilometers yielded much valuable information and many memorable images. Larger scale observations and mapping are handled by units orbiting Mars.

Source: Author cazzwazzy

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