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Onward and Outward to Mars Trivia Quiz

The little rovers that could do their stuff.

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

Author
s_zumbach

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
244,484

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
402

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was the launch vehicle used for MER-A & MER-B? Hint

Delta IV

Delta II

Atlas V

Trident II

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Who is the principal science payload investigator for MER mission? Hint

Werner Von Braun

Marc Rayman

Carolyn Porco

Steven Squyres

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is MER-A's official name? Hint

MER-A

Mars Express Rover A

Mars Expeditious Rover A

Opportunity

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is MER-B's unofficial/dubbed name (nickname)? Hint

Pathfinder

Mariner X

Sojourner

Opportunity

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the landing system that the MERs used? Hint

aeroshell/parachute/retro-rocket/airbag

controlled descent by rocket

aerobrake/aeroplane/aeroshell

retro-rocket/controlled descent by parachute

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Spirit and Opportunity, launched in 2004 exceeded their 90 sol (martian day) warranty. What became of them? Hint

The Martians took possession of them

Contact was lost in 2005. This was caused by dust collected on solar panels

Both have stopped.

Contact was lost in 2006. This was caused by a solar flare

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Question 7 of 10

7. On the mission patches of MER-A and B are "Marvin the Martian" and "Donald Duck".

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. The MER-B rover landed in a crater on Meridiani Planum. Was this the result of bad luck, poor planning, or serendipity? Hint

Martians

Poor planning

Serendipity

Bad luck

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What Mars orbiting vehicle photographed the "Opportunity" landing site. Hint

Mars Odyssey

Mars Global Surveyor

Viking II orbiter

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What is the name of Spirit's landing site? Hint

Marianas Trench

Crater Lake

Gusev Crater

Mount Olympus

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was the launch vehicle used for MER-A & MER-B?

Answer: Delta II

Delta IV and Atlas V are heavier lifting vehicles. Trident II is an SLBM (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile).

2. Who is the principal science payload investigator for MER mission?

Answer: Steven Squyres

Carolyn Porco is the lead imaging scientist on the Cassini mission. Marc Rayman was the lead scientist on Deep Space 1 (very cool mission). Ex-Nazi Werner Von Braun was a lead scientist in Hitler's V-1 & V-2 projects. He also lead the USA's Saturn project.

3. What is MER-A's official name?

Answer: MER-A

It's unofficial/dubbed name is 'Spirit'.

4. What is MER-B's unofficial/dubbed name (nickname)?

Answer: Opportunity

Mer-B has traveled more distance in one day than Sojourner did in its entire existence.

5. What was the landing system that the MERs used?

Answer: aeroshell/parachute/retro-rocket/airbag

See the JPL site for graphics of beachballs (MER's) from Earth landing on Mars.

6. Spirit and Opportunity, launched in 2004 exceeded their 90 sol (martian day) warranty. What became of them?

Answer: Both have stopped.

Spring on Mars is approaching & the little golf carts that could are getting ready for the start of their third year of exploration. Amazing, considering that 70 degrees F is as warm as it gets at the Martian equator at noon during the summer.

7. On the mission patches of MER-A and B are "Marvin the Martian" and "Donald Duck".

Answer: False

It was Marvin and Daffy (Duck Dodgers).

8. The MER-B rover landed in a crater on Meridiani Planum. Was this the result of bad luck, poor planning, or serendipity?

Answer: Serendipity

The walls of this crater exposed stratam. Strata expose the past history of Mars. The past history of Mars is why Opportunity was sent. It's like a hole in one from 40 million miles.

9. What Mars orbiting vehicle photographed the "Opportunity" landing site.

Answer: Mars Global Surveyor

Contact was recently lost with MGS and it is presumed lost. After 10 years of service in Mars orbit, that's not bad.

10. What is the name of Spirit's landing site?

Answer: Gusev Crater

All of the wrong answers are here on Earth.

Source: Author s_zumbach

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