The Launch of NASA Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dwight Eisenhower

Though Kennedy and Johnson both have Space Centers named after them, it was Eisenhower who signed the papers to create NASA.

Answer: The National Aeronautics and Space Act

The predecessor to NASA, the National Advisory Commitee for Aeronautics, was run by the military. The National Aeronautics and Space Act turned the Space Program into a civilian effort. Because it is civilian, NASA's efforts are public. The Soviet Space Agency on the other hand is run by the Soviet military.

The launch of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, was not publicized until after it had taken place successfully.

Answer: July 29, 1958

October 1, 1958 is the day NASA went into operation. This day is considered to be the "birthday" of NASA. November 3, 1957 was the launch of Laika, the Russian mutt which became the first living creature in space. Sadly, Laika did not survive the trip. October 4, 1957 was the launch of Sputnik, the first Soviet satellite.

Answer: October 1, 1958

When NASA first went into operation, it consisted of about 80 employees. Seven years later, at the height of the Apollo Program, NASA employed around 400,000 people.

Answer: The launch of Sputnik, the first Soviet satellite

At the height of the Cold War, the idea that the Soviet Union could launch a satellite which could orbit over the United States frightened many Americans.

Answer: Operation Paperclip

A total of about 500 German scientists were relocated to the United States to continue their work on missile technology for the benefit of the U.S. While most had been forced to work under the Nazi regime, some of these men were former members of the Nazi Party.

Answer: Wernher von Braun

Von Braun is considered by many to be the "Father of the United States space program" because of his revolutionary work in rocketry. Wendt immigrated to the United States in 1949 from Germany, and became the well loved leader of the Closeout Crew on the launch pad during the Apollo Era.

His tough leadership earned him the nickname "The Pad Fuhrer." Einstein had become a United States Citizen in 1940. Oppenheimer was born a U.S. citizen and is best known for his work in developing the atomic bomb in WWII.

Answer: T. Keith Glennan

Dryden and Goddard both have Space Centers named after them because of their work in aeronautics. Webb was the NASA administrator when Kennedy first challenged the U.S. to place a man on the moon. T. Keith Glennan served as the first NASA Administrator prior to becoming the President of the Case Institute of Technology, which later became Case Western Reserve University.

Answer: Christopher Columbus Kraft

Chris Kraft was the first NASA Flight Director, and later became the director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Gene Kranz was chosen by Kraft as the third Flight Director, the second being John Hodge. Kranz, played by Ed Harris in the movie "Apollo 13", was also the Flight Director on console when Apollo 11 landed on the Moon. Mission Control is located at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and is named after former President Lyndon Johnson.

Answer: 7

The Mercury 7 were the only astronauts until the second group was chosen, September 17, 1962. All seven original Astronauts flew in space. This group consisted of Alan Shepard, Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, and Deke Slayton. All except for Slayton flew in the Mercury Program. Slayton was initially grounded for a heart condition, but was later cleared and flew on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975.

The second group of astronauts chosen consisted of Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, Frank Borman, Ed White and John Young, to name a few.