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Satellites Trivia Quiz

Satellites! Beneficial to our society for communications, weather reporting, military use, and more. How much do you know about these intense scientific objects?

A multiple-choice quiz by apathy100. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
apathy100

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
208,457

Updated
Jun 13 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1871

Last 3 plays: shvdotr (7/10), rustic_les (8/10), OswaldEllie (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The path that a satellite follows is known as an orbit. While in orbit, the farthest point from the Earth is known as the ___ while the nearest point is known as the ___. Hint

perigee, apogee

apogee, perigee

adigree, pedigree

pedigree, adigree

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. On October 4, 1957, what satellite was launched, becoming the first man-made satellite to officially orbit the Earth? Hint

Sputnik 1

Explorer 1

Vanguard 1

Oscar 10

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Prior to 2011, what were the two most common ways that a satellite was launched into orbit? Hint

Riding on a rocket and riding in the cargo bay of a space shuttle

Magnetics and riding on a rocket launcher

Using remote control and magnetics

Using remote control and riding in the cargo bay of a space shuttle

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Which of the following whirls around the Earth at 5 miles per second? Hint

NOAA 15

Laika

Explorer 1

Hubble Space Telescope

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Prior to 1957, what was the only satellite orbiting the earth? Hint

The Sun

The Moon

The Stars

The Planets

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What two nations were constantly trying to better each other from 1957-1975 in an informal competition known as the "Space Race"? Hint

Canada and United States

Soviet Union and United States

United States and China

Soviet Union and China

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Which of the following are designed for observation of planets, galaxies, and outer space objects? Hint

Astronomical Satellites

Navigation Satellites

Reconnaissance Satellites

Communications Satellites

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Anik 1 was a Canadian geosynchronous communications satellite that was launched in 1972. Anik is an Inuit word meaning what? Hint

Little Observer

Helping Hand

Little Brother

Great One

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. The first weather satellite was launched on February 17, 1959. What was the name of this satellite? Hint

TIROS-2

Vanguard 1

Vanguard 2

TIROS-1

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What non-profit organization is made up of worldwide ham radio operators that use their own membership-supported satellites? Hint

AMSAT

GLOBALSAT

HAMSAT

FUTURESAT

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The path that a satellite follows is known as an orbit. While in orbit, the farthest point from the Earth is known as the ___ while the nearest point is known as the ___.

Answer: apogee, perigee

As the moon moves farther and farther from the earth in an elliptical motion, its farthest distance from the earth is known as apogee. At its furthest point, the apogee may be over 400 000 km away. At its closest point, known as the perigee, the moon and earth may be as close as 350 000 km away.

2. On October 4, 1957, what satellite was launched, becoming the first man-made satellite to officially orbit the Earth?

Answer: Sputnik 1

Sputnik was the Soviet Union's and the world's first Earth orbiting satellite. The battery in Sputnik lasted about 3 weeks before it died. Explorer 1 was America's first orbiting satellite. It was launched and orbited in 1958. Vanguard 1 was launched off the Vanguard rocket in March 1958 and at times had very poor signals and reception. Oscar 10 was the first phase 3 Oscar satellite to reach orbit.

3. Prior to 2011, what were the two most common ways that a satellite was launched into orbit?

Answer: Riding on a rocket and riding in the cargo bay of a space shuttle

In order to save on fuel consumption, rockets are aimed straight up and then shot into the atmosphere. Due to gravity, gases, and interference, this is the most effective method in allowing a satellite into space safely with minimal damage. Many countries are now sending satellites into space regularly with government support in an effort to learn more about our solar system.

4. Which of the following whirls around the Earth at 5 miles per second?

Answer: Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope is named after Edwin Hubble (1889-1953). Hubble's Law (also named after Edwin Hubble) is a theory that suggests that there is a constantly expanding universe.

5. Prior to 1957, what was the only satellite orbiting the earth?

Answer: The Moon

The moon is the Earth's original natural satellite. Satellites are described as objects that revolve around the Earth in circular or elliptical motion, and the moon revolves in this pattern.

6. What two nations were constantly trying to better each other from 1957-1975 in an informal competition known as the "Space Race"?

Answer: Soviet Union and United States

This competition involved efforts by both nations to try and explore outer space and artificial satellites. This competition also included vast efforts by both nations to try and send human beings into outer space and to see who could send the first man to the moon.

7. Which of the following are designed for observation of planets, galaxies, and outer space objects?

Answer: Astronomical Satellites

Astronomical satellites have allowed scientists, astronomers, and astrophysicists to observe and analyze our galaxy in great detail. Many satellites have x-ray and infra-red sensors that allow for greater details than a simple telescope can provide.

8. Anik 1 was a Canadian geosynchronous communications satellite that was launched in 1972. Anik is an Inuit word meaning what?

Answer: Little Brother

Anik 1 was launched in 1972 and operated until 1982. Prior to Anik 1, there were no working national television satellites orbiting the earth, making Anik 1 the first official national television satellite. Various remote areas of Northern Canada received television signals for the first time with the launching and orbiting of Anik 1.

9. The first weather satellite was launched on February 17, 1959. What was the name of this satellite?

Answer: Vanguard 2

Vanguard 2 was designed to measure cloud cover, however, this satellite was poor in collecting data as a poor axis and rotation kept it from collecting meaningful information.
TIROS-1 which was launched by NASA in 1960, was the first successful weather satellite and operated for 78 days.

10. What non-profit organization is made up of worldwide ham radio operators that use their own membership-supported satellites?

Answer: AMSAT

AMSAT is an anagram for the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. AMSAT members have developed over 40 satellites with more to come in the future.

Source: Author apathy100

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