The Great Space Rovers Quiz

Which Mars rover was the first to successfully land and operate on Mars?

• Spirit

• Opportunity

• Sojourner

• Curiosity

Answer explanation

Sojourner was the first Mars rover to successfully land and operate on Mars.

What is the primary mission of the Mars rover Curiosity?

• To search for evidence of past water

• To study the Martian climate and geology

• To search for signs of past life

• All of the above

Answer explanation

The primary mission of the Mars rover Curiosity is to search for evidence of past water, study the Martian climate and geology, and search for signs of past life. Therefore, the correct choice is 'All of the above'.

Which Mars rover holds the record for the longest distance traveled on the surface of Mars?

• Spirit

• Opportunity

• Curiosity

• Perseverance

Answer explanation

Opportunity holds the record for the longest distance traveled on Mars. It surpassed the previous record set by the Soviet Union's Lunokhod 2 rover on the Moon.

What innovative technology does the Perseverance rover carry to assist in its exploration of Mars?

• A drone helicopter named Ingenuity

• A ground-penetrating radar

• A portable chemistry lab

• A high-power laser for rock analysis

Answer explanation

The Perseverance rover carries an innovative technology called Ingenuity, a drone helicopter, to assist in its exploration of Mars.

Which of the following instruments is NOT found on the Mars rover Curiosity?

• Mastcam for taking panoramic photos

• SAM (Sample Analysis at Mars) for chemical analysis

• MOXIE for oxygen production from CO2

• APXS (Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer) for elemental analysis

Answer explanation

MOXIE is NOT found on the Mars rover Curiosity. It is used for oxygen production from CO2.

What was the primary goal of the Mars rover Spirit?

• To find evidence of current life on Mars

• To study the atmosphere of Mars

• To search for and characterize a variety of rocks and soils that hold clues to past water activity

• To prepare for human exploration

Answer explanation

The primary goal of the Mars rover Spirit was to search for and characterize rocks and soils that hold clues to past water activity.

How does the Mars rover Perseverance's mission differ from that of Curiosity?

• It focuses more on astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life

• It is solely focused on geological studies

• It aims to collect samples for return to Earth

• Both A and C

Answer explanation

The Mars rover Perseverance's mission differs from that of Curiosity because it focuses on astrobiology and collecting samples for return to Earth (choices A and C).

Which Mars rover discovered evidence that ancient Mars had conditions suitable for sustaining microbial life?

• Spirit

• Opportunity

• Curiosity

• Perseverance

Answer explanation

The Mars rover Curiosity discovered evidence of ancient Mars having conditions suitable for microbial life.

What is the name of the first helicopter to fly on another planet, which was deployed by the Perseverance rover?

• Spirit

• Opportunity

• Ingenuity

• Curiosity

Answer explanation

The first helicopter to fly on another planet, deployed by the Perseverance rover, is named Ingenuity. It successfully demonstrated powered flight on Mars.

Which of the following is a primary scientific goal of the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission?

• To determine the planet's habitability

• To search for signs of ancient life

• To collect and cache samples

• All of the above

Answer explanation

The primary scientific goal of the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission is to determine the planet's habitability, search for signs of ancient life, and collect and cache samples. Therefore, the correct choice is 'All of the above'.