Mars Science Laboratory: Seven Minutes of Terror

When did the MSL launch take place?

• November 26, 2010

• November 26, 2011

• November 26, 2012

• November 26, 2013

Which two rovers had previously landed on Mars before the MSL mission?

• A) Spirit and Opportunity

• B) Curiosity and Perseverance

• C) Voyager and Pioneer

• D) Apollo and Gemini

The engineers at JPL had to plan the journey from Earth to Mars based on the principles of ______.

• Chemistry

• Biology

• Astronomy

• Geology

What was the purpose of the powerful rockets used during the landing?

• To increase speed

• To stabilize the capsule

• To reduce descent speed

• To navigate the terrain.

What is the most popular inquiry regarding Mars according to the MSL mission?

• The presence of water

• The existence of life

• The temperature

• The size of the planet.

NASA is preparing for the next space flight to Mars by collecting evidence on the ________ profile of the red planet.

• Biological

• Geological

• Chemical

• Radiological

What is the ultimate goal of learning about Mars according to the document?

• To find water

• To bring human beings to the surface

• To study its atmosphere

• To measure its temperature.

Why might the engineers who worked on Curiosity have felt terror as they watched it land? Support your answer with evidence from the passage. Use the ACE Strategy.