Space Exploration

__________ __________ is the investigation of physical conditions in space and on stars, planets, and other celestial bodies through the use of satellites, space probes, or spacecraft with human crews.

• Space shuttle

• Space probing

• Space Exploration

• None of the above

What is one reason astronauts working outside the International Space Station need to wear space suits? The space suits -

• make it easier to identify the astronauts.

• help the astronauts float freely in space.

• have communication devices in the helmet.

• provide essential food and water for survival.

The space shuttle carries astronauts back and forth between Earth and the International Space Station in orbit around our planet. What feature is necessary for the space shuttle to perform its function? The space shuttle must have -

• sufficient mass to provide gravity equal to that of Earth.

• powerful engines to escape the pull of Earth's gravity.

• enough food for the astronauts to eat for several years.

• adequate space in which the astronauts can float freely.

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Space probes are unmanned spacecraft that have helped scientists gather more detailed information about the universe and objects in our solar system. Space probes send back all of the following EXCEPT -

• soil and rocks from the surfaces of planets and moons.

• information about a planet's surface and atmosphere.

• photographs of distant stars and space objects.

• data about the effects of solar winds on planets.

Why is it necessary for astronauts on the International Space Station to generate and recycle oxygen?

• Oxygen provides energy for the station's fuel tanks.

• There is not enough oxygen in space to sustain life.

• Oxygen protects the space station from radiation.

• Oxygen is a by-product of human respiration.

Pictures taken by the Cassini spacecraft show that the rings surrounding Saturn have dark and light bands. Until these pictures were taken, scientists on Earth did not know about this difference in color. Why was the Cassini spacecraft able to take pictures of the dark and light bands in Saturn's rings while they are not visible from Earth?

• The rings around Saturn are covered by thick, dark clouds made of toxic gases.

• Bright sunlight makes it difficult to see colors the farther it travels in the solar system.

• The differences between the light and dark bands are the result of minerals not found on Earth.

• Telescopes on Earth are not powerful enough to see these differences at the great distance.

Some scientists are planning a manned space mission to a rocky planet slightly farther from the Sun than Earth. To which planet are they sending astronauts?

• Mercury

• Venus

• Mars

• Jupiter

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Astronauts walking in space must wear space suits. The space suits provide all of the following EXCEPT -

• oxygen.

• gravity.

• protection.

• communication.

The diagram shows a type of space equipment. What is the most likely function of this piece of space equipment?

• To take photographs of distant galaxies and stars

• To provide a place for astronauts to live in space

• To launch space probes or other spacecraft

• To shield Earth from the effects of radiation

A fly-by mission involves sending a spacecraft past a planet without landing on it. During the relatively short time the spacecraft speeds moving past a planet, it is able to -

• gather information on how the planet changes.

• conduct in-depth studies of the planet's surface.

• deposit astronauts on the planet for further study.

• transmit close-up images of the planet back to Earth.