Challenger Disaster and Space Shuttle Program

What was the primary goal of NASA's space shuttle program in the 1980s?

• To develop new satellites

• To build a space station

• To reduce the cost of space flight

• To explore Mars

Why was the Challenger mission particularly significant?

• It was the first shuttle to land on the moon

• It was the first shuttle to be launched at night

• It was the first shuttle to carry a satellite

• It included a teacher who would conduct lessons from space

What was the main cause of the Challenger disaster?

• A design flaw in the SRB joints

• A collision with space debris

• A navigation error

• A fuel leak

Which component of the space shuttle was responsible for additional thrust during launch?

• The Main Engines

• The External Tank

• The Solid Rocket Boosters

• The Orbiter

Who was responsible for designing and building the Orbiter?

• Martin Marietta

• Morton Thiokol

• Rocketdyne

• Rockwell International

What was the purpose of the O-rings in the SRB joints?

• To prevent gas leaks

• To reduce weight

• To provide structural support

• To enhance thrust

What was the main issue with the SRB joints that contributed to the Challenger disaster?

• Fuel contamination

• Excessive weight

• Joint rotation and O-ring failure

• Electrical malfunction

What was the effect of low temperatures on the SRB joints?

• Increased fuel efficiency

• Improved structural integrity

• Reduced O-ring resilience

• Enhanced thrust

What was the initial solution proposed to manage the risk of joint rotation in the SRBs?

• Changing the launch site

• Reducing the shuttle's weight

• Increasing the launch temperature

• Using larger O-rings and metal shims

What phenomenon was discovered in the SRB joints that indicated a potential failure?

• Fuel leakage

• O-ring blow-by

• Electrical short circuit

• Structural crack