Blast Off or Bust: Rocket Varieties Demystified Quiz

1. What is the main propulsion system of the Falcon Heavy rocket?

Merlin engines

RD-180 engine

Viking engines

BE-4 engine

The Falcon Heavy rocket is powered by 27 Merlin engines, arranged in three cores. These engines provide the necessary thrust for the rocket's launch and ascent. The Merlin engines are clustered in multiples on each Falcon 9 core, providing the necessary thrust for liftoff and subsequent stages of the rocket's ascent.

Explanation

The Falcon Heavy rocket is powered by 27 Merlin engines, arranged in three cores. These engines provide the necessary thrust for the rocket's launch and ascent. The Merlin engines are clustered in multiples on each Falcon 9 core, providing the necessary thrust for liftoff and subsequent stages of the rocket's ascent.

2. Which rocket was used for the Apollo moon missions?

Falcon 9

Atlas V

Saturn V

Delta IV Heavy

The Apollo moon missions, including the historic Apollo 11 mission that landed astronauts on the moon, utilized the enormous Saturn V rocket for their launches. The Saturn V was a multi-stage expendable launch vehicle developed by NASA for the Apollo program. It remains one of the most powerful rockets ever built. The Saturn V was used to launch the Apollo spacecraft with astronauts on board from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Explanation

The Apollo moon missions, including the historic Apollo 11 mission that landed astronauts on the moon, utilized the enormous Saturn V rocket for their launches. The Saturn V was a multi-stage expendable launch vehicle developed by NASA for the Apollo program. It remains one of the most powerful rockets ever built. The Saturn V was used to launch the Apollo spacecraft with astronauts on board from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

3. Which rocket was used to launch the Hubble Space Telescope?

Falcon 9

Atlas V

Space Shuttle Discovery

Delta II

The Hubble Space Telescope was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31). The launch took place on April 24, 1990, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Space Shuttle program, specifically the Space Shuttle Discovery, played a crucial role in deploying the Hubble Space Telescope into low Earth orbit.

Explanation

The Hubble Space Telescope was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31). The launch took place on April 24, 1990, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Space Shuttle program, specifically the Space Shuttle Discovery, played a crucial role in deploying the Hubble Space Telescope into low Earth orbit.

4. Which rocket was used to explore Mars?

Falcon Heavy

Atlas V

Delta II

Saturn V

The Atlas V rocket has been employed for launching various Mars missions, including Mars rovers and orbiters. For example, the Mars Science Laboratory mission, which carried the Curiosity rover, was launched aboard an Atlas V rocket.

Explanation

The Atlas V rocket has been employed for launching various Mars missions, including Mars rovers and orbiters. For example, the Mars Science Laboratory mission, which carried the Curiosity rover, was launched aboard an Atlas V rocket.

5. Which rocket was used to launch the Voyager probes?

Soyuz

Titan IIIC

Proton

Delta IV Heavy

The Voyager probes, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, were launched using the Titan IIIE/Centaur rockets. The Titan IIIE was a modified version of the Titan IIIC launch vehicle, and it used a Centaur-G upper stage for the Voyager missions.

Explanation

The Voyager probes, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, were launched using the Titan IIIE/Centaur rockets. The Titan IIIE was a modified version of the Titan IIIC launch vehicle, and it used a Centaur-G upper stage for the Voyager missions.

6. What propulsion method is employed by ion thrusters?

Electric Arc Engines

Liquid-fueled Engines

Hypergolic Propulsion

Electrostatic Acceleration

Ion thrusters employ the propulsion method known as Electrostatic Acceleration. Ion thrusters use electric fields to accelerate ions (usually xenon ions) to generate thrust. This propulsion method is characterized by the acceleration of ions through the application of an electric potential difference (voltage). As ions are expelled at high velocities, they produce thrust that propels the spacecraft forward.

Explanation

Ion thrusters employ the propulsion method known as Electrostatic Acceleration. Ion thrusters use electric fields to accelerate ions (usually xenon ions) to generate thrust. This propulsion method is characterized by the acceleration of ions through the application of an electric potential difference (voltage). As ions are expelled at high velocities, they produce thrust that propels the spacecraft forward.

7. Which rocket was used to launch the InSight lander to Mars?

Falcon 9

Atlas V

Delta IV Heavy

Atlas V 401

The InSight lander was launched to Mars aboard an Atlas V 401 rocket. The launch took place on May 5, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Atlas V 401 configuration included a four-meter payload fairing, no solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

Explanation

The InSight lander was launched to Mars aboard an Atlas V 401 rocket. The launch took place on May 5, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Atlas V 401 configuration included a four-meter payload fairing, no solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

8. Which rocket was used to launch the Curiosity rover to Mars?

Falcon 9

Atlas V

Delta IV Heavy

Atlas V 551

The Curiosity rover was launched to Mars aboard an Atlas V rocket. The specific configuration used for the launch was the Atlas V 541, where the "5" indicates a five-meter payload fairing, the "4" represents four solid rocket boosters, and the "1" indicates a single-engine Centaur upper stage. The launch took place on November 26, 2011, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Explanation

The Curiosity rover was launched to Mars aboard an Atlas V rocket. The specific configuration used for the launch was the Atlas V 541, where the "5" indicates a five-meter payload fairing, the "4" represents four solid rocket boosters, and the "1" indicates a single-engine Centaur upper stage. The launch took place on November 26, 2011, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

9. What is the propulsion system used by the Vega rocket?

Hybrid Rocket Engines

Nuclear Thermal Rockets

Liquid Oxygen and Kerosene Engines

Solid Rocket Motors

The Vega rocket primarily uses Solid Rocket Motors for its propulsion system. The rocket consists of several stages, with the first three stages being solid rocket motors (P80, Zefiro 23, and Zefiro 9), providing the initial thrust during the rocket's ascent. The fourth stage, AVUM (Attitude and Vernier Upper Module), is a liquid rocket stage that allows for more precise orbit insertion and payload deployment.

Explanation

The Vega rocket primarily uses Solid Rocket Motors for its propulsion system. The rocket consists of several stages, with the first three stages being solid rocket motors (P80, Zefiro 23, and Zefiro 9), providing the initial thrust during the rocket's ascent. The fourth stage, AVUM (Attitude and Vernier Upper Module), is a liquid rocket stage that allows for more precise orbit insertion and payload deployment.

10. Which rocket was used to launch the Juno spacecraft to Jupiter?

Falcon Heavy

Atlas V

Delta IV Heavy

Titan III

The Juno spacecraft was sent on its mission to Jupiter using an Atlas V rocket. Juno is providing valuable insights into the giant planet's atmosphere and internal structure. The Atlas V 551 configuration includes a 5-meter payload fairing, five solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

Explanation

The Juno spacecraft was sent on its mission to Jupiter using an Atlas V rocket. Juno is providing valuable insights into the giant planet's atmosphere and internal structure. The Atlas V 551 configuration includes a 5-meter payload fairing, five solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.