General Awareness ยท Physics

Space Exploration and Astronomy

3,952 Questions

Review significant milestones in space exploration, including artificial satellites, reusable space shuttles, and historic lunar landings. This topic also covers astronomical phenomena and telescopic observations. Such scientific general knowledge is commonly tested in SSC, railways, and banking examinations.

Space shuttle missionsArtificial satellitesLunar and planetary landingsSpace telescopes and observatories

Space Exploration and Astronomy Questions

Multiple choice

Which spacecraft was the first to successfully land on Mars?

  1. Viking 1

  2. Mariner 4

  3. Curiosity

  4. Opportunity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Viking 1 was the first spacecraft to successfully land on Mars and conduct experiments on the planet's surface in 1976.

Multiple choice

Which space probe was the first to successfully enter orbit around Saturn?

  1. Cassini-Huygens

  2. Pioneer 11

  3. Voyager 1

  4. Voyager 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Cassini-Huygens was the first spacecraft to successfully enter orbit around Saturn, completing its mission in 2017.

Multiple choice

Which space probe was the first to successfully enter orbit around Uranus?

  1. Voyager 1

  2. Voyager 2

  3. New Horizons

  4. Cassini-Huygens
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Voyager 2 was the first spacecraft to successfully enter orbit around Uranus, completing its mission in 1989.

Multiple choice

Which space probe was the first to successfully enter orbit around Neptune?

  1. Voyager 1

  2. Voyager 2

  3. New Horizons

  4. Cassini-Huygens
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Voyager 2 was the first spacecraft to successfully enter orbit around Neptune, completing its mission in 1989.

Multiple choice

Which space probe was the first to successfully land on a comet?

  1. Rosetta

  2. Philae

  3. Hayabusa

  4. Stardust
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Philae, a lander carried by the Rosetta spacecraft, was the first spacecraft to successfully land on a comet, specifically Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, in 2014.

Multiple choice

Which space probe was the first to successfully land on an asteroid?

  1. Hayabusa

  2. NEAR Shoemaker

  3. Dawn

  4. OSIRIS-REx
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

NEAR Shoemaker was the first spacecraft to successfully land on an asteroid, specifically Eros, in 2001.

Multiple choice

Which space probe was the first to successfully return samples from an asteroid to Earth?

  1. Hayabusa

  2. NEAR Shoemaker

  3. Dawn

  4. OSIRIS-REx
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hayabusa was the first spacecraft to successfully return samples from an asteroid, specifically Itokawa, to Earth in 2010.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the next-generation space telescope that will replace the Hubble Space Telescope?

  1. James Webb Space Telescope

  2. Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

  3. Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The James Webb Space Telescope, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope are all next-generation space telescopes that are planned to replace the Hubble Space Telescope.

Multiple choice

When is the James Webb Space Telescope expected to be launched?

  1. 2021

  2. 2022

  3. 2023

  4. 2024
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The James Webb Space Telescope is currently scheduled to be launched in 2022.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the mission that will service the Hubble Space Telescope in 2020?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 4

  2. Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 5

  3. Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 6

  4. Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 7
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 6 is scheduled to launch in 2020 and will be the last servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.

Multiple choice

What are some of the tasks that will be performed during the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 6?

  1. Replacing the Hubble Space Telescope's batteries

  2. Replacing the Hubble Space Telescope's gyroscopes

  3. Installing new instruments on the Hubble Space Telescope

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 6 will perform a variety of tasks, including replacing the Hubble Space Telescope's batteries, replacing the Hubble Space Telescope's gyroscopes, and installing new instruments on the Hubble Space Telescope.

Multiple choice

How much will the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 6 cost?

  1. $1 billion
  2. $2 billion
  3. $3 billion
  4. $4 billion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 6 is expected to cost approximately $2 billion.

Multiple choice

What is the future of the Hubble Space Telescope after the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 6?

  1. The Hubble Space Telescope will be retired

  2. The Hubble Space Telescope will be transferred to a new orbit

  3. The Hubble Space Telescope will be used as a testbed for new technologies

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The future of the Hubble Space Telescope after the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 6 is uncertain. It is possible that the Hubble Space Telescope will be retired, transferred to a new orbit, or used as a testbed for new technologies.

Multiple choice

Which country was the first to successfully launch an artificial satellite into space?

  1. United States

  2. Soviet Union

  3. China

  4. India
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Soviet Union was the first country to successfully launch an artificial satellite into space, called Sputnik 1, on October 4, 1957.

Multiple choice

Which space agency is responsible for the International Space Station (ISS)?

  1. NASA

  2. ESA

  3. JAXA

  4. Roscosmos
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is the space agency responsible for the International Space Station (ISS).