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 country was the first to launch a 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 launch a satellite into space, Sputnik 1, on October 4, 1957.

Multiple choice

Which country was the first to send a human 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 send a human into space, Yuri Gagarin, on April 12, 1961.

Multiple choice

Which country was the first to land a human on the Moon?

  1. United States

  2. Soviet Union

  3. China

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

The United States was the first country to land a human on the Moon, Neil Armstrong, on July 20, 1969.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first space telescope launched by NASA?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope

  2. James Webb Space Telescope

  3. Spitzer Space Telescope

  4. Chandra X-ray Observatory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Hubble Space Telescope was the first space telescope launched by NASA, on April 24, 1990.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first space probe to 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 space probe to land on Mars, on July 20, 1976.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first space probe to enter the atmosphere of Venus?

  1. Mariner 2

  2. Venera 4

  3. Pioneer Venus Orbiter

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

Mariner 2 was the first space probe to enter the atmosphere of Venus, on December 14, 1962.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first space probe to fly by Jupiter?

  1. Pioneer 10

  2. Voyager 1

  3. Galileo

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

Pioneer 10 was the first space probe to fly by Jupiter, on December 4, 1973.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first space probe to fly by Saturn?

  1. Pioneer 11

  2. Voyager 1

  3. Cassini-Huygens

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

Pioneer 11 was the first space probe to fly by Saturn, on September 1, 1979.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first space probe to fly by Uranus?

  1. Voyager 2

  2. Pioneer 10

  3. Pioneer 11

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

Voyager 2 was the first space probe to fly by Uranus, on January 24, 1986.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first space probe to fly by Neptune?

  1. Voyager 2

  2. Pioneer 10

  3. Pioneer 11

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

Voyager 2 was the first space probe to fly by Neptune, on August 25, 1989.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first space probe to enter orbit around Mercury?

  1. Mariner 10

  2. MESSENGER

  3. BepiColombo

  4. Parker Solar Probe
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mariner 10 was the first space probe to enter orbit around Mercury, on March 29, 1974.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first space probe to enter orbit around Venus?

  1. Mariner 2

  2. Venera 4

  3. Pioneer Venus Orbiter

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

Venera 4 was the first space probe to enter orbit around Venus, on October 18, 1967.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first space probe to enter orbit around Mars?

  1. Mariner 9

  2. Viking 1

  3. Curiosity

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

Mariner 9 was the first space probe to enter orbit around Mars, on November 14, 1971.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the mission that is searching for signs of life on Mars?

  1. Mars 2020

  2. Perseverance

  3. Curiosity

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

Mars 2020 is a mission that is searching for signs of life on Mars. The mission launched in July 2020 and is expected to reach Mars in February 2021.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the telescope that is searching for signs of life on other planets?

  1. James Webb Space Telescope

  2. Hubble Space Telescope

  3. Spitzer Space Telescope

  4. Kepler Space Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The James Webb Space Telescope is a telescope that is searching for signs of life on other planets. The telescope launched in December 2021 and is expected to begin operations in 2022.