5.2 Technology for Space Exploration.
Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. Scientists at NASA are planning a human exploration mission to the moon. Which of these spacecraft
would they use to deliver astronauts to the moon?
A. artificial satellite
B. probe
C. rocket
D. space shuttle
2.
The Hubble Space Telescope is a telescope that orbits Earth and collects data and images from distant
parts of the universe. What type of spacecraft is the Hubble Space Telescope?
A. space station
B. space shuttle
C. space probe
D. artificial satellite
3. In 2004, the Mars Exploration Rovers landed on Mars. The mission of this space program was to collect
and analyze soil and rock samples and send the data to Earth. What type of spacecraft were the Mars
rovers?
A. probe
B. satellite
C. shuttle
D. station
4. Leigh Ann wants to measure changes in the height of the San Gabriel Mountains over time. How can
satellite technology help Leigh Ann?
A. A satellite could triangulate the location of the mountains.
B. A satellite could record the height of the mountains daily from space.
C. A satellite could compare the mountains to mountain ranges on other planets.
D. A satellite could collect rock samples from the peaks and bases of the mountains.
5. Saturn’s rings were first observed about 400 years ago. However, scientists were not able to see these
rings in three dimensions until 2009. What can you conclude from these facts?
A. Different types of radiation can be used to produce images.
B. Information from images agrees with other types of information.
C. Optical instruments were used to observe Saturn’s rings in three dimensions.
D. Images of planets and other objects in the solar system reveal many details of solid surfaces.
6. Many communication services, such as Internet service and television channels, are provided through the
use of satellites. Which of these statements explains why satellites are useful for communication?
5.2 Technology for Space Exploration.
A. Satellite signals are not affected by weather.
B. Satellite signals can be shut down during emergencies.
C. Satellite signals can reach a wider area than ground-based signals can.
D. Satellite signals are not affected by tall buildings, bridges, or other structures.
7. If you wanted to travel from Earth to Mars, what type of spacecraft would you use?
A. rocket
B. satellite
C. space probe
D. space shuttle
8. Which of these statements describes one way that technology assists humans with observing distant
galaxies?
A. Satellites that orbit distant stars relay information to Earth.
B. Probes collect materials from distant stars for human analysis.
C. Instruments on space shuttles make measurements of distant stars.
D. Telescopes that orbit Earth collect data about the composition of distant stars.
9. When Edwin was training for his ham radio license, he learned that satellites can also be used for
communication. The diagram below shows how a satellite can be used to relay information.
Why does the sender require the satellite to relay the signal to the destination?
A. The signal is too weak to reach the receiver without being boosted by the satellite.
B. The receiver is able to receive signals only from satellites and not directly from the sender.
C. The weather between the sender and the receiver would block the signal from reaching the receiver.
D. The signal moves in a straight line, and the curve of Earth would prevent the signal from reaching the
receiver.
10. Some planetary images and satelliete photographs are made using visible light. Other images are made
with radiation from the non-visible portions of the elecromagnetic spectrum. Why do scientists study
images made with parts of the electromagnetic spectrum other than visible light?
A. These images are the only way to observe galaxies beyond our own.
B. These images reveal information that visible light does not show.
C. These images show important data from optical telescopes.
D. These images are the only way to observe space from Earth’s surface.