NASA Scientific Balloons Quiz

Since when has NASA been using balloons to explore Earth and space?

• 1983

• 1990

• 2005

• 2012

Why are balloon missions cheaper to operate than satellites or rockets?

• They take less time to plan and develop

• They can use higher-risk technologies

• They can be reused after missions

• All of the above

At what altitude do many of NASA's balloons fly?

• 50,000 feet

• 75,000 feet

• 100,000 feet

• 125,000 feet

What is one category of experiments flown on balloons?

• Weather measurements

• Testing new detectors

• Both A and B

• None of the above

What are the parts of a scientific balloon?

• Plastic balloon, helium, and scientific instruments.

• Plastic helium balloon and gondola

• Hot air balloon and a gondola

• Plastic balloon, parachute and scientific instrument.

What is the buoyant force?

• The force pushing the balloon upwards

• The force pulling the balloon downwards

• The force pushing the balloon sideways

• The force pulling the balloon upwards

How can a balloon be controlled?

• It can only go upwind, (against the wind)

• Its altitude can be controlled by changing the gravitational force acting on the balloon.

• Is altitude is controlled by changing the thrust force.

• It can only go upwards because helium is less dense than air.

Why is a balloon not fully inflated before launch?

• To save helium gas

• To prevent excessive pressure on the balloon

• To allow for expansion of gas as it rises

• All of the above

What happens to a balloon's altitude when the sun heats it up during the day?

• It rises in altitude slightly.

• It drops in altitude slightly.

• It stays the same

• It descends to the ground.

How does a balloon come back down to the ground?

• It deflates and falls

• It releases some of its mass

• It bursts and descends with a parachute

• It lands gently without any assistance