Unit 4: Shuttle Program

Which of the following statements best describes a major achievement of the Space Shuttle program?

• It was the world’s first reusable spacecraft.

• It was the first spacecraft to land on Mars.

• It was the first to orbit the Moon.

• It was the first to use solar panels.

Which structure did the Space Shuttle help build in space?

• The International Space Station (ISS)

• The Hubble Space Telescope

• The Mars Rover

• The Lunar Module

What are two main roles of the orbiter in the space shuttle program?

• Crew transport vehicle and space cargo hauler

• Weather monitoring and ground control

• Fuel storage and satellite communication

• Launch pad construction and mission planning

Which of the following statements is true about Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs)?

• They are liquid-fueled boosters.

• They operate during the entire flight.

• They are the first solid-rocket, fuel-filled boosters.

• They are never reused after a flight.

Why are Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) significant in terms of their size?

• They are the smallest rocket motors ever developed.

• They are the largest solid-propellant motor ever developed.

• They are the lightest boosters ever made.

• They are the shortest boosters in history.

What was the primary function of the external tank in the space shuttle stack?

• To store fuel for the orbiter’s main engines

• To house astronauts during flight

• To provide navigation control

• To generate electricity for the shuttle

Why is the external tank considered unique compared to other parts of the shuttle stack?

• It is the only part not reused

• It is the smallest component

• It contains the crew cabin

• It is made entirely of plastic

After being jettisoned, what typically happened to the majority of the external tank?

• It disintegrated upon re-entry

• It was recovered and refurbished

• It orbited the Earth indefinitely

• It landed on land and was collected

Explain why the external tank is not reused, while other parts of the shuttle stack are.

• It disintegrates upon re-entry and falls into the ocean

• It is too expensive to recover

• It is made of non-recyclable materials

• It is too small to be reused

If you were to explain the assembly of the space shuttle stack, which components would you mention as essential based on the provided information?

• Orbiter, two solid rocket boosters, external tank

• Orbiter, lunar module, external tank

• Command module, two solid rocket boosters, service module

• External tank, lunar module, orbiter