Astronauts' post-NASA careers
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Astronauts' Post-NASA Careers — Daily trivia Friday, August 7, 2026: questions and answers
All 10 questions with answers and explanations. Play this daily
Q 01Which Apollo astronaut has spent much of his later career advocating human missions to Mars?
- ANeil Armstrong
- BBuzz Aldrin
- CAlan Bean
- DJim Lovell
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Buzz Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the Moon, has been a tireless advocate for space exploration, particularly championing human missions to Mars.
Q 02Which former astronaut served as a U.S. Senator for Ohio for multiple terms?
- AMichael Collins
- BBuzz Aldrin
- CJack Swigert
- DJohn Glenn
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John Glenn
After a distinguished career as an astronaut, John Glenn transitioned into politics, serving as a U.S. Senator for Ohio for 24 years. He was the first American to orbit the Earth.
Q 03Which pioneering astronaut co-founded an organization promoting science education for children?
- ASally Ride
- BPeggy Whitson
- CShannon Lucid
- DEileen Collins
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Sally Ride
Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, was a strong advocate for STEM education and co-founded Sally Ride Science to inspire young people, especially girls, in science.
Q 04Which former astronaut became a US Senator, following his wife into politics?
- AScott Kelly
- BMark Kelly
- CMichael Foale
- DStephen Bowen
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Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly, a veteran of four Space Shuttle missions, was elected as a U.S. Senator for Arizona, continuing a path in public service.
Q 05Who became a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati after leaving the space program?
- AFrank Borman
- BJim Lovell
- CNeil Armstrong
- DAlan Shepard
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Neil Armstrong
Following his historic moonwalk, Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, chose a quieter life and became a professor, sharing his knowledge of aerospace engineering.
Q 06British-born astronaut Michael Foale left NASA after 26 years to work on developing what?
- AA solar sail
- BAn electric aircraft
- CA hypersonic jet
- DA stratospheric balloon
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An electric aircraft
An electric aircraft. Foale was aboard Mir in 1997 when an uncrewed cargo craft crashed into it, and he later commanded the International Space Station.
Q 07Which Apollo astronaut later served as the Director of the National Air and Space Museum?
- AMichael Collins
- BBuzz Aldrin
- CJim Lovell
- DJohn Young
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Michael Collins
After orbiting the Moon during Apollo 11, Michael Collins took on a significant role in preserving space history as the Director of the National Air and Space Museum.
Q 08Which geologist walked on the Moon and later served as a US Senator for New Mexico?
- AEugene Cernan
- BHarrison Schmitt
- CAlan Shepard
- DJack Swigert
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Harrison Schmitt
Harrison Schmitt, a geologist who flew on Apollo 17, transitioned from lunar exploration to national politics, serving as a U.S. Senator for New Mexico.
Q 09Which ten-spacewalk veteran joined Axiom Space and commanded its first all-private ISS mission?
- AScott Parazynski
- BRandy Bresnik
- CMichael López-Alegría
- DPiers Sellers
Show answer
Michael López-Alegría
Michael López-Alegría. Born in Madrid and raised in California, he flew four times with NASA before leading Axiom's first private crew.
Q 10Which ex-NASA astronaut joined SpaceX and later became a USC Professor of Astronautics Practice?
- AChris Hadfield
- BSamantha Cristoforetti
- CMike Massimino
- DGarrett Reisman
Show answer
Garrett Reisman
Garrett Reisman. He was a SpaceX director when he joined USC's faculty in 2018, and he stayed on at SpaceX as a consultant.
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