Q 01/05

On what date did the Challenger disaster occur?

A) February 1, 2003

B) January 27, 1967

C) January 28, 1986

D) April 12, 1981

Answer · why

C) January 28, 1986

It was the first fatal accident involving an American spacecraft in flight.

Q 02/05

How many seconds into its flight did Challenger break apart?

A) 90

B) 110

C) 73

D) 150

Answer · why

C) 73

The vehicle was at about 46,000 feet over the Atlantic, travelling at Mach 1.92.

Q 03/05

What was the mission designation of Challenger's final flight?

A) STS-51-L

B) STS-107

C) STS-1

D) STS-61-C

Answer · why

A) STS-51-L

It was the orbiter's tenth flight and the 25th of the Shuttle programme.

Q 04/05

What component failed in the right solid rocket booster?

A) The nozzle

B) The parachute

C) The igniter

D) The O-ring seals

Answer · why

D) The O-ring seals

Record-low temperatures stiffened the rubber rings so they could not seal a field joint.

Q 05/05

Which company manufactured the solid rocket boosters?

A) Rockwell International

B) Martin Marietta

C) Lockheed

D) Morton Thiokol

Answer · why

D) Morton Thiokol

Its engineers had proposed a redesigned field joint in 1985, and new casings were on order.