Q 01/05

In which year were both Voyager probes launched?

A) 1971

B) 1973

C) 1975

D) 1977

Answer · why

D) 1977

They took advantage of a rare alignment that let one craft reach all the outer planets with gravity assists.

Q 02/05

Which probe was launched first?

A) Voyager 1

B) Both on the same day

C) Voyager 2

D) Voyager 1, by one year

Answer · why

C) Voyager 2

Voyager 1 followed 16 days later on a shorter, faster path and still reached Jupiter first.

Q 03/05

On what date was Voyager 1 launched?

A) August 20, 1977

B) July 4, 1977

C) October 1, 1977

D) September 5, 1977

Answer · why

D) September 5, 1977

It lifted off from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral aboard a Titan IIIE.

Q 04/05

Which rocket launched the Voyager probes?

A) Saturn IB

B) Titan IIIE

C) Atlas-Centaur

D) Delta II

Answer · why

B) Titan IIIE

A Centaur upper stage rode on top and had to burn far longer than planned to rescue Voyager 1's launch.

Q 05/05

How close to running dry was the Centaur stage when it saved Voyager 1's launch?

A) 30 seconds of propellant

B) Two minutes of propellant

C) 3.4 seconds of propellant

D) It ran out exactly on cutoff

Answer · why

C) 3.4 seconds of propellant

The Titan's second stage shut down early and left 540 kg of fuel unburned; the Centaur made up the difference.