Astronomy Review - Space Exploration

Review Checklist - Sample Questions

Space Exploration

In General

Which planets have been approached by spacecraft from Earth?
Which planets have spacecraft from Earth landed on?
On which bodies outside the Earth have humans actually been?

Terrestrial Planets

Are there any current or planned missions to Mercury?
Are there any current or planned missions to Venus?
Are there any current or planned missions to the Moon?
Are there any current or planned missions to Mars?

Jovian Planets

Why were the late 1970's a good time for NASA to launch spacecraft to the Jovian planets?
What was the purpose the Pioneer missions, that NASA sent before Voyager 1 and 2?
Why was the region beyond the orbit of Mars considered to be dangerous for spacecraft?
What spacecraft first reached Jupiter, and which one was the major explorer of Jovian planets?
What surprise did Pioneer find around Jupiter that forced to redesign the Voyager missions?
How did the Voyager images of Jupiter and its moons compare to the scientists' expectations?
How did the Voyager images of Saturn and its rings compare to the scientists' expectations?
Which planet was somewhat of a disappointment to NASA scientists?
Why was the moon Miranda the most striking thing that Voyager saw around Uranus?
How did the Voyager images of Neptune and its winds compare to the scientists' expectations?
What is strange about Neptune's ring, and Do we understand the reason?
Why is Neptune's moon Triton remarkable?
How long did it take the Voyager spacecraft to complete their tour of the outer Solar System?
What did the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft do? What happened to them eventually?
Where did the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft go? What happened to them eventually?
Which ones of the four large planets have been visited or will soon be visited again?
Have other spacecraft gone to Jupiter after Voyager? Any current or planned missions?
Have other spacecraft gone to Saturn after Voyager? Any current or planned missions?
Which spacecraft is on its way to Saturn, and when will it get there?
Have other spacecraft gone to Uranus/Neptune after Voyager? Any current or planned missions?

Time Travel

What possibilities are scientists considering for time travel?
What problem is a major concern for scientists considering time travel?

Up to astronomy resources; Page by Luca Bombelli <bombelli"at"olemiss.edu>, Modified 30 dec 2005