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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When the chimpanzee's rocket is launched, the rocket climbs at a slight higher angle that it is supposed to climb. What is the result?
(a) The capsule experiences more friction than expected and burns up on re-entry.
(b) The rocket self-corrects and re-establishes the proper climbing angle.
(c) The higher angles causes such an increase in g forces that the chimpanzee does not survive.
(d) The capsule splashes down 132 miles away from the intended splash area.

2. In Chapter 14, Deke Slayton is promoted within NASA. What is Deke Slayton's new title?
(a) Communications Controller.
(b) Director of Mission Control.
(c) Assistant Director of Flight Crew Operations.
(d) Deputy Chief Controller.

3. How long is the launch delayed?
(a) Seventeen hours.
(b) Twenty minutes.
(c) Four hours.
(d) Forty minutes.

4. When communicating with mission control, what does Glenn refer to his capsule as?
(a) Test Flight 84.
(b) Mercury 3.
(c) Atlas 1.
(d) Friendship 7.

5. When the men return from their trip to the White House, what question is on the mind of each of their wives?
(a) Is President Kennedy as dreamy as he looks on television?
(b) What did the White House serve for dinner?
(c) What is Jackie like?
(d) How is the White House decorated?

6. How does Slayton refer to NASA's decision in statements to the press?
(a) As a huge mistake.
(b) As the right thing to do.
(c) As an understandable decision.
(d) As an operational decision.

7. After the Russian flight, NASA scrubbed the remainder of the planned Mercury flights using Redstone rockets. What is the next flight to attempt?
(a) A moon landing.
(b) Dropping bombs from space.
(c) Orbital flight.
(d) A rocket launch with a plane landing.

8. What political action occurs between the Soviet's launch of their cosmonaut and the scheduled launch of Shepard?
(a) The X-16 disaster.
(b) The Bay of Pigs.
(c) The dismantling of Project Mercury.
(d) The assassination of President Kennedy.

9. John Glenn's flight and his taking on "the mighty Soviet Integral" causes comparisons with what Biblical story?
(a) Sodom and Gomorrah.
(b) David and Goliath.
(c) Cain and Abel.
(d) Samson and Delilah.

10. As he sits in the capsule waiting to be launched into space, what is Shepard most afraid of?
(a) Urinating in his pressurized suit.
(b) Blowing up on the launch pad.
(c) Being crushed by the g forces.
(d) Screwing something up.

11. Which astronaut takes Slayton's place for the next flight?
(a) Alan Shepard.
(b) Scott Carpenter.
(c) Wally Schirra.
(d) Gordon Cooper.

12. During the launch itself, how much fuel is being consumed by the rockets each second?
(a) 1 ton.
(b) 1000 pounds.
(c) 56,000 gallons.
(d) 2 1/2 tons.

13. The launch was originally scheduled for May 2nd, but has to be delayed. What delays the launch?
(a) Fuel problems.
(b) Weather problems.
(c) Communication problems.
(d) Rocket problems.

14. What is the concern that controllers have when preparing to bring Glenn back in through the atmosphere?
(a) That the capsule will overshoot the planned splash zone.
(b) That the parachute will not deploy.
(c) That the heat shields are loose.
(d) That the blood pressure monitor is malfunctioning.

15. What is given to Shepard by President Kennedy?
(a) The Medal of Honor.
(b) The Purple Heart.
(c) The Distinguished Service Medal.
(d) The Ace Award.

Short Answer Questions

1. What kind of rocket launches the first Mercury capsule?

2. Who does Annie Glenn refuse to let into her house because the press storm around the launch is so excruciating to her?

3. When accompanying Glenn on his travels, what does Pete Conrad find himself doing?

4. What is the name of the first Russian cosmonaut?

5. Why is Deke Slayton grounded?

(see the answer keys)

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