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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 13, "The Operational Stuff".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the one sound that test pilots' wives are most afraid of?
(a) The door bell.
(b) The church bells.
(c) The telephone.
(d) The sound of a plane's engine.

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

3. What do the pilots at Edwards finally expect the public to realize based on the chimpanzee's successful flight?
(a) That the ape is being considered for a medal of courage.
(b) That the dream of space travel is finally a reality.
(c) That only a real, trained pilot is capable of flying the Mercury capsule.
(d) That any trained animal can pilot the capsule and that the pilots at Edwards are the real pilots.

4. What is Gus Grissom awarded for his actions during combat in Korea?
(a) The Superior Aviator Award.
(b) The Ace Award.
(c) The Purple Heart.
(d) The Distinguished Flying Cross.

5. What does Kennedy insist on as NASA's next focus?
(a) To build the space shuttle.
(b) To land a man on the moon.
(c) To build a space station.
(d) To successfully repeat the Mercury flight.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the astronauts commands the least star power?

2. On John Glenn's 40th birthday, who comes to Glenn's birthday dinner?

3. What does the author compare the career path of a fighter pilot to?

4. What does the author liken the deck of a carrier to?

5. What is the concern that controllers have when preparing to bring Glenn back in through the atmosphere?

(see the answer key)

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