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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which one of the astronauts is selected for the first Mercury flight?
(a) Gus Grissom.
(b) Wally Schirra.
(c) John Glenn.
(d) Alan Shepard.

2. 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 successfully repeat the Mercury flight.
(d) To build a space station.

3. The next manned space flight occurs in 1965 and the space program continues still today. Yet one thing was lost from the original Mercury program and still remains different today. What it is?
(a) NASA is not dedicated to the space program.
(b) Pilot training programs are no longer in demand.
(c) Astronauts are no longer seen as national heroes.
(d) Congress no longer has oversight of NASA's budget.

4. At the end of the book, what major political change occurs?
(a) Iraq acquires nuclear capabilities.
(b) The Vietnam War begins.
(c) The US and the Soviets stop competing in space.
(d) The Korean Conflict ends.

5. On the space flight, what becomes a major issue for the astronaut?
(a) Fly-by-wire operations.
(b) Loose heat shields.
(c) Low fuel levels.
(d) Too many experiments.

6. How many pilots are selected to comprise the second group of astronauts for the new moon program?
(a) 15.
(b) 4.
(c) 7.
(d) 9.

7. 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.

8. When the capsule splashes down and Shepard is detaching all of the hoses so that he can leave the capsule, what sound does he hear?
(a) The President's voice.
(b) Electrical circuits popping.
(c) Cheers over his radio.
(d) Water seeping into the capsule.

9. Based on the magazine article that is run on Glenn, Grissom, and Shepard, what do these three become known as?
(a) The First Three.
(b) The Golden Boys.
(c) The Lucky Ones.
(d) The Chosen.

10. What is the name of the first Russian cosmonaut?
(a) Alexei Leonov.
(b) Gherman Titov.
(c) Sergei Korolyov.
(d) Yuri Gagarin.

11. What does Gus want Betty to remember when she flies down to the Cape?
(a) His favorite candy--Snickers.
(b) His flight uniform.
(c) His dress whites.
(d) His laundry.

12. 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.

13. As a result of these problems, what does Cooper have to do?
(a) Manually line up the capsule for re-entry.
(b) Deploy the parachute.
(c) Remap the splash zone.
(d) Fly on battery power.

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

15. Why does Deke Slayton officially retire from the Air Force one year short of being eligible for his 20-year pension
(a) The Air Force no longer wants Slayton to work with NASA.
(b) Slayton wants to move to Alabama with his wife.
(c) The Air Force wants Slayton to train Yeager.
(d) The Air Force decides to ground Slayton permanently.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which astronaut is scheduled for the next space flight?

2. Who is James Webb?

3. How far away from the intended splash zone does the capsule land?

4. Why is Chris Kraft furious with the astronaut?

5. What is given to Shepard by President Kennedy?

(see the answer keys)

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