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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Who does NASA hire to be the astronauts' press representative?
2. Scott Carpenter is the only astronaut who has a touch of what in him?
3. Which astronaut is known as the Icy Commander?
4. Which of the astronauts commands the least star power?
5. What is the nickname given to Project Mercury by the top pilots at the base?
Short Essay Questions
1. NASA originally needs six astronauts for the Mercury program, but is going to take twelve astronauts. Why?
2. Why do the pilots come to hate Lovelace?
3. In detailing the experiences of the astronauts, the author states that "everywhere they went in their travels people stopped what they were doing and gave them a certain look of awe and sympathy." Awe is easily understood. Why do they look at them with sympathy?
4. According to the author, why does every pilot sound the same and talk with a lilting, vaguely Southern-sounding drawl?
5. Why don't the wives ever discuss the dangers their husbands face each day?
6. Name two reasons that fighter pilots hate to declare an emergency.
7. Why does Gus Grissom feel that the reporter's question regarding whether or not the pilots feel they would come back from space is a stupid question?
8. The training program for the chimpanzees is based on operant conditioning. Describe what that means for the chimpanzees.
9. Contrast flight training with astronaut training.
10. Why do so many fighter pilots accept the Mercury mission?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
At various times during the lifespan of Project Mercury, there are opposing interests as to the policies and priorities of NASA and the astronauts. Describe the struggle for leadership between the following men.
a. John Kennedy and James Webb?
b. John Glenn and John Kennedy?
c. James Webb and John Glenn?
Essay Topic 2
When Project Mercury first began, the pilots were flying to Cape Canaveral for their training sessions. Later, as Project Mercury outgrew Cape Canaveral, the program was moved to Houston. Compare and contrast the astronauts' lifestyles in Cape Canaveral and Houston.
Essay Topic 3
The Original Seven astronauts underwent medical and psychological testing as part of their selection process.
a. Describe the three tests conducted on the astronauts at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. What information were the psychologists trying to gain from these tests?
b. Why did Pete Conrad rebel as a result of all of the tests? Give one example of his rebellious streak from the Lovelace tests. Give one example of his rebellious streak from the Wright-Patterson tests.
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This section contains 822 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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