Michael Collins — Questions and answers

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What important job did Michael Collins have while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were going to the Moon's surface?

Choices

  1. He orbited alone in the Command Module Columbia. ✓
  2. He helped them land the Lunar Module Eagle.
  3. He talked to Earth from the Moon's surface.
  4. He was inside the Lunar Module with Buzz Aldrin.

Answer: He orbited alone in the Command Module Columbia.

From page 1

According to Arjun, what was the most critical part of Michael Collins' job for the mission's success?

Choices

  1. Keeping the spacecraft clean inside.
  2. Making sure the snacks were ready.
  3. The rendezvous, where two spacecraft had to find each other. ✓
  4. Counting the stars in space.

Answer: The rendezvous, where two spacecraft had to find each other.

From page 2

How did sailors and astronauts like Michael Collins find their way before modern GPS?

Choices

  1. By looking at maps on a screen.
  2. By watching birds fly.
  3. By observing celestial bodies like stars. ✓
  4. By following smoke signals.

Answer: By observing celestial bodies like stars.

From page 3

Why did Michael Collins practice rendezvous procedures so many times in simulators?

Choices

  1. To decide what snacks to bring to space.
  2. To learn how to play games on the computer.
  3. To be ready to rescue the Lunar Module if something went wrong. ✓
  4. To memorize the names of all the stars.

Answer: To be ready to rescue the Lunar Module if something went wrong.

From page 4

How did Michael Collins describe his feelings when he was completely cut off from Earth on the far side of the Moon?

Choices

  1. He felt very lonely and sad.
  2. He felt angry about being alone.
  3. He felt awareness and a profound understanding of humanity's place. ✓
  4. He felt bored and wished for company.

Answer: He felt awareness and a profound understanding of humanity's place.

From page 5

What made orbiting the Moon a special challenge for Michael Collins?

Choices

  1. The Moon was too shiny to see well.
  2. The Moon's gravity was always changing because of 'mascons'. ✓
  3. There were too many other spacecraft flying around.
  4. He had to dodge space aliens.

Answer: The Moon's gravity was always changing because of 'mascons'.

From page 6

Even though there were computers, what did Michael Collins also do to make sure he could navigate and calculate?

Choices

  1. He asked the computer to do everything for him.
  2. He drew pictures in his notebook.
  3. He performed manual calculations with a slide rule and paper charts. ✓
  4. He took a nap while the computer worked.

Answer: He performed manual calculations with a slide rule and paper charts.

From page 7

What was Michael Collins' big moment when the Lunar Module Eagle came back from the Moon?

Choices

  1. He had to take pictures of the Earth.
  2. He had to flawlessly execute the rendezvous and position Columbia for docking. ✓
  3. He had to sing a song for his crewmates.
  4. He had to make sure the food was warm.

Answer: He had to flawlessly execute the rendezvous and position Columbia for docking.

From page 8

What was Michael Collins' key contribution to the success of Apollo 11?

Choices

  1. He packed all the astronauts' bags.
  2. He ensured the safe return of the astronauts to Earth. ✓
  3. He chose the best songs to listen to in space.
  4. He painted the outside of the spacecraft.

Answer: He ensured the safe return of the astronauts to Earth.

From page 9

What did Michael Collins believe was key, according to the quote from Saint-Exupéry?

Choices

  1. Collecting a lot of wood.
  2. Giving many orders to people.
  3. Teaching people to yearn for adventure and exploration. ✓
  4. Building a ship all by yourself.

Answer: Teaching people to yearn for adventure and exploration.

From page 10