National Astronaut Day Trivia Quiz

The word "astronaut" is derived from the Latin words "astrum" meaning "star" and "nauta" meaning "sailor". Therefore, the correct answer "star sailor" accurately reflects the literal meaning of the term "astronaut" in Latin.

Astronauts fielded by Russia are typically known as cosmonauts. The term "cosmonaut" is specifically used to refer to Russian astronauts, similar to how "astronaut" is used for American astronauts. This term originated during the Soviet era and is still used today to describe Russian space travelers.

Neil Armstrong landed on the moon during the Apollo 11 spaceflight. This mission was the first to successfully land humans on the moon, with Armstrong becoming the first person to set foot on its surface. Apollo 13, Apollo 12, and Apollo 1 were all different missions, but only Apollo 11 achieved the historic moon landing.

National Astronaut Day commemorates the first United States human spaceflight. This event is celebrated to honor and recognize the achievements of American astronauts who have ventured into space. The first human spaceflight by an American astronaut was a significant milestone in space exploration history and paved the way for future missions and advancements in space technology.

The statement is true because the astronauts of Apollo 13 did not land on the moon. Due to an oxygen tank explosion, the mission had to be aborted and the spacecraft had to return to Earth without completing the planned moon landing. This incident is famously known as the "successful failure" because despite not achieving the intended objective, the crew and mission control were able to safely bring the astronauts back home.

Sally Ride was the first American woman to travel into space. She made history in 1983 when she became part of the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Ride's achievement paved the way for more women to pursue careers in space exploration. She went on to have a successful career as an astronaut and later became a professor of physics.

John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth. He achieved this feat on February 20, 1962, when he piloted the Friendship 7 spacecraft as part of NASA's Mercury-Atlas 6 mission. Glenn's successful orbit around the Earth lasted for nearly five hours, making him an iconic figure in the early days of space exploration. His mission played a crucial role in advancing the United States' space program and paving the way for future space missions.

National Astronaut Day is observed every year on 5th May. This day is dedicated to honoring and celebrating the achievements of astronauts and their contributions to space exploration. It is a day to recognize their bravery, dedication, and the advancements they have made in the field of space science. By observing National Astronaut Day on 5th May, we can pay tribute to these extraordinary individuals who have ventured beyond the Earth's atmosphere to expand our knowledge of the universe.

Alan Shepard was the first American to travel into space. This means that he was the first person from the United States to venture into space. While he was not the first person overall to travel into space (that distinction goes to Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet astronaut), Shepard's achievement was significant for the United States in the Space Race against the Soviet Union.

National Astronaut Day was first held in 2017.