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Multidisciplinary
Design, Analysis, and
Optimization Branch
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EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES: THE NASA AEROQUIZ
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Week of 9/1/97:
Q:
In 1978, Apollo 13 aborted its mission to land on the moon. But even
though the crew didn't actually set foot on the moon, they still "left
their mark" on the lunar surface. How?
A:
A portion of the ship fell to the moon.
Congratulations to Matt Lacey.
Ground controllers directed 13's Saturn V third stage to crash into the
moon to test seismographic equipment left there by Apollo 12. The empty
stage and its heavy engines crashed into the moon at several thousand
miles per hour, leaving a crater estimated at two hundred feet wide.
- The Aeroquiz Editor
Week of 9/8/97:
Q:
A mechanic is working under a '69 Corvette 427 L88/ZL1 classic while lying
on a roller-creeper. The kind of car actually makes no difference in this
question; we just like '69 Corvette 427 L88/ZL1 classics. What does the
mechanic have in common with an astronaut working with tools in space?
A:
If you push too hard on your tools than you will move away from
where you're working.
Congratulations to Jeremy from 206.206.108.25.
Week of 9/15/97:
Q:
Modern high performance fighter aircraft are certainly capable of high speeds.
But on the ground, how do they stack up against a good sports car in the quarter
mile?
The instant classic '97 Corvette roars through the gates in 13.2 seconds at well
over a hundred miles per hour. How does an F-15E, weighing in at 70000 pounds
and equipped with twin turbofans making 29000 pounds of sea level thrust each,
fare against the 'vette? Get out your pink slips!
A:
Not too shabbily. I estimate the F-15 does the quarter mile in 9.9 sec.
That's assuming constant thrust, constant mass, and ignoring drag and rolling friction.
Congratulations to Bill Strack.
Well, okay, but how many cup holders does the F-15 have?
- The Aeroquiz Editor
Week of 9/22/97:
Q:
The first air combat victory for an allied jet-powered aircraft in
World War II occurred on August 4, 1944, when a British Gloster Meteor
encountered one of Germany's unpiloted V-1 buzz bombs over England.
Although Meteor pilot T.D. Dean's 20-mm cannon jammed, he was still able
to secure the victory. How?
A:
He placed his wingtip underneath the V-1's wingtip, commanded a little aileron
and caused the V-1 to roll excessively, causing its autopilot to become
uncontrolled in its flight path prior to its encounter with the ultimate
boundary condition.
Congratulations to Fred Eckert.
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