Space Week Quiz: 3, 2, 1 – BLAST OFF! – by Naming The Astronaut
Written by Jessica Holom
Last updated · 7 min play time
From Buzz Aldrin to Sally Ride, what famous astronauts do you remember? Mine your memory with this Astronaut Quiz!
“I really believe that if the political leaders of the world could see their planet from a distance of, let’s say 100,000 miles, their outlook would be fundamentally changed. The all-important border would be invisible, that noisy argument suddenly silenced.” – Michael Collins
Astronauts saw our world from a whole new perspective...literally. It likely changed their outlooks on not only the science of our stars but on life. From Buzz Aldrin to Sally Ride, our astronauts are worthy of so much praise for stepping out into the next great frontier. They didn't really know what they were in for...and yet, they took that "one small step" in order to drive the "giant leap for mankind".
What do you know about the astronauts who paved the way for space exploration? Take our Astronauts Quiz and name as many as you can muster.
Test your Science Knowledge
“I made the remark when we went over the top, ‘Eureka, Houston, the Earth is really round,’ and when I got back to Houston, I got all this mail from members of the Flat Earth Society telling me I didn’t know what I was talking about.” – Pete Conrad
Eureka! If you're taking this Astronauts Quiz, we'd wager you're not a flat-earther. Along with all the astronauts who viewed Earth from space, you probably believe the Earth – and all the solar system's other planets – are round. But what do you know about the people who gave us proof?
Do you know which cosmonaut first successfully made it to outer space and back? Which astronaut hit a golf ball on the moon? Which left his daughter's initials on the lunar surface? Do you know which astronaut was the first female commander of a NASA mission? Show off your space knowledge or expand it with our Astronaut Quiz.
Are you more of a Eugene Cernan or a Valentina Tereshkova? Our Astronauts Quiz will give you an inkling.
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Our science collection of quizzes examines everything from the Human Mind to Humans in general. If your brain is inclined toward science, we have the knowledge bank for you in our series of quizzes. Science trivia just got a whole lot more explosive!
Quiz written by
Jessica HolomJessica Holom is a freelance writer and digital nomad with a background in literature, art, and writing. She believes curiosity never killed a single cat and enjoys learning, world-exploring, and writing about both.
Astronaut Quiz Questions
25 Questions · 89 Plays · No comments
Question 1
"One small step for man..." He may have misspoken, but he was still the first man on the Moon. Name that moonwalker.
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ANeil Armstrong
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BBrad Pitt
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CScott Kelly
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DRobert D. Cabana
Neil Armstrong
Neil Armstrong was supposed to say, "One small step for <i>a</i> man, one giant leap for mankind," as "man" without the article does mean "mankind". Then again, we may have misheard here on Earth, as Armstrong later insisted he did say "a man". Whether he flubbed his iconic line or not, he certainly did not flub his great step forward, becoming the first man to walk on the Moon.
Question 2
From space to the senate, which first American to orbit the Earth later served as the U.S. senator from Ohio?
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ASally Ride
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BAnatoly Artsebarsky
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CLeonardo DiCaprio
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DJohn Glenn Jr.
John Glenn Jr.
John Glenn was a man of many aspirations and talents. Not only was he the first American to orbit the Earth, but he also became the oldest astronaut to enter space on the Discovery mission at age 77. Oh, yeah – and in between, he served as the U.S. Senator from Ohio from 1974 to 1999.
Question 3
He was the first man in space and became an international celebrity. Name that Soviet canary in the mine shaft.
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AJames Lovell Jr.
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BYuri Gagarin
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CScott Carpenter
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DMargot Robbie
Yuri Gagarin
Yuri Gagarin must have been thrilled when his feet were back on solid ground. As the first man in space, Gagarin was the first to reach for the stars. While he lived to see his glory, the national hero and member of the elite Sochi Six tragically died in 1968 in a routine training exercise.
Question 4
"Fore!" Which first American in space is famous for hitting a golf ball on the Moon?
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AAlan Shepard
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BRobert Downey Jr.
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CGuion Bluford
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DJudith Resnik
Alan Shepard
Alan Shepard was a member of the Mercury Seven – NASA's first seven pilots sent into space. In fact, he was the first American in space (following Yuri by a mere three weeks) and later even visited the Moon to play a round of golf.
Question 5
It took until 1992, but this astronaut finally broke the glass ceiling, becoming the first female African American in space.
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ASally Ride
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BStephanie Wilson
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COprah Winfrey
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DMae Jemison
Mae Jemison
Mae Jemison has an incredible resume. After serving as a doctor in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and Liberia, Jemison set her sights on the sky. Aboard the space shuttle Endeavor, she became the first Black woman in space in 1992 and even went on to start her own tech research company. Oh – and she starred in a <i>Star Trek</i> episode.
Question 6
Commanding the Gemini II that circled the Earth three times, which astronaut died in a fire while preparing for the first Apollo mission?
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AChristian Bale
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BMae Jemison
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CGus Grissom
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DMichael J. Bloomfield
Gus Grissom
After Alan, Gus Grissom became the second American in space on the Liberty Bell 7. During a pre-flight test for Apollo 1, Gus was killed, alongside colleagues Ed White and Roger Chaffee, in the Apollo 1 command module when an electrical fire erupted.
Question 7
Flying aboard the Apollo 17 mission, which astronaut became the first member of NASA's scientist-astronaut group to enter space?
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APeggy Whitson
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BRalph Fiennes
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CHarrison Hagan "Jack" Schmitt
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DKayla Barron
Harrison Hagan "Jack" Schmitt
In 1972, the Apollo 17 mission was the first to send a scientist-astronaut to space, and that lucky man was Harrison Hagan "Jack" Schmitt. As this was the last of the Apollo missions, Schmitt is the last person still alive to have walked on the Moon (Eugene Cernan was last, but he passed away).
Question 8
At nearly two years, what astronaut holds the record for most cumulative time spent in space?
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ANeil Armstrong
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BPeggy Whitson
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CKarol Bobko
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DMark Ruffalo
Peggy Whitson
The ISS became Peggy Whitson's second home. In 2017, she broke the record for most cumulative days in space. How long, exactly? 665 days over two long tours on the ISS and three long flights. Wowsa.
Question 9
The first American woman in space was also the first to operate a robot arm. Name that pioneering astronaut.
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AEileen Collins
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BSusan B. Anthony
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CJessica Meir
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DSally Ride
Sally Ride
After Russia had already sent two female astronauts into space, the U.S. finally got its head in the game. Sally Ride became the first female American in space in 1983 on the STS-7 mission's Challenger space shuttle. She also used the robot arm known as the Canadarm aboard the flight.
Question 10
Technically the first astronaut, what's the name of the chimpanzee who first ventured into space?
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ABanana
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BPotato
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CHam
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DLiam Neeson
Ham
Little Ham became the first hominid in space way back in 1961. As an acronym for Holloman Aerospace Medical Center, Ham was trained to perform basic tasks aboard the 16-minute flight.
Question 11
What first Jewish woman in space died aboard the space shuttle Challenger?
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AValentina Tereshkova
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BShannon Lucid
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CJudith Resnik
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DPeggy Whitson
Judith Resnik
As the first Jewish woman in space (and the second American woman and fourth woman altogether), Judith Arlene Resnik was sadly one of the seven astronauts who died aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger during its launch. Prior to her tragic death, she logged 145 hours total in orbit. Of the more than 550 travelers to space, only around 60 have been women.
Question 12
The second person to set foot on the Moon, Edwin Eugene is better known by another name. What is it?
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ABuzz Aldrin
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BEugene Cernan
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CGary Oldman
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DJay C. Buckey
Buzz Aldrin
While he may have been beaten out by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin became the second man on the Moon. Originally named Edwin, "Buzz" became a nickname after his sister pronounced "brother" as "buzzer".
Question 13
Count 'em up. Who holds the record for most consecutive days in space?
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AScott Kelly
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BJude Law
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CStory Musgrave
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DJohn-David F. Bartoe
Scott Kelly
Think you could go nearly a year living in space? Scott Kelly did, when he joined Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko aboard the International Space Station. At 342 days, he set the American record for most consecutive days in space.
Question 14
Who piloted Apollo 8, the first spacecraft to enter lunar orbit?
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AJames Lovell Jr.
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BMark Brown
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CMichael Caine
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DBill Shepherd
James Lovell Jr.
As the pilot of the Apollo 8 command module, James Lovell Jr. became the first to enter the Moon's orbit. He's also famous for his part as commander of the Apollo 13 mission. He brought the spacecraft and crew safely back to Earth after it suffered a critical failure en route to the Moon.
Question 15
"We want to explore; we're curious people." Who was the first female commander of a space shuttle?
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AEileen Collins
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BAnne McClain
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CKathryn Sullivan
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DShirley Temple
Eileen Collins
A woman led the way after the Challenger disaster. Eileen Marie Collins became the first female pilot and first commander of a space shuttle on the STS-114. This was her last mission, and it was a success.
Question 16
What third man on the Moon went on to command the Apollo 12 and Skylab II missions?
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AJohn Glenn Jr.
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BPete Conrad
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CEdward Norton
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DDominic A. Antonelli
Pete Conrad
"Wait up, guys!" Although he was only the third man to walk on the Moon, Pete Conrad later piloted and co-piloted a number of other missions, including these two important ones.
Question 17
What three astronauts were the first crew aboard the International Space Station?
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AMichael Baker, Bill Shepherd, and Yuri Gidzenko
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BBill Shepherd, Yuri Gidzenko, and Sergei Krikalev
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CYuri Gidzenko, Sergei Krikalev, and Kalpana Chawla
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DLarry, Curly, and Moe
Bill Shepherd, Yuri Gidzenko, and Sergei Krikalev
The International Space Station brought the Russians and the Americans together. Staying with two cosmonauts, Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko, American Bill Shepherd completed the first crew on board the ISS. The three comrades stayed at the station for several months.
Question 18
Orbiting Earth a whopping 48 times, who was the first woman in space?
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AMorgan Freeman
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BEileen Collins
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CSvetlana Kournikova
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DValentina Tereshkova
Valentina Tereshkova
The first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, slaughtered the glass ceiling by orbiting Earth 48 times over three days. She captured photos, kept a flight log, and parachuted back to Earth, where she could celebrate making history.
Question 19
At the ripe old age of 36, who was the youngest person to set foot on the Moon?
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AGus Grissom
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BSamuel L. Jackson
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CViktor M. Afanasyev
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DCharlie Duke
Charlie Duke
Yet another moonwalker, Charles Moss Duke Jr. was only 36 when he became the tenth person to walk on the Moon, and he remains the youngest. He served as CAPCOM (capsule communicator) for the mission.
Question 20
What national hero was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space?
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AKalpana Chawla
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BKathleen Rubins
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CSunita Williams
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DPriyanka Chopra
Kalpana Chawla
An American astronaut of Indian origin, Kalpana Chawla became a national hero when she was launched on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997. Unfortunately, Chawla died six years later during another mission on the Columbia during its disastrous re-entry.
Question 21
The letters, "TDC," will be there forever. What astronaut wrote his daughter's initials on the surface of the Moon?
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AEugene Cernan
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BCillian Murphy
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CJoseph M. Acaba
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DPete Conrad
Eugene Cernan
Although Armstrong was the first, Eugene Cernan was the last man to walk on the Moon. Upon leaving, he said, "We leave as we came, and, God willing, we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind." Although they haven't yet returned, Cernan did leave his mark in the moondust: "TDC," his daughter's initials, which will remain for hundreds of millions of years.
Question 22
Flying on four different space missions, who was the first African American in space?
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AClayton Anderson
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BAlan Shepard
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CTom Hanks
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DGuion Bluford
Guion Bluford
As the first African American in space, Guion Bluford must have made his mark as a mission specialist on the Challenger, as he flew on three additional space shuttle missions. He also served in the Vietnam war, where he flew 144 missions as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force.
Question 23
As the pilot of Skylab 4, the then-longest crewed flight, which astronaut was part of what became known as the Skylab Mutiny with ground control?
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AJim Lovell
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BWilliam Reid Pogue
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CAleksandr Balandin
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DJack Nicholson
William Reid Pogue
"Ground control to Major Tom..." William Reid Pogue and his crew had an issue with ground control aboard Skylab 4. Deemed "The Skylab Mutiny" by the press, the conflict wasn't nearly as dramatic as the name would suggest; it was only a schedule management issue.
Question 24
Who is the only astronaut to fly aboard all five space shuttles?
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ASally Ride
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BCharles Camarda
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CStory Musgrave
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DBuzz Aldrin
Story Musgrave
True story. Franklin Story Musgrave, M.D., holds six academic degrees, was the consultant for Disney's Imagineering group, and flew on all five Space Shuttles – the only astronaut to do so. When you wish upon a star...
Question 25
Which two astronauts are tied for the most spaceflights by NASA?
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AGuion Bluford and Stephen G. Bowen
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BStephen G. Bowen and Jerry Ross
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CTom Cruise and Brad Pitt
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DFranklin Chang-Diaz and Jerry Ross
Franklin Chang-Diaz and Jerry Ross
At seven times each, Jerry Rose and Franklin Chang-Diaz share the record for most NASA spaceflights. They've both been astronaut-ing since the '80s.
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