AST Space Exploration Test Review

Vocabulary flashcards for the AST Space Exploration Test Review

Apollo 13

A NASA mission that failed to land on the Moon but returned its crew safely—a 'successful failure.'

Artemis Program

NASA's current lunar mission series designed to test technologies for future Mars missions.

Asteroid Mining

The extraction of valuable minerals from asteroids, particularly for use in space and Earth industries.

Basaltic Plains

Lava-formed flat regions on the Moon, also known as lunar maria.

Communication

Essential link for transmitting data and instructions between spacecraft and mission control.

Curiosity Rover

A Mars rover that discovered signs of ancient habitable environments and organic molecules.

Docking

The process of joining two spacecraft in orbit.

Europa

Icy moon of Jupiter believed to harbor a subsurface ocean.

Explorer 1

The first U.S. satellite, which discovered the Van Allen radiation belts.

Flat Terrain

Ground that is even and smooth, ideal for spacecraft landings.

Gemini Program

NASA program focused on developing spaceflight techniques needed for the Moon missions.

Habitable Environment

An area that could support life, such as ancient Mars.

Hubble Space Telescope

Observes distant galaxies and nebulae in visible and ultraviolet light.

Ice Crust Collapse

A potential danger on Europa from unstable icy surface layers.

In-situ Resources

Local resources, like water ice, that can be used by astronauts on site.

James Webb Telescope

Space observatory that studies exoplanet atmospheres and supports planetary exploration.

Lunar Mare

A flat, dark region on the Moon formed by volcanic activity.

Maria

Latin term for “seas,” describing dark basaltic plains on the Moon.

Mission Safety

Consideration of hazards and risks when selecting landing or base sites.

Moon Regolith

Loose, dusty surface material covering the Moon’s solid crust.

Orbital Radiation

Harmful energy particles trapped in space around planets, such as in the Van Allen belts.

Proximity to Craters

Close location to lunar craters, often providing valuable geological data.

Radiation Belts

Zones of energetic particles around Earth discovered by Explorer 1.

Remote Lander

A robotic spacecraft designed to land and operate in distant, harsh environments.

Risk Assessment

Evaluating dangers like terrain steepness, radiation, and regolith depth.

Satellite

An object placed in orbit around a planet to collect data or enable communication.

Science vs. Accessibility

Weighing the value of a site’s data against the difficulty of reaching it.

Spectrometer

An instrument used to analyze the composition of materials from a distance.

Sputnik 1

The first human-made satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957.

Topographic Map

A map showing surface elevations and terrain features, used for site selection.

Van Allen Belts

Regions of charged particles surrounding Earth that pose radiation hazards to spacecraft.

Yuri Gagarin

First human to orbit Earth, marking a milestone in human spaceflight.