Latest MCQs on Universe for Competitive Exams

61. Which planet has the largest core relative to its size?
A) Mercury
B) Earth
C) Mars
D) Venus
Correct Answer: A) Mercury
Explanation: Mercury’s core makes up about 85% of its radius, compared to Earth’s core at about 55%.

62. What is the name of the first reusable spacecraft?
A) Apollo
B) Space Shuttle
C) Soyuz
D) Gemini
Correct Answer: B) Space Shuttle
Explanation: The Space Shuttle Columbia first launched on April 12, 1981, beginning the reusable spacecraft era.

63. Which planet has the most eccentric orbit among the gas giants?
A) Jupiter
B) Saturn
C) Uranus
D) Neptune
Correct Answer: D) Neptune
Explanation: Neptune’s orbital eccentricity of 0.009 is the highest among gas giants, though still nearly circular.

64. What is the name of the first artificial object to reach interstellar space?
A) Voyager 1
B) Pioneer 10
C) New Horizons
D) Voyager 2
Correct Answer: A) Voyager 1
Explanation: Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause into interstellar space in August 2012.

65. What is the name of the first mission to land humans on the Moon?
A) Apollo 8
B) Apollo 11
C) Apollo 13
D) Apollo 17
Correct Answer: B) Apollo 11
Explanation: Apollo 11’s lunar module Eagle landed on July 20, 1969 with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

66. What is the name of the first space station launched by humans?
A) Skylab
B) Salyut 1
C) Mir
D) ISS
Correct Answer: B) Salyut 1
Explanation: The Soviet Union launched Salyut 1 on April 19, 1971, the world’s first space station.

67. What is the name of the first probe to fly by Pluto?
A) Voyager 2
B) New Horizons
C) Pioneer 10
D) Cassini
Correct Answer: B) New Horizons
Explanation: New Horizons conducted its historic Pluto flyby on July 14, 2015.

68. What is the name of the first human-made object to land on another planet?
A) Venera 7
B) Viking 1
C) Luna 2
D) Mariner 4
Correct Answer: A) Venera 7
Explanation: The Soviet Venera 7 successfully landed on Venus on December 15, 1970.

69. What is the name of the first spacecraft to orbit another planet?
A) Mariner 9
B) Viking 1
C) Pioneer 10
D) Voyager 1
Correct Answer: A) Mariner 9
Explanation: Mariner 9 became the first spacecraft to orbit Mars on November 14, 1971.

70. What is the name of the first mission to land a rover on Mars?
A) Pathfinder
B) Viking 1
C) Opportunity
D) Spirit
Correct Answer: A) Pathfinder
Explanation: Mars Pathfinder delivered the Sojourner rover to Mars on July 4, 1997.