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Which NASA Space Shuttle carried Indian origin astronaut Sunita Williams into space on one of her missions to the International Space Station?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Discovery

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question tests general knowledge about famous astronauts and space missions. Sunita Williams is a well known Indian origin astronaut who flew on several missions to the International Space Station. Knowing the names of the Space Shuttles used in these missions is a standard general science and current affairs topic.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The object in question is a NASA Space Shuttle.
  • Sunita Williams flew to the International Space Station on Space Shuttle missions.
  • The options list Challenger, Galileo, Discovery, and Voyager 2.
  • We assume standard historical facts about NASA missions.


Concept / Approach:
NASA operated a fleet of Space Shuttles that included Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. Sunita Williams first flew to the International Space Station on mission STS 116 and later on STS 117, both using the Space Shuttle Discovery. The correct answer must therefore be one of the actual shuttle names, and specifically one that is historically associated with her mission.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Identify which of the options are real Space Shuttle orbiters. Challenger and Discovery are genuine shuttles. Galileo and Voyager 2 are names of spacecraft or probes but not shuttle orbiters. Step 2: Remember that Sunita Williams served as a flight engineer on mission STS 116 to the International Space Station, launched by Space Shuttle Discovery. Step 3: She also returned to space on another mission that again involved a shuttle, and Discovery is strongly associated with her early missions. Step 4: Challenger was an earlier shuttle that was lost in a tragic accident in 1986, long before Sunita Williams flew, so it cannot be correct in this context. Step 5: Galileo was a space probe sent to study Jupiter, not a reusable shuttle orbiter. Step 6: Voyager 2 is a deep space probe that explored the outer planets. It is completely different from the shuttle system. Step 7: The only option that is both a real shuttle and historically linked with Sunita Williams mission to the space station is Discovery.


Verification / Alternative check:
Checking basic NASA mission summaries confirms that STS 116 was conducted by Space Shuttle Discovery and that Sunita Williams joined the space station crew during this mission. This independent verification supports Discovery as the correct answer.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Challenger is wrong because it was destroyed in 1986 and did not carry Sunita Williams.
  • Galileo is wrong because it is the name of a space probe to Jupiter, not a shuttle orbiter.
  • Voyager 2 is wrong because it is a deep space probe that never carried human crew.


Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to pick any familiar space related name without checking whether it is actually a Space Shuttle that flew astronauts. Learners may remember that Challenger and Columbia had accidents and may think of those names first. To avoid confusion, it is useful to remember the complete shuttle fleet and link astronauts to specific missions whenever possible.


Final Answer:
Discovery

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