“Quest for Spock’s Origins” -NASA's Star-Trekies Quiz Each Other From Space

‘Who are Spock’s parents?,’ quizzed astronaut Clayton Anderson who is currently aboard the International Space Station, as he radioed down to Mission Control in Houston recently.

Not only is that an incredibly important question, but also this kind of lighthearted exchange between astronauts and mission control is a time-honored tradition. The purpose is to add some fun to an otherwise stressful schedule of astronauts in orbit, and the flight controllers who keep an eye on them.

In honor of all of the NASA nerds who bring us real facts about the universe, here is a short quiz to test your Star Trek Knowledge. Anderson is free to use these for future mission control quizzing, as well.

Before you start, keep in mind that you don’t have to be ashamed if you know every answer. We all loved Star Trek, whether or not we care to admit it. After all, who wouldn’t want to explore faraway, exotic planets from the comfort of their couch, while eating cheese-puffs?

Remember how great it was that most of the planets the crew visited were filled with English-speaking, air breathing, and hotter than average humanoids? Personally, I really appreciated how nearly every alien race evolved to wear snug, revealing clothing. I know Captain Kirk did. Remember all of the other exotic alien customs—like shaking hands in a slightly different way then we do on Earth? Oh, the beauty and wonder of Star Trek…

We’ll start with Anderson’s question.

1) So, who were Spock’s parents?

2) What well-known theoretical physicist played himself in a brief scene in the sixth season closer of Star Trek: The Next Generation?

3) One of the substances frequently mentioned in "Star Trek" is deuterium. Does deuterium really exist?

4) In the movie "Star Trek: Nemesis", Captain Riker mentions a song that Data was trying to whistle one day in the holodeck when they first met, but he could not remember the title of the song. What song was it?

5) In all his exploits, did Kirk ever knock a girl up?

6) Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, had a favorite character. Who was it?

ANSWERS:

1) Spock’s father is the Vulcan ambassador, Sarek. His first wife was T'Rei, a Vulcan princess, with whom he fathered a son named Sybok. After she died, he married Spock's mother, the Earth woman, Amanda Greyson.

2) Professor Stephen Hawking appeared as himself. Afterwards he was given a tour of the "TNG" soundstage. When they reached the engineering set, he looked at the warp drive and said, "I'm working on that."

3) Deuterium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, containing a neutron in the nucleus, whereas a hydrogen atom has no neutrons. It is a component of the substance known commonly as "heavy water."

4) Pop Goes the Weasel. In "Encounter at Farpoint", Riker (Jonathan Frakes) went looking for Data in the holodeck and found him trying to whistle "Pop Goes the Weasel". But Data (Brent Spiner) had a difficult time with the final bar. When Riker finished the song for him, Data said, "How easily you humans do that." On a random note, I always wanted Data to be my boyfriend. I cried when he hooked up with that hussy Tasha.

5) Yes. While investigating a planet in danger of collision with an asteroid, Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy discover both Native American inhabitants and a strange alien obelisk. While examining the obelisk, Kirk is accidentally trapped inside. Trying to escape, he inadvertently triggers a device that gives him amnesia. So, YES, Kirk suffered amnesia, married and knocked up the Native American Princess Miramanee, who conveniently died a short time later.

6) Spock, of course.

More Star Trek Quizzes & Trivia

Related Posts:

NASA's Search for the Planet Vulcan

Comments

[Rebecca]

Oops, looks like part of the answer to #5 got cut off. The short answer is: YES, Kirk suffered amnesia, married and knocked up a Native American princess, Miramanee, who conveniently died a short time later.