Navigation systems (GPS, inertial navigation) MCQs – Aerospace

1. What is the primary function of a GPS system in aerospace navigation?
(A) To provide precise location and velocity information based on satellite signals
(B) To manage spacecraft propulsion systems
(C) To regulate spacecraft thermal conditions
(D) To control spacecraft attitude

2. Which navigation system relies on measuring the position of a spacecraft using accelerometers and gyroscopes?
(A) Inertial Navigation System (INS)
(B) Global Positioning System (GPS)
(C) Radio Navigation System
(D) Star Tracker System

3. What is the main advantage of using GPS for spacecraft navigation?
(A) High accuracy and global coverage
(B) High power consumption
(C) Complexity in integration
(D) Limited to specific regions

4. Which component of the INS measures changes in velocity to calculate position?
(A) Accelerometer
(B) Gyroscope
(C) Magnetometer
(D) Altimeter

5. What is the main disadvantage of relying solely on INS for navigation?
(A) Accumulation of errors over time
(B) High power consumption
(C) Limited accuracy
(D) Lack of real-time data

6. Which type of GPS signal is used for determining the exact location of a spacecraft?
(A) L1 Signal
(B) L2 Signal
(C) L5 Signal
(D) L4 Signal

7. What is the primary purpose of a star tracker in spacecraft navigation?
(A) To provide precise orientation information by observing celestial bodies
(B) To measure changes in velocity
(C) To calculate position based on satellite signals
(D) To manage spacecraft thermal conditions

8. What system combines GPS and INS data to improve navigation accuracy?
(A) Integrated Navigation System
(B) Star Tracker System
(C) Radio Navigation System
(D) Altimeter System

9. What type of navigation system is used to measure the relative position of a spacecraft to another spacecraft?
(A) Relative Navigation System
(B) Global Positioning System (GPS)
(C) Inertial Navigation System (INS)
(D) Star Tracker System

10. Which component of the GPS system provides timing and positioning information to users?
(A) Satellites
(B) Ground Stations
(C) User Receivers
(D) Control Centers

11. What is the primary advantage of using INS in combination with GPS for spacecraft navigation?
(A) Reduces the accumulation of navigation errors over time
(B) Increases power consumption
(C) Limits navigation accuracy
(D) Requires frequent recalibration

12. Which type of navigation system is based on measuring the time it takes for radio signals to travel between a spacecraft and ground stations?
(A) Radio Navigation System
(B) Global Positioning System (GPS)
(C) Inertial Navigation System (INS)
(D) Star Tracker System

13. What is the main disadvantage of using GPS alone for spacecraft navigation?
(A) Signal loss in deep space or obstructed environments
(B) High cost
(C) High power consumption
(D) Complexity in integration

14. Which type of sensor is commonly used in INS to measure the rate of rotation?
(A) Gyroscope
(B) Accelerometer
(C) Magnetometer
(D) Altimeter

15. What is the primary purpose of a magnetometer in spacecraft navigation systems?
(A) To measure the strength and direction of the magnetic field for orientation
(B) To calculate position based on satellite signals
(C) To measure changes in velocity
(D) To observe celestial bodies

16. What is the key feature of a Kalman filter in integrated navigation systems?
(A) To estimate and correct errors based on sensor data
(B) To provide timing information
(C) To measure changes in velocity
(D) To track celestial bodies

17. Which type of navigation system uses radio waves to determine the distance between a spacecraft and ground stations?
(A) Radio Navigation System
(B) GPS
(C) Inertial Navigation System (INS)
(D) Star Tracker System

18. What is the main advantage of using a star tracker in spacecraft navigation?
(A) Provides highly accurate attitude determination
(B) Increases power consumption
(C) Reduces global coverage
(D) Limits the navigation accuracy

19. Which navigation system is primarily used for deep-space missions where GPS signals are not available?
(A) Inertial Navigation System (INS)
(B) GPS
(C) Radio Navigation System
(D) Star Tracker System

20. What is the primary disadvantage of using INS alone for long-duration missions?
(A) Error accumulation over time
(B) High power consumption
(C) Limited accuracy
(D) High cost