Lost on the Moon Test

[lawrocket 3]

I didn't do too well on this test because I overthought some things. But I thought I'd see what y'all thought.

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Your spaceship has just crashed on the moon. You were scheduled to rendezvous with a mother ship 200 miles away on the lighted surface of the moon, but the rough landing has ruined your ship and destroyed all the equipment on board except for the 15 items listed below.

Your crew's survival depends on reaching the mother ship, so you must choose the most critical items available for the 200-mile trip.

Your task is to rank the 15 items in terms of their importance for survival. Place a number 1 by the most important item, number 2 by the second most important, and so on, through number 15, the least important. Explain your reasons for ranking as you did.

___ Box of matches

___ Food concentrate

___ 50 feet of nylon rope

___ Parachute silk

___ Solar-powered portable heating unit

___ Two .45­caliber pistols

___ One case of dehydrated milk

___ Two 100-pound tanks of oxygen

___ Stellar map (of the moon's constellations)

___ Self-inflating life raft

___ Magnetic compass

___ 5 gallons of water

___ Signal flares

___ First-aid kit containing injection needles

___ Solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Lindercles 0]

Ok, I'll bite, but how is the test scored?

15 Box of matches (no oxygen on the moon)

6 Food concentrate (important, but less important than water)

7 50 feet of nylon rope (can be used for any number of things)

8 Parachute silk (shelter?)

10 Solar-powered portable heating unit (useless on the dark side of the moon)

13 Two .45­caliber pistols (to shoot what?)

11 One case of dehydrated milk (not much more useful than plain water)

2 Two 100-pound tanks of oxygen (needed to survive, and is that 100 earth pounds?)

3 Stellar map (of the moon's constellations) (navigation)

9 Self-inflating life raft (no water on the moon, may be used for shelter)

12 Magnetic compass (no magetic field on the moon, useless)

1 5 gallons of water (necessary to survive)

14 Signal flares (no oxygen on the moon, won't burn)

4 First-aid kit containing injection needles (not sure what kind of needles or what else is in the kit, but maybe be useful)

5 Solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter (only useful on the light side, but can be used to contact mother ship)

Edited to add reasons.

[lawrocket 3]

My responses - I am no scientist, so I'm probably wrong.

11T - Box of matches (how useless is that? No oxygen on moon)

6 - Food concentrate (eating is nice)

7 - 50 feet of nylon rope (I reckon I could use it for many purposes)

8 - Parachute silk. Could probably be used for shade or for a big target so I could be seen by rescuers.

11T - Solar-powered portable heating unit (what good would that do? No air)

11(T) - Two .45­caliber pistols (How useless is that? It can't fire without oxygen, right?)

10 - One case of dehydrated milk (tastes like crap but could be useful if I run out of food)

1 - Two 100-pound tanks of oxygen (breathing rocks)

4 - Stellar map (of the moon's constellations) (it's nice to know how to get around)

5 - Self-inflating life raft (I think this would be good for lots of things. Protection. Hauls supplies. Even spare air if you can tap it)

11T - Magnetic compass (Does the moon have magnetic poles?)

2 - 5 gallons of water (hydration rocks, too)

11T - Signal flares (for same reason as matches and gun - how will it burn?)

9 - First-aid kit containing injection needles (wouldn't a needle just make death more quick if the space suit is breached? This may be useful.)

3 - Solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter (After food and water, "Get me the hell outta here" would be next, though they'd likely work as well as army radios. Oh, and I'd hope I'm on the lighter side of the moon)

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[lawrocket 3]

Quote

how is the test scored?

I dunno if there are right or wrong answers. I'll google it.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[McBeth 0]

Here are the answers
.
I did fair.

[guppie01 0]

_15__ Box of matches - doesn't work on the moon

_5__ Food concentrate

_2__ 50 feet of nylon rope (tie to parachute silk to carry load)

_3__ Parachute silk (carry items)

_8__ Solar-powered portable heating unit

_14__ Two .45­caliber pistols (doesn't work on the moon)

_10__ One case of dehydrated milk (don't need if you have water)

_1__ Two 100-pound tanks of oxygen (must be able to breathe)

_9__ Stellar map (of the moon's constellations)

_11__ Self-inflating life raft

_12__ Magnetic compass (no use)

_4__ 5 gallons of water (must be able to hydrate)

_7__ Signal flares (signal when near)

_13__ First-aid kit containing injection needles

_6__ Solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter (communicate with other ship when near)

how do we know how well we did???

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[DJL 235]

Man, this was on Survivorman just last night.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[wildblue 7]

Is this a trick question?

15 Box of matches - will burn with what oxygen?

15 Food concentrate - just pop open your spacesuit and eat?

15 50 feet of nylon rope - would probably melt

15 Parachute silk - same as above (maybe)

15 Solar-powered portable heating unit - why? it's already 107C in the sun!

15 Two .45­caliber pistols - interesting, don't think they'd work either.

15 One case of dehydrated milk - mix it with what?!

1 Two 100-pound tanks of oxygen - this I would assume is important

2 Stellar map (of the moon's constellations) - as is this

5 Self-inflating life raft - shelter maybe?

15 Magnetic compass - ??? moon has no magnetic field

15 gallons of water - would either be frozen solid or boiling

4 Signal flares - assuming they'd work, ok.

15 First-aid kit containing injection needles - poke a hole in your suit?

3 Solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter


pretty much, I think you'd be screwed.

it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

[Duckwater 0]

All of it is completely useless. Wait where you are for the mothership to come rescue you.

___ Box of matches (no oxygen - useless)

___ Food concentrate (you can go for days without food)

___ 50 feet of nylon rope (you could try hanging yourself but with minimal gravity it prob wouldnt work)

___ Parachute silk (no air - useless)

___ Solar-powered portable heating unit (??)

___ Two .45­caliber pistols (I think they would fire with no air??)

___ One case of dehydrated milk (no water)

___ Two 100-pound tanks of oxygen (use these to wait for mother ship - too heavy to carry)

___ Stellar map (of the moon's constellations) (does the moon have constellations????)

___ Self-inflating life raft (sit in it and pretend you are on a raft-skydive while you wait)

___ Magnetic compass (does the moon have poles?)

___ 5 gallons of water (will be 5 gals of ice)

___ Signal flares (shoot while sitting in raft)

___ First-aid kit containing injection needles (does it have heroin too?)

___ Solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter (can you get XM radio on the moon?)

[lawrocket 3]

Quote

Here are the answers
.
I did fair.

Thanks. I guess I did okay. I ranked the raft too highly, I guess.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Lindercles 0]

I had a difference of 20, which according to their scoring is "excellent."

[SkydiveStMarys 0]

What the hell is 11T??

There are no "ties" on this test.

Sheeeesh, Lawyers!!







Bobbi

A miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude.

[FreeflyChile 0]

How about just "McGyver-ing" the parachute silk and nylon to make a sail, then using the oxygen tanks to propel yourself across the lunar surface?

aside from the air, i'd imagine the food and water would be useless because since you're in a space suit, how do you eat and drink?

or if you need line of sight for the radio to work, just use the parachute and oxygen to go straight up until you see the ship and then call them, then use the remaining oxygen to slow your descent.

[Lindercles 0]

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How about just "McGyver-ing" the parachute silk and nylon to make a sail, then using the oxygen tanks to propel yourself across the lunar surface?

Because if you tried that you'd either go nowhere at all, or in the wrong direction. You'd be better off just pointing the tanks in the opposite direction and turning them on.

[Nightingale 0]

15___ Box of matches (no air, can't burn)

3___ Food concentrate (eating is important)

7___ 50 feet of nylon rope (tons of stuff you can use rope for)

9___ Parachute silk (shelter?)

12___ Solar-powered portable heating unit (might need this on dark side of moon... depending on which side you're on you're either going to need shelter or heat, I guess EDIT: wait a sec... SOLAR power... won't work on dark side of moon.)

11___ Two .45­caliber pistols (who are you going to shoot? martians?)

13___ One case of dehydrated milk (already carrying food and water... you'll run out of air before you need this)

1___ Two 100-pound tanks of oxygen (breathing= very important)

4___ Stellar map (of the moon's constellations) (how else are you going to find the ship?)

10___ Self-inflating life raft (will this even work with no air? is it using compressed air? if so, that might be useful)

14___ Magnetic compass (don't think those work on the moon?)

2___ 5 gallons of water (if you pass out from dehydration before you get to where you're going, that'd suck)

8___ Signal flares (signaling your location is good, assuming these work on the moon)

6___ First-aid kit containing injection needles (provided there is a way to make these work with space suits?)

5___ Solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter (talking to the ship is important)

[Duckwater 0]

NASA didnt make this test.....Some of these 'correct' answers dont make sense...

Box of matches No oxygen to sustain flame, virtually worthless 15 correct

Food concentrate Efficient means of supplying energy requirements 4 OK

Fifty feet of nylon rope Useful in scaling cliffs, tying injured together 6 there are no 'cliffs' on the moon....and, why do you want to tie your injured together?? Stupid

Parachute silk Protection from sun's rays 8 silk offers almost NO UV protection

Solar-powered portable heating unit Not needed unless on dark side 13 The temperature on the Moon reaches 243° F
at midday on the lunar equator.
During the night,
the temperature falls to -261° F.

Two .45 caliber pistols Possible means of self-propulsion 11 WHAT???

One case of Pet milk Bulkier duplication of food concentrate 12 ok

Two 100-pound tanks of oxygen Most pressing survival need 1 fine but how are you supposed to travel with these while carring the hog tied injured?


Stellar map (of the moon's constellations) Primary means of navigation 3 a constellation is a group of stars.....I doubt anyone has developed how to navigate on the moon using celestial navigation

Self-inflating life raft CO2 bottle in military raft may be used for propulsion 9 again...WTF? do you stick the bottle in your ass and Wylie Cyote across the moon?

Magnetic compass Magnetic field on moon is not polarized; worthless for
navigation 14 right

5 gallons of water Replacement for tremendous liquid loss on lighted side 2 where does all the liquid go?

Signal flares Distress signal when mother ship is sighted 10 what good is this? If they can come get you, wait where you crashed...if they cant, just go knock on the door...why signal them from a mile away?

First-aid kit injection needles Needles for vitamins, medicines, etc., will fit special aperture in NASA space suits 7 taking your Centrium Complete is the least of your worries

Solar-powered FM
receiver-transmitter For communication with mother ship; but FM requires
line-of-sight transmission and short ranges 5 right

[billvon 3,109]

1. Two 100-pound tanks of oxygen (good for 2 people for about 6 days)
2. 5 gallons of water
3. Food concentrate
4. One case of dehydrated milk
5. Self-inflating life raft (dust is a big problem on the moon; gas source can clean helmet faceplates without using O2)
6. Parachute silk (sunshade; daytime on the moon has an incoming radiant flux of 1300 w/m^2)
7. Solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter
8. Stellar map (hard to see stars during the day, but if you get into a shady canyon you might be able to see em)
9. 50 feet of nylon rope (you always need rope)
10. First-aid kit containing injection needles (can't use the needles, but if you can get water into the suit you can probably get stimulants in too)

Not needed:
Solar-powered portable heating unit (will be plenty hot)
Two .45­caliber pistols (no threats)
Magnetic compass (no magnetic field; plus you can see the sun and (usually) earth, which are great navigation aids)
Signal flares (useless during the day, even if they contain oxidizer)
Matches

[nanook 1]

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Solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter

Is there enough atmosphere ,if any, on the moon to use any type of FM style radio?

Can you shoot a gun in space?

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[billvon 3,109]

>there are no 'cliffs' on the moon....

Sure there are. Lots of craters have steep, terraced walls.

>Parachute silk Protection from sun's rays 8 silk offers almost NO UV
> protection . . .

Not for UV protection, for thermal protection. Double it up until it's thick enough to stop most light.

>Two .45 caliber pistols Possible means of self-propulsion

He's referring to the usefulness of projectile weapons as propulsion in zero-G. Doesn't work on the moon, though. (Or put it this way - an adult will have as much luck propelling himself with a .45 on the moon as a 12 year old will have propelling himself with one on earth.)

>I doubt anyone has developed how to navigate on the moon using
> celestial navigation.

Don't really have to. The sky is the same from the earth to the moon. Same charts will work fine; just have to orient them differently.

[billvon 3,109]

>Is there enough atmosphere ,if any, on the moon to use any type of FM style radio?

You don't need air for EM wave propagation. You only need it for sound waves. Radios work fine. (The lack of an ionosphere makes long distance shortwave communication impossible tho.)

>Can you shoot a gun in space?

Yes. Propellants contain their own oxidizer. Heck, even black powder will burn in space.

[guppie01 0]

Bill you're sooo sexy when you talk smart....

g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[wildcard451 0]

Quote

Quote

Solar-powered FM receiver-transmitter

Is there enough atmosphere ,if any, on the moon to use any type of FM style radio?

...

[wildblue 7]

We should turn this into a game of lifeboat, where you can only take 2 other people with you Can you say "Values Clarification" class?

it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

[DJL 235]

Quote

Can you shoot a gun in space?

Yes, but since you can't hear it, did it really happen?

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[nanook 1]

Quote

Yes, but since you can't hear it, did it really happen?

Only if the bullet hits a mime

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln