Assignment 20: Space Photography Article and Study Questions



Space photography plays a vital role in modern space exploration, serving both scientific and historical purposes. Images taken during space missions are not just visually inspiring. They provide critical data that helps scientists and engineers understand equipment performance, diagnose problems, and document milestones in human spaceflight. NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight of the Artemis program, will sent four astronauts on a journey around the Moon, marking a major step toward future lunar landings. Because opportunities to capture images in space are limited and cannot easily be repeated, Artemis II astronauts undergo extensive photography training to ensure they can successfully document their mission. This preparation highlights how photography is an essential tool for exploration, discovery, and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Read this article from the Rochester Institute of Technology to find out more about space photography and Artemis II.


After you have finished reading, copy the questions below and paste them into a word document. Hightlight or annotate the correct answer for each question. Submit your word file in Teams when you have completed it. This will be due on Thurday.

1. What is the primary role of Katrina Willoughby and Paul Reichert for the Artemis II mission?

A. Designing spacecraft navigation systems
B. Training astronauts in photography and imaging techniques
C. Conducting scientific experiments on the moon
D. Managing astronaut communications

2. Which academic program did Willoughby and Reichert graduate from at RIT?
A. Aerospace Engineering
B. Visual Journalism
C. Imaging and Photographic Technology (Photographic Sciences)
D. Computer Science

3. Where did the photography training for the Artemis II astronauts take place?
A. Kennedy Space Center in Florida
B. RIT main campus in New York
C. Johnson Space Center in Houston
D. Canadian Space Agency headquarters

4. How long did Willoughby and Reichert work with the Artemis II crew to prepare them?
A. Six months
B. One year
C. Two years
D. Four years

5. Which of the following is not a member of the Artemis II crew?
A. Reid Wiseman
B. Victor Glover
C. Christina Koch
D. Jessica Meir

6. Why is photography considered critical to space missions like Artemis II?
A. Photos are mainly used for public relations
B. Imagery serves as scientific data and problem‑solving evidence
C. Astronauts must submit daily photo reports
D. NASA requires photos for funding purposes

7. According to the article, what makes space mission photography especially challenging?
A. Limited camera battery life
B. Poor image resolution
C. Few opportunities for retakes
D. Astronauts are not allowed to use digital cameras

8. What type of equipment do astronauts train to use during the photography courses?
A. Only smartphones and tablets
B. Only robotic cameras
C. Commercial cameras and custom‑built hardware
D. Film‑based cameras

9. What is the approximate duration of the Artemis II mission?
A. Three days
B. One week
C. Ten days
D. One month

10. What is one goal of the training modules designed by Willoughby and Reichert?
A. Teach astronauts artistic photo composition
B. Prepare astronauts to work independently in space‑like conditions
C. Reduce the number of cameras on board
D. Train astronauts to repair imaging satellites

11. How do the instructors simulate space conditions during training?
A. Virtual reality headsets only
B. Zero‑gravity aircraft flights
C. Mock‑ups and realistic lighting and environmental simulations
D. Outdoor desert training

12. How did Willoughby and Reichert first learn about NASA imaging job opportunities?
A. From a public job website
B. Through a NASA recruitment fair
C. Via an RIT alumnus and professor Andrew Davidhazy
D. Through an international research conference

13. How many astronauts have Willoughby and Reichert helped train over their careers?
A. Only the Artemis II crew
B. Fewer than 20 astronauts
C. Nearly every active astronaut over the past 25 years
D. Only U.S. astronauts

14. What broader impact do Reichert and Willoughby hope the Artemis II images will have?
A. Increase NASA funding
B. Replace satellite imagery
C. Inspire future scientists, engineers, and innovators
D. Improve social media engagement

15. Why do the instructors emphasize giving astronauts extensive hands‑on practice?
A. Cameras are difficult to carry in space
B. Imaging decisions cannot be made from the ground during missions
C. Astronauts prefer photography to science tasks
D. NASA limits training time during missions