Space MIAD Practice Test

What two programs were authorized by President Eisenhower to gather intelligence on the USSR?

1. Project Apollo and Gemini

2. Project Genetrix and U2 Spy Plane

3. Mercury program and Project Diana

4. Voyager program and Mariner program

The correct answer is: Project Genetrix and U2 Spy Plane

The correct answer highlights the significant initiatives taken during the Cold War for intelligence gathering. Project Genetrix involved high-altitude balloons equipped with cameras that were designed to capture images of the Soviet Union and its activities. This program aimed to gather critical intelligence while minimizing the risks associated with manned missions. The U2 Spy Plane was another key program authorized by Eisenhower, designed to conduct high-altitude reconnaissance missions over the USSR and other regions. Its ability to fly at extreme altitudes allowed it to evade enemy radar and capture detailed photographs without detection. Both of these programs represented crucial advancements in Cold War intelligence efforts, demonstrating a strategic commitment to understanding and monitoring the activities of the Soviet Union during a tense geopolitical period. The other options mentioned pertain to space exploration and educational initiatives, which, while significant, do not pertain to the specific objective of intelligence gathering on the USSR.