Astronomy current events question: Curiosity rover computer memory problem

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2013
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)

Guy Webster, "Curiosity Rover's Recovery on Track," March 4, 2013
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20130304.html

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity is __________ due to an unknown problem with its computer's memory.
(A) trying to get its drilling arm unstuck.
(B) using its back-up computer.
(C) continuously rebooting.
(D) streaming corrupted data.
(E) only able to drive in reverse.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 2 students
(B) : 31 students
(C) : 7 students
(D) : 8 students
(E) : 0 students