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Difficulty: MediumCannot Be True Questions

Any planetary mission targeting a gas giant requires a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system. However, no mission utilizing an NTP system can be approved by the International Space Authority (ISA) without a prior decadal survey. The upcoming 'Vanguard' planetary mission has just been approved by the ISA, but it has not been preceded by a decadal survey.

If the statements above are true, which one of the following cannot be true?

  1. The Vanguard mission is targeting a gas giant.Answer
  2. B
    Every planetary mission that requires an NTP system is targeting a gas giant.
  3. C
    Planetary missions that do not target a gas giant never require an NTP system.
  4. D
    The Vanguard mission will be delayed until a decadal survey is completed.
  5. E
    The Vanguard mission does not utilize a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system.

Answer

The Vanguard mission is targeting a gas giant.
The premises establish that targeting a gas giant requires an NTP system, and combining an NTP system with ISA approval requires a decadal survey. Because Vanguard has ISA approval without a decadal survey, it cannot possibly have an NTP system. Without an NTP system, the first premise dictates it cannot target a gas giant. Therefore, the statement that Vanguard is targeting a gas giant is a direct logical contradiction and cannot be true.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the first conditional statement.
If a mission targets a gas giant, it requires an NTP system.
To establish the mandatory requirements for gas giant missions.
2
Analyze the second conditional statement.
If a mission has an NTP system AND is approved by the ISA, it must have a prior decadal survey.
To establish the conditions under which NTP missions are approved.
3
Apply the facts about the Vanguard mission to the conditional rules.
Vanguard is approved by the ISA but lacks a decadal survey. Therefore, the necessary condition for having both NTP and ISA approval is not met.
To determine Vanguard's characteristics based on the rules.
4
Deduce Vanguard's propulsion system and target.
Since Vanguard has ISA approval but no decadal survey, it cannot have an NTP system. Because it lacks an NTP system, it cannot be targeting a gas giant.
To find the logically unavoidable conclusions about Vanguard.
5
Evaluate the answer choices to find the one that contradicts the deductions.
The statement that Vanguard targets a gas giant directly contradicts our deduction, making it logically impossible (cannot be true).
The question asks for the statement that cannot be true.

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