OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Course image
Coursera logo

Rocket Science for Everyone

Marla Geha

This course is an intuitive introduction to rocket science in our everyday lives.

Modern life increasingly depends on technology provided by Earth-orbiting satellites, from detailed weather predictions to broad-band internet and GPS. How are satellites launched into orbit and how do they work once they get there? Why are rockets used to get into orbit and how are they different from airplanes? This introductory course is aimed at a wide non-technical audience and is appropriate for all ages.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
This course is intended to be an intuitive introduction to rocket science in our everyday lives. This module will motivate and outline the course.
Read more
Orbits
Where do satellites orbit? In this module, we will explore what it means to be in orbit around the Earth and define the three major regions where most satellites orbit.
Rockets
How do satellites get into orbit? In this module, we will explore why rockets are needed to launch satellites to orbit and how rockets work.
Payloads
What is sent into orbit? We will explore how satellites work and breakdown different satellite components.
Wrap-Up
Why do satellites go into orbit? We will wrap up the course by diving into 3 specific satellite missions.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Designed for a wide, non-technical audience, this course is especially accessible for beginners with little to no knowledge of rocket science
Provides an intuitive introduction to rocket science, making it suitable for learners of all ages with an interest in the subject
Introduces fundamental concepts of rocket science, including orbits, rockets, and payloads
Taught by Marla Geha, an experienced instructor in the field

Save this course

Save Rocket Science for Everyone to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Rocket Science for Everyone with these activities:
Read 'Rockets and Spacecraft: A Pocket Guide'
Supplement your learning by reading a concise guide that provides an overview of rockets and spacecraft.
Show steps
  • Acquire the book
  • Read and comprehend the material
Organize Course Notes and Resources
Establish a structured system to organize and review course notes, assignments, and other materials.
Show steps
  • Create folders or use a digital system to store materials
  • File materials logically and consistently
Review Linear Algebra Concepts
Review the basics of linear algebra to strengthen your foundational understanding of the course material.
Browse courses on Linear Algebra
Show steps
  • Review determinants, matrices, and vector spaces
  • Practice solving linear equations and systems
  • Recall concepts of eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and their applications
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Solve Rocket Science Practice Problems
Engage in problem-solving exercises to test your understanding of rocket science concepts and principles.
Browse courses on Rocket Science
Show steps
  • Find online problem sets or textbooks with rocket science exercises
  • Attempt to solve the problems independently
  • Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement
Explore Hands-on Satellite Image Analysis Tutorials
Engage in interactive tutorials to gain practical experience in analyzing satellite images and interpreting data.
Browse courses on Remote Sensing
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials or workshops on satellite image analysis
  • Follow the instructions and work through examples
  • Apply techniques to real-world datasets
Engage in Discussion Groups with Classmates
Participate in online forums or discussion groups to share knowledge, ask questions, and learn from peers.
Show steps
  • Find or create discussion forums or groups related to the course
  • Actively participate in discussions
  • Contribute your own insights and questions
Develop a Visual Representation of Satellite Orbits
Create a visual aid, such as a diagram or animation, to illustrate the concepts of satellite orbits and their properties.
Show steps
  • Research and gather information about satellite orbits
  • Choose a visual format and design your representation
  • Explain and present your visual aid, sharing your understanding
Build a Model Rocket
Apply your knowledge by designing, building, and testing a model rocket to understand rocket science concepts.
Browse courses on Rocket Science
Show steps
  • Gather necessary materials and equipment
  • Follow instructions or design your own model rocket
  • Test and evaluate the performance of your rocket

Career center

Learners who complete Rocket Science for Everyone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Rocket Science for Everyone.
Space Safety
Most relevant
Rocket Science in Everyday Life
Earth Observation from Space: the Optical View
Spacecraft Relative Motion Kinematics and Kinetics
Spacecraft Dynamics Capstone: Mars Mission
Impact with Low Orbit Ion Cannon (LOIC) 2
Amazon Athena Deep Dive
Monitoring the Oceans from Space
Engagement & Nurture Marketing Strategies
Course image
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Yale University
Instructor
Marla Geha
Session
August 12, 2024 - September 23, 2024
Language
English
Good to know
Designed for a wide, non-technical audience, this course is especially accessible for beginners with little to no knowledge of rocket science
Provides an intuitive introduction to rocket science, making it suitable for learners of all ages with an interest in the subject
Introduces fundamental concepts of rocket science, including orbits, rockets, and payloads
Taught by Marla Geha, an experienced instructor in the field
Share and help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Don't miss out
Enroll today to gain access to this course
Enroll in this course
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser