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The History of Rocket Science

The History of Rocket Science

This course is part of Rocket Science 101 Specialization

Instructor: Aaron Ridley

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

24 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

24 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Describe the progression and the reasoning behind the US's Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs
Describe the costs and benefits of the space shuttle program, and why the US lost two shuttles
Describe how Germany developed rockets for warfare in WWII and how the US and USSR used this technology to develop their rocket programs

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

16 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Rocket Science 101 Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

Modern rocket design started amidst World War II, pushing the boundaries of what rocketry was capable of. In The History of Rocket Science, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of this complicated history and discuss key advancements, like the creation of the V2 rocket. Examine the ramifications of the advancements of rocket science from a historical and societal perspective, going beyond the technological advancements during the war. This course also explores the Cold War, culminating in the United States’ creation of the Apollo 11 — the pivotal creation that landed the U.S. on the moon. Round out the course by getting a first-hand look at space shuttles, space stations, space tourism, and how companies are opening up space exploration.

Module details

Welcome to the History of Rocket Science course and to Week 1: The Advent of Modern Rockets. This module will take you on a journey through the fascinating history of rocketry, beginning with the time before modern rockets existed and leading up to the post-WWII era. By the end of this module, you will be able to recognize what came before modern rockets, comprehend the cost of rocketry in WWII, and comprehend the development of rocket inventions in WWII in Germany. You will also be able to recognize how the US and USSR responded to post-WWII, setting a strong foundation for the rest of the course. Let's dive into the fascinating world of rocket science!

What's included

4 videos7 readings3 assignments2 discussion prompts

4 videosTotal 30 minutes

Welcome to the History of Rocket Science Course2 minutes
The History of Pre-Modern Rockets9 minutes
The Invention of the V2 Rocket9 minutes
Rockets Post-WWII10 minutes

7 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Syllabus7 minutes
Help Us Learn More About You!5 minutes
Content Notice3 minutes
Rockets Before WWII: Innovations & Scientists15 minutes
Rockets During WWII: Cost & Notable Engineers15 minutes
Rockets Post WWII: US & USSR Activities15 minutes
Extra Resources: The Advent of Modern Rockets0 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 35 minutes

Knowledge Check: Rockets Before WWII10 minutes
Knowledge Check: Rockets During WWII10 minutes
Week 1 Quiz: The Advent of Modern Rockets15 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 15 minutes

Meet your Fellow Learners 5 minutes
How the World Should Have Reacted?10 minutes

Welcome to the second module of the History of Rocket Science course—Week 2: The Space Race. This module will take you on a thrilling journey through one of the most exciting periods in the history of rocketry—the space race. By the end of this module, you will be able to comprehend the political paradigm of the space race: communism vs. capitalism, recognize the USSR's early victories in the space race, identify the components of the US plan to get to the moon, and explain why the USSR plan failed to get to the moon. Join us as we relive the excitement and intrigue of the space race and gain a deeper understanding of the history of rocket science.

What's included

8 videos6 readings5 assignments

8 videosTotal 59 minutes

Early Space Exploration to 1961—Part 19 minutes
Early Space Exploration to 1961—Part 210 minutes
Ramping Up the Space Race: The Mercury Era12 minutes
The Gemini Era: US and USSR Achievements6 minutes
The Apollo Era: Successes & Failures—Part 1 7 minutes
The Apollo Era: Successes & Failures—Part 27 minutes
US Moon Missions: A Tribute to Katherine Johnson5 minutes
One More Thing for This Week: If Kennedy Had Lived3 minutes

6 readingsTotal 63 minutes

Reminder: Content Notice3 minutes
The Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin Era: US & USSR Activities15 minutes
The Mercury Era: US & USSR Activities15 minutes
US & USSR Achievements During The Gemini Era15 minutes
The Apollo Era: US & USSR Success and Failures15 minutes
Extra Resources: The Space Race0 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 55 minutes

Knowledge Check: The Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin Era10 minutes
Knowledge Check: The Mercury Era10 minutes
Knowledge Check: The Gemini Era10 minutes
Knowledge Check: The Apollo Era10 minutes
Week 2 Quiz: The Space Race15 minutes

Welcome to the third module of the History of Rocket Science course—Week 3: The Space Shuttle Era. This module will explore the era of the Space Shuttle program, which marked a new phase in the history of space exploration. We will examine the evolution of the shuttle program and its impact on the exploration and utilization of space. The module will be divided into three parts, each focusing on a distinct aspect of the Space Shuttle era. The first part will cover Fast Airplanes, where we will explore the technological advancements that made high-speed aircraft and commercial space travel possible. The second part will focus on Space Stations, where we will examine the construction and operation of the International Space Station (ISS), which continues to be a vital platform for scientific research and technological development in space. Lastly, the third part will cover The Space Shuttle, where we will take a closer look at the cost and benefits of the shuttle program, including its role in deploying and repairing satellites, and its use in servicing the Hubble Space Telescope. Join us as we explore the exciting and innovative era of the Space Shuttle program and gain a deeper understanding of the history of rocket science.

What's included

4 videos4 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 30 minutes

The Development of Fast Airplanes in the US6 minutes
The Development of Space Stations7 minutes
The Truck to Space: The Development of the Space Shuttle11 minutes
One More Thing for This Week: The USSR's Space Shuttle5 minutes

4 readingsTotal 45 minutes

Fast Airplanes in the US: A Timeline15 minutes
Space Stations' Development: A Timeline15 minutes
The US Space Shuttle Program: Genesis & Ending15 minutes
Extra Resources: The Space Shuttle Era0 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Knowledge Check: Fast Airplanes10 minutes
Knowledge Check: Space Stations10 minutes
Knowledge Check: The Space Shuttle10 minutes
Week 3 Quiz: The Space Shuttle Era15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 15 minutes

Point of Discussion: Are We Spending Too Much Taxpayer Money on Space?15 minutes

Welcome to the fourth and the last module of the History of Rocket Science course—Week 4: The Industrial Revolution. In this module, we will explore how the rocket industry has been transformed by the rise of commercial space companies and the emergence of new space technologies. By the end of this module, you will be able to identify the reasons for the development of small satellites, recognize the cost model of launch vehicles, identify what launch vehicle providers are doing to drive costs down, and comprehend the motivation to go to Mars and how we can get there. Join us as we explore the cutting-edge technologies and revolutionary ideas that are driving the Industrial Revolution in rocket science, and gain a deeper understanding of the future of space exploration.