Professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering
Rocket Science in Everyday Life
What You'll Learn
- Understand how different satellite systems help support our everyday life, such as weather and GPS satellites
- Understand the difference between asteroids and comets, and describe the ramifications of different sizes of objects encountering the Earth
- Describe how spaceships far away from the Earth can get places, what that should look like, and what forces the people on board would actually feel
4 Modules
12 Hours
3 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Rocket Science in Everyday Life
We encounter the results of rocket science all the time; from weather prediction to GPS navigation, rocket science has helped navigate our world in new, innovative ways. Rocket Science in Everyday Life explores innovations in rocket science, including the formation of space agencies, like NASA and the European Space Agency, that work to advance rocket science. Learn how satellites are used to track climate changes across the globe and how rockets have taken us to worlds beyond our own. Examine the scientific motivations and methods for planetary exploration to see beyond our solar system. End the course with some cinematic magic and examine how movies and TV use rocket science to create exciting worlds - even if they don’t always get the science behind it right.
Skills You'll Gain
- Astronomy
- Physics
- Planetary Science
- Spacecraft Propulsion
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Rocket Science in Everyday Life, the final course in the Rocket Science 101 series. Learners explore how rocket science shapes daily life, from satellite navigation to planetary exploration, while separating scientific reality from science fiction.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: The Science Being Conducted By NASA
- Meet your Fellow Learners - Discussion Prompt
- Video: Welcome to the Rocket Science in Everyday Life Course
- Reading: Syllabus
- Discussion Prompt: Meet your Fellow Learners
- Reading: Help Us Learn More About You!
- Video: Space Agencies Around the World
- Video: NASA Structure
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Space Agencies in the USA and Around the World
- Video: Earth Science Satellites
- Video: Heliophysics
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Earth Science Mission
- Reading: Optional & Recommended Resources: Get to Know More About The Science being Conducted by NASA
- Reading: Optional Extra Resources: Science Being Conducted by NASA
- Graded: Week 1 Quiz: The Science Being Conducted by NASA
Module 2: How and Why We Explore Planets
- Video: Missions to Mercury
- Video: Is There Anybody Out There?
- Video: Missions to Venus
- Reading: Drag & Drop: Missions to Mercury & Venus
- Video: Missions to Mars—Part 1
- Video: Missions to Mars—Part 2
- Reading: Mission to Mars: Extensive Summary
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Exploring Mercury, Venus & Mars
- Reading: Optional & Recommended Resource: Get to Know More About Mars
- Video: The Voyagers and the Deep Space Network
- Video: Missions to the Outer Planets: Jupiter
- Video: Missions to the Outer Planets: Saturn & Pluto
- Reading: Check your Knowledge on Voyagers, Jupiter, Saturn & Pluto
- Video: Seeing Beyond Our Solar System
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Exploring Outer Planets & Beyond
- Reading: Optional & Recommended Resource: Get to Know More About How and Why We Explore Planets
- Video: One More Thing for This Week: Why Pluto is Not a Planet
- Reading: Optional Extra Resources: How and Why We Explore Planets
- Graded: Week 2 Quiz: How and Why We Explore Planets
Module 3: What Movies Get Right and Wrong About Transportation
- Video: Jet Packs: How They Work?
- Video: How Much Fuel Does Iron Man Need?
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Jet Packs and Iron Man
- Video: How Teleportation Works
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Teleportation
- Video: The Millennium Falcon Problem
- Video: Gravity in Space
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Combat in Space (Millennium Falcon)
- Video: Faster Than Light Travel: Relativity
- Video: Time Dilation & Travelling Faster Than Speed of Light
- Video: Is it Possible to Travel Faster Than Light?
- Reading: Knowledge Check: Relativity, Time Dilation & Travelling Faster Than Speed of Light
- Video: Interstellar Travel: Is It Possible?
- Reading: Drag the Words: Interstellar Travel
- Video: Light Sabers and Blasters
- Reading: Optional & Recommended Resource: Get to Know More What Movies Get Right and Wrong About Transportation
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Light Travel, Sabers, and Blasters
- Video: Bonus & Optional | One More Thing for This Week: Best and Worst Sci-Fi Space Battles
- Reading: Optional Extra Resources: What Movies Get Right and Wrong About Transportation
- Graded: Week 3 Quiz: What Movies Get Right and Wrong About Transportation
Module 4: What Movies Get Right and Wrong About Destruction
- Video: Introduction to Week 4: Raining Destruction From Above!
- Video: Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: The Impacts of Asteroids and Comets
- Video: Identifying Near Earth Objects (NEOs)
- Video: Predicting the Orbits of NEOs
- Reading: Knowledge Check: Identifying Near Earth Objects
- Video: Sizes and Destructive Power of NEOs
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Preventing Asteroids and Comets (Part 1)
- Video: Mitigation Strategies in Preventing NEOs
- Video: Example of Mitigation Strategies in Preventing NEOs
- Reading: Knowledge Check: Mitigation Strategies
- Video: NASA's Dart Mission
- Reading: Optional & Recommended Resource: Get to Know More About Asteroids and Comets
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Preventing Asteroids and Comets (Part 2)
- Video: Optional & Bonus | One More Thing for this Week: The Best and Worst Asteroid Destruction in Movies
- Reading: Optional Extra Resources: What Movies Get Right and Wrong About Destruction
- Video: Course Wrap-Up
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
- Graded: Week 4 Quiz: What Movies Get Right and Wrong About Destruction
Grading Policy
Learners must pass all module quizzes, which are each worth 25% of their final grade.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
There is no required background, as the material is introductory. Some algebra-level mathematical concepts are discussed, but not required.
