Professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering
The Basics of Rocket Science
What You'll Learn
- Describe different orbits and how spacecraft can use orbit changes to get from one place to another
- Determine how much rocket fuel is needed to lift different rockets off the ground and put them into orbit
- Describe the costs and benefits of different types of rocket engines and designs
4 Modules
12 Hours
3 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About The Basics of Rocket Science
Why are rockets so big? Is there gravity in space? How does a rocket engine even work? In this course, you’ll explore the major concepts of rocket science, including orbital dynamics, velocity, and different types of engines that help propel a rocket out of Earth’s atmosphere. Determine how rocket scientists use formulas and Newton’s laws to propel rockets off the ground and accelerate them to their destination. Explore how and why rockets have stages, including how rocket scientists choose between solid and liquid engines for rockets. With The Basics of Rocket Science, you’ll even get an inside look at how we might get humans to Mars, an advancement in rocket science that could change humanity's future.
Skills You'll Gain
- 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 The Basics of Rocket Science, the first course in the Rocket Science 101 specialization. Learners explore motion and forces, orbital mechanics, rocket engines and propulsion, and future space missions through accessible, concept-driven lessons.
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: Motion and Forces
- Video: Welcome to Rocket Science 101
- Reading: Syllabus
- Discussion Prompt: Meet your Fellow Learners
- Reading: Help Us Learn More About You!
- Video: What is Position, Velocity, and Acceleration?
- Video: What is a Vector?
- Video: Ballistic Motion
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Position, Velocity, and Acceleration
- Video: Newton's 3 Laws
- Video: What is Momentum and Why does it Matter?
- Video: Aside: Everything is Relative
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Newton's Laws
- Video: The Basics of Thrust
- Video: Introduction to the Rocket Equation
- Video: Why do Rockets have Stages?
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Thrust
- Video: Optional/Bonus | One More Thing for This Week: The V2 The First Modern Ballistic Missile
- Reading: Extra Resources: Motion & Forces
- Graded Assignment: Week 1 Quiz: Motion & Forces
Module 2: Basics of Orbit
- Video: The Fundamental Concepts of an Orbit
- Video: Kepler's Laws
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Orbits
- Video: Our Place in the Solar System: Where Do We Live?—Part 1
- Video: Our Place in the Solar System: Where Do We Live?—Part 2
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Our Place in the Solar System
- Video: What is Escape Velocity
- Video: Escaping vs. Landing
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Escape Velocity
- Video: A Lot of Types of Orbits Are Out There
- Video: Optional/Bonus: Orbit Demonstration
- Video: Hohmann Transfers to Circle the Sun
- Video: Why Don't We Throw our Garbage into the Sun?
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Types of Orbits
- Video: Lagrange Points: What Are They?
- Video: Getting to Mars
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Knowledge Check: Lagrange Points
- Video: Optional/Bonus | One More Thing for This Week: Sun Synchronous Orbits
- Reading: Extra Resources: Basics of Orbits
- Graded Assignment: Week 2 Quiz: Basics of Orbits
Module 3: Basics of Rocket Engines
- Video: Mass Flow Rate vs. Exhaust Velocity
- Video: Chemistry and Physics of Exhaust Velocity
- Video: Sizing a Rocket
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Mass Flow Rate vs. Exhaust Velocity
- Video: Basics of Jet Engines
- Video: Vehicles that Use Jet Engines
- Video: Where is the Edge of Space?
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: MJet Engines
- Video: Basics of Solid Engines
- Video: Solid Engine Grain Patterns
- Video: More on Boosters
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Solid Engines
- Video: Basics of Liquid Engines
- Video: Cooling the Bell + Pumps
- Video: Nozzle Designs
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Liquid Engines
- Video: Optional/Bonus | One More Thing for This Week: Choosing the Right Engine
- Reading: Extra Resources: Basics of Rocket Engines
- Graded Assignment: Week 3 Quiz: Basics of Rocket Engines
Module 4: The Future of Rocket Science
- Video: Introduction to Plasmas
- Video: Plasma Thrusters
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Electric Engines
- Video: Can we Use a Big Gun to Get to Space?
- Video: The Math of a Big Gun
- Video: Can we Use a Laser to Get to Space?
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Big Guns + Lasers
- Video: A Primer to Nuclear Engines
- Video: Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators
- Video: Hybrid Engines
- Video: Other Engine Designs
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Other Engines
- Video: Going to Mars: One of the Perspectives
- Discussion Prompt: Who Will Go to Mars?
- Video: Going to Mars: What Could We Do Better?
- Practice Assignment: Knowledge Check: Getting to Mars and Back
- Video: Optional/Bonus | Going to Mars: Working Through the Math
- Reading: Extra Resources: The Future of Rocket Science
- Video: One More Thing for This Week: A Look Back on Basics of Rocket Science
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
- Graded Assignment: Week 4 Quiz: The Future of Rocket Science
Grading Policy
Learners must pass all four 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 to know.
