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Yale University

Rocket Science for Everyone

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.

Status: Global Positioning Systems
Status: Technical Communication
BeginnerCourse6 hours

Featured reviews

Y

5.0Reviewed Jul 18, 2024

Thoroughly enjoyed this course... very informational... and I might add... better than watching a netflix movie.. haha.. Well done Yale and Prof Marla Geha and team. Much appreciated!

AB

5.0Reviewed Aug 7, 2024

I enjoyed this excellent overview of satellites. For someone with no background in science or math, it helped my understanding of the rocket launches I love to watch. Thank you!

DG

4.0Reviewed Jul 30, 2024

I really enjoyed Module 2 and 3 with the mathematics to explain orbits and multi-stage rockets. The course was interesting on the whole and clearly presented. Thank you.

CG

4.0Reviewed Jul 22, 2024

Really nice and quick overview that teaches you ton of trivia that might not be super important for survival, but let you understand what others do to make our survival so easy!

BH

5.0Reviewed Jul 16, 2024

Good quick overview of the space domain for beginners. It's also a good review for engineers who are in the industry to remember the fundamentals.

CW

5.0Reviewed Jul 22, 2024

Interesting course that provided insight into rocket science and satellites for the lay person (a.k.a. ´For Dummies’. ) Excellent instructor and short concise modules.

JC

5.0Reviewed Mar 2, 2025

For a novice rocket dude, this course is well laid out and presented. The physics are kept at a low level and the science is well explained. Great course

KG

5.0Reviewed Aug 29, 2024

Truly gifted professor. She exudes passion for her topic and clearly loves helping students understand complex material at a level that is appropriate for an entry level course. Many thanks!

SG

5.0Reviewed Aug 9, 2024

Good intro to the subject. Refreshed a lot of info from my undergrad physics days in the early 70s and added some new insights. Great instructor.

GS

5.0Reviewed Mar 11, 2025

Awesome Course and an Awesome Professor but a Yale University Logo/Seal should've been there on the certificate. It would've looked cool but never mind.

NG

5.0Reviewed Jul 15, 2024

This was such a cool course! Thanks so much to Professor Geha for teaching this and making rocket science so fun, engaging, and accessible. I learned a ton and highly recommend the course.

EG

5.0Reviewed May 8, 2025

I loved this course! The information was delivered in an easy to follow manner, the videos were engaging, and I learned a lot. Highly recommended.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 236

Kevin Gustafson
5.0
Reviewed Aug 30, 2024
Bahar Baltacioglu
5.0
Reviewed Jul 25, 2024
Neil G
5.0
Reviewed Jul 15, 2024
Darlene de Vida
5.0
Reviewed Jul 26, 2024
Joanne Molter
5.0
Reviewed Jul 30, 2024
zhenkun guo
5.0
Reviewed Jul 23, 2024
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Reviewed Aug 10, 2024
umesh singh
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Reviewed Jul 29, 2024
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Reviewed Jul 19, 2024
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5.0
Reviewed Jul 26, 2024
Aster Dinh
5.0
Reviewed May 26, 2025
Khushi Raut
5.0
Reviewed Jun 13, 2025
Mr. Laco
5.0
Reviewed Aug 27, 2025
Axel Romero
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Reviewed Jun 10, 2025
Emma Japan
5.0
Reviewed Aug 16, 2024
Grace Di Meo
5.0
Reviewed Aug 15, 2025
Mahesh Aravamudan
5.0
Reviewed Oct 15, 2024
5.0
Reviewed Nov 14, 2024
R Echivarre
5.0
Reviewed Jul 23, 2024
Lamido Ahmad
5.0
Reviewed Nov 29, 2024