About this course: This course provides a view of the history of spaceflight, from early writings telling of human's fascination of space through the early Russian and American space stations. Developed as an interesting and entertaining slice of space history that is accessible to anyone with an interest in human spaceflight
Created by: University of Houston System
Taught by: Dr. Chuck Layne, Professor and Department Chair
Health and Human Performance
| Commitment | 1-2 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction
A welcome video and course syllabus
1 video, 1 reading
- Video: Course Invitation Video
- Reading: Syllabus
WEEK 2
Unit 1 - Apollo 11 Moon Landing
Learn about the Apollo 11 moon landing with interesting interviews with the astronauts who made history
1 video, 1 reading
- Video: Unit 1 - Movie
- Reading: Unit 1 - Apollo 11 Moon Landing pdf and Prezi
Graded: Unit 1 - Quiz 1
WEEK 3
Unit 2 - Humankind’s Musings on Space Travel
Learn about how previous generations thought about the possibility of space travel
1 video, 1 reading
- Video: Unit 2- Movie
- Reading: Unit 2 Prezi and pdf files
Graded: Unit 2 - Quiz 1
Graded: Unit 2 - Quiz 2
WEEK 4
Unit 3 - Early Rocketry
Learn about how rockets were developed from the ancient Chinese through today's powerful rockets
1 video, 1 reading
- Video: Unit 3 - Movie
- Reading: Unit 3 Prezi and pdf files
Graded: Unit 3 - Quiz 1
Graded: Unit 3 - Quiz 2
WEEK 5
Unit 4 - Early Soviet Space Program
Learn about steps the Soviet Union took to launch the first man in space
1 video, 1 reading
- Reading: Unit 4 Prezi and pdf files
- Video: Unit 4 - Movie
Graded: Unit 4 - Quiz 1
Graded: Unit 4 - Quiz 2
Graded: Unit 4 - Quiz 3
WEEK 6
Unit 5 - Mercury Program
Learn about the United State's first efforts to put a human in space
1 video, 1 reading
- Video: Unit 5 - Movie
- Reading: Unit 5 Prezi and pdf files
Graded: Unit 5 - Quiz 1
Graded: Unit 5 - Quiz 2
WEEK 7
Unit 6 - Gemini Program
Learn about how NASA refined their human space flight program in preparation for a moon landing
1 video, 1 reading
- Reading: Unit 6 Prezi and pdf files
- Video: Unit 6 - Movie
Graded: Unit 6 - Quiz 1
Graded: Unit 6 - Quiz 2
Graded: Unit 6 - Quiz 3
WEEK 8
Unit 7 - Apollo Program
Learn about the last technical innovations required to land a human on the moon
3 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Unit 7a Movie
- Video: Unit7b - Movie
- Video: Unit 7c - Movie
- Reading: Unit 7 Prezi and pdf files
Graded: Unit 7 - Quiz 1
Graded: Unit 7 - Quiz 2
Graded: Unit 7 - Quiz 3
WEEK 9
Unit 8 - Early Space Stations
Learn about how the early steps taken to send humans in space for extended missions
1 video, 1 reading
- Video: Unit 8 - Movie
- Reading: Unit 8 Prezi and pdf files
Graded: Unit 8 - Quiz 1
Graded: Unit8 - Quiz 2
FAQs
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Coursework
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Creators
University of Houston System
The University of Houston System’s four universities and six regional campuses comprise the only comprehensive higher education system serving the world’s energy capital and the Gulf Coast region. Among institutions nationwide, the UH System remains a model of diversity and a reflection of the city it serves.
Ratings and Reviews
As an aerospace engineering student, I gained historical background about my profession. I hope there will be a second part of this course.
I really enjoyed this course and learned a lot from it. Information for the course is provided in different formats which is nice too. The links to old footage and audio from spaceflight in the past were fascinating. I wouldn't mind doing this course again in a few years time when my memory of the specifics has faded!
Very interesting course. In addition, I learned some facts of the space race unknown by me until this time.
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MT
This course is so great! I never would have learned about spaceflight without it.