Teaches Space Exploration

Chris Hadfield

Meet your instructor: Chris Hadfield, retired astronaut and former Commander of the International Space Station. In his first lesson, Chris reflects on overcoming the impossible to explore outer space.

Introduction

To become an astronaut, you have to become an expert on everything. Chris outlines the scope of an astronaut's training from leadership skills to survival skills.

Astronaut Training

Chris explains the functions of the basic parts of a rocket, the physics of launching one beyond the atmosphere, and how rocket design has evolved from mission to mission.

Rockets: How Rockets Work

Only a few hundred humans have ever traveled to space. Chris describes in precise detail the emotions an astronaut feels on launch day and the physical feeling of leaving Earth.

Rockets: What It Feels Like to Launch

Chris breaks down the equation for drag and shows how rockets are designed  to overcome the biggest hurdle of launching into space—the atmosphere. 

Rockets: Atmospheric Drag

Chris uses familiar situations—like driving a car and jumping off a diving board—to illustrate how the laws of orbital mechanics govern spaceflight and navigation

Rockets: Orbital Mechanics

Chris explains the pros and cons of different types of rocket fuels including liquid fuel, solid fuel, and ionized gas.

Rockets: Fuels and Propulsion

Rockets and spaceflight are dangerous by definition. Learn how astronauts manage their fears and cope with tragedy as Chris had to do after the loss of a friend in the Columbia Space Shuttle mission.

Rockets: The Price of Exploration

Learn the virtues and drawbacks of using the capsule model for human transport to space as Chris analyzes the designs of the Apollo, Gemini, Lunar Lander, and Soyuz.

Spaceships: Capsule Design

Two-thirds of those who’ve flown to space got there on a Space Shuttle. Chris outlines the design of the Shuttle, the impact of its reusability, and how spacecraft will evolve in the future.

Spaceships: Shuttles and Beyond

Learn how astronauts use stars, planets, and instruments to understand where their spaceship is, how it’s oriented, and where it’s going.

Spaceships: Navigation Systems and Human Variables

“It’s kind of like an elephant ballet.” Chris talks you through the process of flying your spaceship to the ISS, docking, and beginning your adventure aboard the laboratory in the sky.

Spaceships: Navigating to the International Space Station

The International Space Station couldn’t have been built without teams coming together from around the world. Chris details the process of constructing the ISS and explains the idea of shared exploration.

The ISS: Conception, Design, and Construction

Learn about the many systems that work together to keeps astronauts alive aboard the ISS and how those systems are evolving so that we can travel even further in space.

The ISS: Life Support Systems

Chris outlines a few experiments currently running on the ISS and explains how astronauts learn to conduct experiments in space on behalf of scientists on Earth.

The ISS: Experiments

Chris describes the great honor and responsibility of commanding the ISS, ranks the commander’s priorities, and outlines what it takes to reach and fulfill such an elite and difficult leadership position.

Leadership: Commanding the ISS

Preparing for space travel means learning massive amounts of information. Learn how Chris used a series of one-page summaries to recall complex systems and concepts on the fly during his time in space.

Training and Learning: One-Pagers

The first words spoken from the Moon were directed to Mission Control for a reason. Learn how Mission Control functions and why it is so critical to the success of a mission to space.

Comms: Mission Control Evolution and Operations

Chris gives a head-to-toe tour of an EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit), explaining how it keeps astronauts alive while spacewalking and conducting work outside the ship.

Spacewalking: Spacesuits

Chris outlines the physical and mental challenges of walking in space, describing the important roles played by support teams on Earth and inside the spacecraft during a spacewalk.

Spacewalking: Spacewalks

Chris describes his personal experience training for spacewalking in an underwater simulation and emphasizes the importance of gaining confidence in maneuvering and monitoring the spacesuit.

Spacewalking: Training

What can we learn from looking down at Earth from above? Chris explains what spaceflight means for our human perspective and how we can use what we learn in space to preserve our species and planet.

Spacewalking: Space and Perspective

Chris teaches you the principles behind simulation setup, the mindset you need to learn as much as possible from simulations, and how astronauts prepare for worst-case scenarios.

Training and Learning: Simulations

Chris explains the technical and societal challenges we face in traveling to Mars, including the ideal flight path required, the physics of slowing down and landing, and the risk of human life.

Mars: How to Get to Mars

Chris walks through the basic human needs required to live on another planet. Learn what it takes to grow food in space, protect ourselves from the elements, and readjust to gravity.

Mars: Living on Another Planet

If we can safely get to Mars, in-situ resource utilization could help us sustain life there. Chris breaks down the vital Sabatier process for creating hydrogen, oxygen, and methane on Mars. 

Mars: In-Situ Resource Utilization

Chris discusses how finding life on Mars could deepen our understanding of the universe and illuminate our place within it. Learn how we’re working with robots to search for life and build an outpost on Mars.

Mars: Exploring Mars, Geology, and Astrobiology

In his parting words, Chris reflects on the cyclical nature of human exploration and Earth’s place in outer space.

Conclusion: The Future of Exploration

Chris tells his personal story of becoming an astronaut and gives advice for achieving your goals—no matter where life takes you.

Bonus Chapter: Chris's Journey

Chris Hadfield Teaches Space Exploration

There's no one way to lead

An infinite fall

Fight fear with competence

In space, no one can waste their pee

Learn from the worst leaders

Know what you need to know in the moment

Out of a bathroom, onto Mt. Everest

Earth is one big spaceship

Curiosity is what takes us there

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