Business & Entrepreneurship

Science & Technology

Lead Teams to Success

Live Sustainably With Science

Set Goals & Manage Time Effectively

Unlock the Secrets of Space

Use Science and Math to Solve Problems

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.

1. Introduction

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.

2. Astronaut Training

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.

3. Rockets: How Rockets Work

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.

4. Rockets: What It Feels Like to Launch

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. 

5. Rockets: Atmospheric Drag

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

6. Rockets: Orbital Mechanics

Rockets: Orbital Mechanics

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

7. Rockets: Fuels and Propulsion

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.

8. Rockets: The Price of Exploration

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.

9. Spaceships: Capsule Design

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.

10. Spaceships: Shuttles and Beyond

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.

11. Spaceships: Navigation Systems and Human Variables

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.

12. Spaceships: Navigating to the International Space Station

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.

13. The ISS: Conception, Design, and Construction

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.

14. The ISS: Life Support Systems

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.

15. The ISS: Experiments

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.

16. Leadership: Commanding the ISS

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.

17. Training and Learning: One-Pagers

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.

18. Comms: Mission Control Evolution and Operations

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.

19. Spacewalking: Spacesuits

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.

20. Spacewalking: Spacewalks

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.

21. Spacewalking: Training

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.

22. Spacewalking: Space and Perspective

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.

23. Training and Learning: Simulations

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.

24. Mars: How to Get to Mars

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.

25. Mars: Living on Another Planet

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. 

26. Mars: In-Situ Resource Utilization

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.

27. Mars: Exploring Mars, Geology, and Astrobiology

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.

28. Conclusion: The Future of Exploration

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.

29. Bonus Chapter: Chris's Journey

Bonus Chapter: Chris's Journey

Chris Hadfield Teaches Space Exploration

variant_1

Enjoy 7 days free

The promo may be over, but your opportunity isn't. Dive into the full experience, worry-free, with our 7-day money-back guarantee.

The offer has ended

Amount charged now

Your 7-day free trial starts today

Celebrating 10 years of MasterClass by giving one member the chance to jump-start their writing career.

We're celebrating 10 years of MasterClass by giving one member a chance at a life-changing experience.

Watch her class, and you and a guest will have a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Esther's relationship retreat in Paros, Greece.

Watch her class, and you will have a chance at a 1:1 consultation and an all-expenses-paid VIP trip to Waco, Texas

With 200+ classes and thousands of lessons to learn from.

From TIME ©2022 TIME USA LLC. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Times

Wirecutter

Reviewed - USA Today

With Renowned Instructors

Bill Clinton

Richard Branson

George Stephanopoulos

Roy Choi

George W. Bush

Elaine Welteroth

Coach K

Lewis Hamilton

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Robin Roberts

Shonda Rhimes

Doris Kearns Goodwin

Simone Biles

Bob Iger

Daniel Pink

Malala Yousafzai

Judd Apatow

Robin Arzón

LeVar Burton

Sara Blakely

Neil deGrasse Tyson

RuPaul

Issa Rae

Anna Wintour

Geno Auriemma

Skill Builder Episodes

Chris Voss and Noted Co-Experts

Chris Voss

Condoleezza Rice

Stephen Hadley

Crisis Day

Teaches Authentic Leadership

President George W. Bush Teaches Authentic Leadership

Teaches Designing Your Career

Elaine Welteroth Teaches Designing Your Career

Achieve More With GenAI

Ethan Mollick

Allie K. Miller

Don Allen III

Manuel Sainsily

With Leading CEOs

Mike Cessario

Laura Modi

Business Rebels

Teaches Purposeful Communication

George Stephanopoulos Teaches Purposeful Communication

With Former CIA Officers

Brian Carbaugh

Dawn Meyerriecks

Michael Morell

The Art of Intelligence

With Leading Experts

Carol Dweck

David Yeager

Steve Young

Jeremy Bohannon

Lorena Tareszkiewicz Seidel

The Power of Mindset

Gut Health with Leading Experts

David Zilber

Dr. Emeran Mayer

Erica Sonnenburg & Justin Sonnenburg

Gut Health

Critical Leadership Training

Jocko Willink

Critical Leadership Training with Navy SEAL Officer Jocko Willink

Teaches the Athlete’s Mindset

Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky Teaches the Athlete's Mindset

Teaches the Power of Resilience

Hillary Rodham Clinton Teaches The Power of Resilience

Teaches Science and Problem-Solving

Bill Nye

Bill Nye Teaches Science and Problem-Solving

Kim Scott

Tackle the Hard Conversations With Radical Candor®

Think Like a Boss, Live Like a Legend

Martha Stewart

Teaches Mathematical Thinking

Terence Tao

Terence Tao Teaches Mathematical Thinking

Teaches Creativity and Leadership

Anna Wintour Teaches Creativity and Leadership

Ryan Holiday with Noted Experts

Ryan Holiday

Using Ancient Wisdom to Solve Modern Problems

Teaches Sales and Persuasion

Daniel Pink Teaches Sales and Persuasion

Get 50% off this Labor day

Get 50% off this Labor day

Get 50% off this Labor day

Menu

Get 50% off this Labor day

Get 50% off this Labor day