Space Studies

A free, self-paced curriculum — no accreditation, just the material

5 courses · 35 modules + 1 bonus

Free Online Space Course: Where to Start

Space Studies is a free, self-paced curriculum in five courses and 35 modules, plus one bonus module. Each module is sized for a single sitting, built from primary sources, and open to read without an account. No accreditation is attached; it is just the material.

Start with SSA-01 →
The Path

Five Courses, In Order

  1. SSA-01 · 7 modules · about 185 min

    Introduction to Space Studies

    A self-paced survey of astronautics, astronomy, policy, economics, and exploration as one field.

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  2. SSA-02 · 6 modules · about 185 min

    Introduction to Space Flight

    Rocket propulsion, launch vehicles, orbital mechanics, satellite systems, and living and working in space.

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  3. SSA-03 · 8 modules · about 250 min

    History of Space Flight

    A chronological survey from early rocketry through the commercial era, treated as history rather than triumph narrative.

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  4. SSA-04 · 7 modules · about 225 min

    Space Policy

    Space law, resource rights, militarization, and environmental policy, presented with competing positions stated fairly and no verdict.

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  5. SSA-05 · 8 modules · about 250 min

    Planetary and Space Exploration

    The Moon, Mars, the outer planets and small bodies, space station operations, and commercial logistics.

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Prefer a Subject?

Browse by Topic

  • Astronomy and Space Exploration — From ancient astronomy to Hubble and JWST, and the missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
  • Rockets and Orbits — Propulsion, launch vehicles, Kepler's laws, transfers between orbits and satellite systems.
  • Space Law and Policy — The Outer Space Treaty, space resources, military space, debris and competing lunar coalitions.
  • Space History — Early rocketry, the Space Race, Apollo, the Shuttle, the ISS and the commercial era.
  • Living and Working in Space — Life support, spacewalks, the ISS partnership and how stations are run and resupplied.
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I begin?

Start with SSA-01, the broad survey of the whole field, then follow the courses in order: SSA-02 on space flight, SSA-03 on history, SSA-04 on policy and SSA-05 on planetary exploration. If you would rather pick a subject, the topic pages below group the same modules by theme.

What do the five courses cover?

SSA-01 surveys astronautics, astronomy, policy, economics and exploration as one field. SSA-02 covers rocket propulsion, launch vehicles, orbital mechanics, satellite systems and living and working in space. SSA-03 is a chronological history of space flight. SSA-04 covers space law, resource rights, militarization and environmental policy. SSA-05 covers the Moon, Mars, the outer planets and small bodies, station operations and commercial logistics.

Is it free, and do I need an account?

Yes. The lessons are free and open to read without an account. There is no accreditation or certificate attached: it is a self-directed curriculum built from primary sources.

How long does it take?

Each module is sized for one sitting, and the module pages estimate 20 to 35 minutes each. All of the modules on this page add up to about 18.3 hours of reading.