5.1 | Satellite Launches: Sputnik, swot & uvex | Rocket Science for Everyone with Yale's Marla Geha

Have you ever wondered why we send satellites into orbit? In this lesson, we explore the diverse motivations behind satellite missions by examining three complete examples: Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, SWOT, a current mission mapping Earth's surface water, and UVEX, a future ultraviolet explorer critical for astrophysical research. We delve into their launch specifics, payloads, and the scientific or practical goals they aim to achieve. 🎯 Learning Objectives • Explain the diverse motivations and goals behind launching different satellite missions. • Describe the historical context, launch, and payload of Sputnik 1. • Outline the mission objectives, launch details, and operational aspects of the SWOT satellite. • Detail the future mission, scientific importance, and proposed orbit of the UVEX satellite. • Compare and contrast the characteristics and purposes of past, present, and future satellite endeavors. 📚 About the Course 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. 📺 Watch the full playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh9mgdi4rNexC1fSWLlpQx_Gjj_0DhjVE 🎓 Enroll on Coursera for assessments and a certificate: https://www.coursera.org/learn/rocket-science-for-everyone 🌐 Explore more learning opportunities on Yale Online: https://online.yale.edu/courses/rocket-science-everyone #RocketScience #SatelliteLaunches #Sputnik #SWOT #UVEX #SpaceScience #STEM