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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in Transient Thermal Analysis for Payloads

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in transient thermal analysis for payloads: 8 modules covering nodal and geometrical thermal models, orbital transient analysis, thermo-elastic stability, detectors and cryogenics, model reduction and test correlation, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Build nodal thermal models of payloads.

02

Generate geometrical models and calculate view factors.

03

Analyse transient behaviour throughout the orbit.

04

Assess the thermo-elastic stability of optical instruments.

05

Analyse detectors and cryogenic systems.

06

Reduce and exchange thermal models between teams.

07

Correlate thermal models with test results.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Payload thermal analysts
  • Space instrument engineers
  • Thermomechanical engineers
  • Cryogenics engineers
  • Test engineers
  • Optical systems engineers
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the space sector
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ECSS-E-ST-31C (thermal control general requirements)
  • ECSS-E-ST-31-04C (exchange of thermal analysis data)
  • ECSS-E-HB-31-03A (thermal analysis handbook)
  • ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (space engineering testing)
  • ECSS-E-ST-10-04C (space environment)
  • ESATAN-TMS
  • Thermal Desktop
  • Systema Thermica
  • ANSYS Mechanical
  • MATLAB
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Nodal discretisation
  2. 1.2Linear and radiative conductances
  3. 1.3Boundary nodes
  4. 1.4Thermal capacities
  5. 1.5Internal dissipations
  6. 1.6Steady-state solvers
  7. 1.7Explicit and implicit transient solvers
  8. 1.8Time step and stability
  9. 1.9Convergence
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: nodal network of a detector
  1. 2.1Geometry of the radiative model
  2. 2.2Monte Carlo view factors
  3. 2.3Radiative exchange factors
  4. 2.4Specular and diffuse surfaces
  5. 2.5Orbital fluxes
  6. 2.6Articulations and pointing
  7. 2.7Shadows and eclipses
  8. 2.8Mesh refinement
  9. 2.9Verification of the geometrical model
  10. 2.10Laboratory: geometrical model of a telescope
  1. 3.1Analysis cases
  2. 3.2Repeated orbital cycles
  3. 3.3Payload operating modes
  4. 3.4Switch-on transients
  5. 3.5Long eclipses
  6. 3.6Manoeuvres and attitude changes
  7. 3.7Heater failures
  8. 3.8Gradients and stability
  9. 3.9Post-processing of results
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: orbital transient of a camera
  1. 4.1Optical stability requirements
  2. 4.2Coefficients of thermal expansion
  3. 4.3Low-expansion materials
  4. 4.4Temperature mapping to FEM
  5. 4.5Thermo-elastic analysis
  6. 4.6Pointing errors
  7. 4.7Defocus and wavefront deformation
  8. 4.8Precision thermal control
  9. 4.9STOP analysis
  10. 4.10Case study: stability of an optical bench
  1. 5.1Thermal requirements of detectors
  2. 5.2Passive radiative cooling
  3. 5.3Stirling and pulse-tube cryocoolers
  4. 5.4Insulation of cold stages
  5. 5.5Parasitic loads
  6. 5.6Temperature stability
  7. 5.7Contamination of cold surfaces
  8. 5.8Cryogenic testing
  9. 5.9Reference missions
  10. 5.10Laboratory: load budget of a cryogenic stage
  1. 6.1Reduction of detailed models
  2. 6.2Node condensation
  3. 6.3Interface models
  4. 6.4STEP-TAS exchange
  5. 6.5Instrument–platform coupling
  6. 6.6Version management
  7. 6.7Verification of reduced models
  8. 6.8Model documentation
  9. 6.9Coordination between teams
  10. 6.10Workshop: reduction of an instrument model
  1. 7.1Thermal vacuum testing of instruments
  2. 7.2Instrumentation plan
  3. 7.3Correlation criteria
  4. 7.4Parameter fitting
  5. 7.5Sensitivity analysis
  6. 7.6Uncertainties and margins
  7. 7.7Extrapolation to flight
  8. 7.8In-orbit correlation
  9. 7.9Lessons learnt
  10. 7.10Case study: correlation of an instrument model
  1. 8.1Instrument description
  2. 8.2Thermal requirements
  3. 8.3Geometrical and nodal model
  4. 8.4Transient analysis
  5. 8.5Thermo-elastic analysis
  6. 8.6Correlation plan
  7. 8.7Design recommendations
  8. 8.8Conclusions
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. You work with ESATAN-TMS, Thermal Desktop, Systema Thermica, ANSYS Mechanical and MATLAB in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: transient analysis of instruments in orbit, correlation of models with thermal vacuum tests and thermo-elastic analysis of optical instruments. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-31C, ECSS-E-ST-31-04C, ECSS-E-HB-31-03A, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C, ECSS-E-ST-10-04C.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ECSS-E-ST-31C, ECSS-E-ST-31-04C and ECSS-E-HB-31-03A applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ESATAN-TMS, Thermal Desktop, Systema Thermica, ANSYS Mechanical and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete transient thermal analysis of a space instrument, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Instrument and requirements
Describe the instrument and define its thermal requirements.
Geometrical and nodal model
Build the geometrical and nodal thermal models of the payload.
Transient and thermo-elastic analysis
Run the orbital transient and thermo-elastic analyses.
Correlation plan
Define the test correlation plan and design recommendations.
Final project
Present the payload thermal analysis report and conclusions to your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Payload thermal analystSpace instrument engineerThermomechanical engineerCryogenics engineerTest engineerOptical systems engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with ESATAN-TMS, Thermal Desktop, Systema Thermica, ANSYS Mechanical and MATLAB, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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