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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in Ground Segment Architecture and Operations

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in ground segment architecture and operations. 8 modules covering ground segment architecture, ground stations, mission control centres, mission planning, flight operations, payload data processing and ground segment as a service, 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

Design the architecture of a space ground segment.

02

Specify ground stations and their antennas.

03

Configure mission control systems.

04

Plan operations and communication passes.

05

Carry out operating procedures across the mission phases.

06

Organise payload data processing and distribution.

07

Assess ground segment as a service models.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Ground segment engineers.
  • Satellite operations engineers.
  • Flight controllers.
  • Ground station engineers.
  • Mission planners.
  • Data processing engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to join a satellite operator.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ECSS-E-ST-70C (ground systems and operations)
  • ECSS-E-ST-70-41C (telemetry and telecommand packet utilisation (PUS))
  • ECSS-E-ST-70-31C (ground systems and operations: monitoring and control data definition)
  • CCSDS 133.0-B (Space Packet Protocol)
  • CCSDS 132.0-B (TM Space Data Link Protocol)
  • CCSDS 401.0-B (radio frequency and modulation systems)
  • ITU Radio Regulations (international spectrum regulation)
  • Yamcs
  • ESA SCOS-2000
  • Open MCT
  • GNU Radio
  • STK
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Ground segment elements
  2. 1.2Requirements according to ECSS-E-ST-70C
  3. 1.3Interfaces with the space segment
  4. 1.4Control centre and mission centres
  5. 1.5Terrestrial networks and communications
  6. 1.6Availability and redundancy
  7. 1.7Ground segment cybersecurity
  8. 1.8Life cycle costs
  9. 1.9Ground segment reviews
  10. 1.10Workshop: ground segment architecture for a LEO mission
  1. 2.1Parabolic antennas and tracking
  2. 2.2S, X and Ka bands
  3. 2.3G/T figure of merit
  4. 2.4Front end and receivers
  5. 2.5Modems and baseband units
  6. 2.6Station networks and polarisation
  7. 2.7Shared station services
  8. 2.8Licensing and coordination
  9. 2.9Station maintenance
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: G/T calculation for a station
  1. 3.1Monitoring and control systems
  2. 3.2Telemetry and telecommand database
  3. 3.3PUS services
  4. 3.4Automated procedures
  5. 3.5Telemetry visualisation
  6. 3.6Data archiving and retrieval
  7. 3.7Satellite simulator
  8. 3.8Alarm management
  9. 3.9Interfaces with flight dynamics
  10. 3.10Lab: Yamcs configuration
  1. 4.1Pass planning
  2. 4.2Payload planning
  3. 4.3Onboard resource constraints
  4. 4.4Automated planning
  5. 4.5User request management
  6. 4.6Scheduling of time-tagged telecommands
  7. 4.7Conflicts and priorities
  8. 4.8Constellation planning
  9. 4.9Service indicators
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: weekly plan for an observation satellite
  1. 5.1Launch and LEOP
  2. 5.2In-orbit commissioning
  3. 5.3Routine operations
  4. 5.4Anomaly management
  5. 5.5Contingency procedures
  6. 5.6Shifts and human factors
  7. 5.7Controller training
  8. 5.8End-of-life operations
  9. 5.9Lessons from operations
  10. 5.10Case study: simulation of a LEOP contingency
  1. 6.1Processing chains
  2. 6.2Product levels
  3. 6.3Calibration and validation
  4. 6.4Catalogues and metadata
  5. 6.5Distribution to users
  6. 6.6Long-term archiving
  7. 6.7Cloud processing
  8. 6.8Quality of service
  9. 6.9Data policies
  10. 6.10Case study: optical image processing chain
  1. 7.1GSaaS models
  2. 7.2Commercial station networks
  3. 7.3Modem virtualisation
  4. 7.4Software-defined radio
  5. 7.5Containers and orchestration
  6. 7.6Operations automation
  7. 7.7Cloud cybersecurity
  8. 7.8Cost models
  9. 7.9Suppliers and contracts
  10. 7.10Workshop: comparison of GSaaS offers
  1. 8.1Mission requirements
  2. 8.2Proposed architecture
  3. 8.3Station network
  4. 8.4Mission control system
  5. 8.5Concept of operations
  6. 8.6Data processing chain
  7. 8.7Cost and risk analysis
  8. 8.8Conclusions
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online 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. The working software is Yamcs, ESA SCOS-2000, Open MCT, GNU Radio and STK, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for configuring a mission control system, planning ground station passes and simulating LEOP operations. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-70C, ECSS-E-ST-70-41C, ECSS-E-ST-70-31C, CCSDS 133.0-B, CCSDS 132.0-B, CCSDS 401.0-B, ITU Radio Regulations.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ECSS-E-ST-70C, ECSS-E-ST-70-41C and ECSS-E-ST-70-31C applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Yamcs, ESA SCOS-2000, Open MCT, GNU Radio and STK, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:A ground segment project covering architecture, station network, mission control system, concept of operations and data processing chain, 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.

Requirements and architecture
Define the mission requirements and the ground segment architecture.
Station network
Size the ground station network and its G/T link performance.
Mission control system
Configure the mission control system and its TM/TC database in Yamcs.
Operations and data chain
Write the concept of operations and design the payload data processing chain.
Final project
A complete ground segment design with cost and risk analysis, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Ground segment engineerSatellite operations engineerFlight controllerGround station engineerMission plannerData processing engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • 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 Yamcs, ESA SCOS-2000, Open MCT, GNU Radio and STK, 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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