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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in Hall/Ion Thrusters and PPU

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Hall/ion thrusters and PPUs: 8 modules covering electric propulsion fundamentals, applied plasma physics, Hall-effect and gridded ion thrusters, power processing units, platform integration and qualification testing, 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

Compare electric propulsion systems by specific impulse and power.

02

Explain the plasma physics applied to thrusters.

03

Analyse the operation of Hall-effect thrusters.

04

Analyse gridded ion thrusters and alternative technologies.

05

Design power processing units.

06

Integrate electric propulsion into the satellite platform.

07

Plan qualification and lifetime tests.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Electric propulsion engineers
  • Space power electronics engineers
  • Propulsion test engineers
  • Plasma physics researchers
  • Satellite systems engineers
  • Propulsion integration engineers
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the space sector
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ECSS-E-ST-35C (space propulsion general requirements)
  • ECSS-E-ST-35-01C (liquid and electric propulsion for spacecraft)
  • ECSS-E-ST-20C (electrical and electronic engineering)
  • ECSS-E-ST-20-06C (spacecraft charging)
  • ISO 24113 (space debris mitigation requirements)
  • ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (space engineering testing)
  • SPIS
  • COMSOL Multiphysics
  • PLECS
  • LTspice
  • MATLAB/Simulink
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Specific impulse and thrust
  2. 1.2Power-to-thrust ratio
  3. 1.3Electrothermal, electrostatic and electromagnetic classification
  4. 1.4Propellants: xenon, krypton and iodine
  5. 1.5Reference missions
  6. 1.6Comparison with chemical propulsion
  7. 1.7Specific impulse optimisation
  8. 1.8System mass
  9. 1.9Market trends
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: comparing systems for a transfer to GEO
  1. 2.1Ionisation and collisions
  2. 2.2Electron temperature and density
  3. 2.3Debye length and sheaths
  4. 2.4Motion in magnetic fields
  5. 2.5Anomalous diffusion
  6. 2.6Langmuir probes
  7. 2.7Fluid models
  8. 2.8Particle-in-cell (PIC) models
  9. 2.9Emission spectroscopy
  10. 2.10Laboratory: analysis of Langmuir probe curves
  1. 3.1Operating principle
  2. 3.2Magnetic topology
  3. 3.3Hollow cathodes
  4. 3.4Channel and erosion
  5. 3.5Magnetic shielding
  6. 3.6Performance and scaling
  7. 3.7Plasma oscillations
  8. 3.8Lifetime
  9. 3.9Commercial models
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: estimating the performance of a Hall thruster
  1. 4.1Gridded ion thrusters
  2. 4.2Plasma generation by RF or discharge
  3. 4.3Ion optics and grid erosion
  4. 4.4Neutralisation
  5. 4.5HEMPT thrusters
  6. 4.6FEEP thrusters
  7. 4.7Helicon plasma thrusters
  8. 4.8Electric propulsion for CubeSats
  9. 4.9Technology comparison
  10. 4.10Case study: thruster selection for a microsatellite
  1. 5.1PPU architecture
  2. 5.2High-voltage converters
  3. 5.3Anode and discharge supply
  4. 5.4Cathode and coil supply
  5. 5.5Control and telemetry
  6. 5.6Efficiency and thermal management
  7. 5.7Arc protection
  8. 5.8Components and radiation
  9. 5.9PPU testing
  10. 5.10Laboratory: simulation of a discharge converter
  1. 6.1Xenon feed system
  2. 6.2Flow regulators
  3. 6.3High-pressure tanks
  4. 6.4Thruster pointing mechanisms
  5. 6.5Plume interaction
  6. 6.6Spacecraft charging
  7. 6.7Electromagnetic compatibility
  8. 6.8Power budget
  9. 6.9Electric propulsion operations
  10. 6.10Case study: integration in a telecommunications satellite
  1. 7.1Vacuum chambers and pumping
  2. 7.2Background pressure effects
  3. 7.3Thrust measurement
  4. 7.4Plume diagnostics
  5. 7.5Lifetime testing
  6. 7.6Erosion models
  7. 7.7Environmental testing
  8. 7.8Qualification according to ECSS
  9. 7.9Lessons from programmes
  10. 7.10Workshop: lifetime test plan for a thruster
  1. 8.1Mission requirements
  2. 8.2Thruster selection
  3. 8.3System sizing
  4. 8.4PPU design
  5. 8.5Platform integration
  6. 8.6Test plan
  7. 8.7Technical risks
  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 SPIS, COMSOL Multiphysics, PLECS, LTspice and MATLAB/Simulink in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: sizing electric propulsion systems, simulating power processing unit stages and analysing plume interaction with the satellite. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-35C, ECSS-E-ST-35-01C, ECSS-E-ST-20C, ECSS-E-ST-20-06C, ISO 24113, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ECSS-E-ST-35C, ECSS-E-ST-35-01C and ECSS-E-ST-20C applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:SPIS, COMSOL Multiphysics, PLECS, LTspice and MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:The design of a complete space electric propulsion system, 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.

Mission requirements and thruster
Define the mission requirements and select the thruster.
System sizing
Size the electric propulsion system and its feed system.
PPU design
Design the power processing unit.
Integration and testing
Plan platform integration, the test campaign and technical risks.
Final project
Present the complete electric propulsion design and conclusions to your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Electric propulsion engineerSpace power electronics engineerPropulsion test engineerPlasma physics researcherSatellite systems engineerPropulsion integration 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 SPIS, COMSOL Multiphysics, PLECS, LTspice and MATLAB/Simulink, 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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