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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in Orbital Mechanics and Maneuvers

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in orbital mechanics and manoeuvres. 8 modules covering the two-body problem, orbital perturbations, application orbits, impulsive manoeuvres, relative motion and rendezvous, low-thrust and station-keeping, and orbit determination, 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

Solve the two-body problem and describe orbits using classical elements.

02

Model the main orbital perturbations.

03

Select suitable orbits for each application.

04

Calculate impulsive manoeuvres and delta-v budgets.

05

Analyse relative motion and rendezvous manoeuvres.

06

Plan low-thrust manoeuvres and orbit station-keeping.

07

Determine orbits from observations.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Flight dynamics engineers.
  • Mission analysts.
  • Satellite operations engineers.
  • GNC engineers.
  • Orbit determination specialists.
  • Space systems consultants.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the space sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 24113 (space debris mitigation requirements)
  • CCSDS 502.0-B (Orbit Data Messages)
  • IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (inter-agency debris mitigation guidelines)
  • ECSS-U-AS-10C (space sustainability: debris mitigation)
  • CCSDS 508.0-B (Conjunction Data Message)
  • NASA-STD-8719.14 (process for limiting orbital debris)
  • GMAT
  • STK
  • Orekit
  • poliastro
  • MATLAB
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Kepler's laws and gravitation
  2. 1.2Constants of motion
  3. 1.3Conic sections
  4. 1.4Kepler's equation
  5. 1.5Classical orbital elements
  6. 1.6State vectors
  7. 1.7Conversion between elements and state
  8. 1.8Time scales and reference frames
  9. 1.9True, eccentric and mean anomalies
  10. 1.10Practical exercise: Keplerian propagation in Python
  1. 2.1Earth oblateness and J2
  2. 2.2Atmospheric drag
  3. 2.3Solar radiation pressure
  4. 2.4Third body: Sun and Moon
  5. 2.5Gauss and Lagrange planetary equations
  6. 2.6Mean and osculating elements
  7. 2.7SGP4 model and TLEs
  8. 2.8High-precision numerical propagation
  9. 2.9Numerical integrators
  10. 2.10Lab: comparison between SGP4 and numerical propagation
  1. 3.1LEO, MEO and GEO orbits
  2. 3.2Sun-synchronous orbits
  3. 3.3Molniya and Tundra orbits
  4. 3.4Repeat ground track
  5. 3.5Frozen orbits
  6. 3.6Coverage and revisit
  7. 3.7Eclipses and seasons
  8. 3.8Visibility from ground stations
  9. 3.9Orbit selection criteria
  10. 3.10Workshop: design of a sun-synchronous orbit
  1. 4.1Hohmann transfer
  2. 4.2Bi-elliptic transfer
  3. 4.3Plane change
  4. 4.4Combined manoeuvres
  5. 4.5Phasing manoeuvres
  6. 4.6Tsiolkovsky equation
  7. 4.7Delta-v budget
  8. 4.8Gravity losses
  9. 4.9Finite-thrust manoeuvres
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: delta-v budget from GTO to GEO
  1. 5.1Clohessy-Wiltshire equations
  2. 5.2LVLH reference frame
  3. 5.3Approach phases
  4. 5.4Rendezvous manoeuvres
  5. 5.5Lambert's problem
  6. 5.6Formation flying
  7. 5.7On-orbit inspection
  8. 5.8Proximity operations safety
  9. 5.9Docking with the ISS
  10. 5.10Lab: approach using the Clohessy-Wiltshire equations
  1. 6.1Continuous thrust and spirals
  2. 6.2Electric orbit raising to GEO
  3. 6.3North-south and east-west station-keeping
  4. 6.4Station-keeping in low Earth orbit
  5. 6.5Trajectory optimisation
  6. 6.6Phase control in constellations
  7. 6.7Orbit raising after injection
  8. 6.8End-of-life manoeuvres
  9. 6.9Propellant consumption
  10. 6.10Case study: station-keeping of a geostationary satellite
  1. 7.1Observables: range, Doppler and angles
  2. 7.2Onboard GNSS navigation
  3. 7.3Least-squares estimation
  4. 7.4Extended Kalman filter
  5. 7.5Covariance and realism
  6. 7.6CCSDS orbit messages
  7. 7.7Manoeuvre planning and calibration
  8. 7.8Deorbiting and mitigation rules
  9. 7.9Coordination with space surveillance
  10. 7.10Practical exercise: orbit determination with GNSS data
  1. 8.1Mission requirements
  2. 8.2Orbit selection
  3. 8.3Perturbation analysis
  4. 8.4Injection and transfer strategy
  5. 8.5Station-keeping plan
  6. 8.6Delta-v budget
  7. 8.7End-of-life plan
  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 GMAT, STK, Orekit, poliastro and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for orbit propagation with analytical and numerical models, delta-v budget calculation and orbit determination with GNSS data. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ISO 24113, CCSDS 502.0-B, IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, ECSS-U-AS-10C, CCSDS 508.0-B, NASA-STD-8719.14.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 24113, CCSDS 502.0-B and the IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:GMAT, STK, Orekit, poliastro and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:An orbital manoeuvres project covering orbit selection, transfer strategy, station-keeping, delta-v budget and end-of-life plan, 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 orbit
Define the mission requirements and select the operational orbit.
Perturbation analysis
Propagate the orbit with SGP4 and numerical models to assess perturbations.
Transfer and delta-v budget
Design the injection and transfer strategy and compute the delta-v budget.
Station-keeping and end of life
Plan station-keeping and the end-of-life manoeuvres under debris mitigation rules.
Final project
A complete orbital manoeuvres project, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Flight dynamics engineerMission analystSatellite operations engineerGNC engineerOrbit determination specialistSpace systems consultant
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 GMAT, STK, Orekit, poliastro 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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