Diploma in Orbital Services and Orbital Robotics
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in on-orbit servicing and orbital robotics: 8 modules covering the servicing market and missions, space manipulator kinematics, dynamics and control of orbital robots, perception and teleoperation, end effectors, in-orbit assembly and manufacturing, and verification and operations, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the market and missions for on-orbit servicing.
Model the kinematics of space manipulators.
Control free-floating robots in contact.
Integrate perception and teleoperation with time delays.
Select end effectors and servicing interfaces.
Plan in-orbit assembly and manufacturing tasks.
Design the concept of a robotic servicing mission.
Who it's for
- Space robotics engineers
- GNC engineers
- Mechanisms engineers
- Mission systems engineers
- Orbital robotics operators
- Control software engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter on-orbit servicing
What you'll work with
- CONFERS Recommended Design and Operational Practices (on-orbit servicing good practice)
- ISO 24113:2023 (space debris mitigation requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-33-01C (space mechanisms)
- ECSS-E-ST-60-30C (satellite attitude and orbit control system requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-40C (space software engineering)
- ISO 14620-1 (space systems safety requirements)
- Convention on International Liability (1972) (liability for damage caused by space objects)
- ROS 2
- Gazebo
- MATLAB Robotics System Toolbox
- Basilisk
- MSC Adams
8 modules
1.1Service types: life extension, inspection and relocation1.2MEV-1 and MEV-2 missions1.3OSAM programmes and demonstrators1.4Satellites designed to be serviced1.5Business models and customers1.6Orbital logistics value chain1.7Technical and financial risks1.8Space insurance in servicing1.9Technology roadmap1.10Workshop: feasibility of a life-extension service
2.1Denavit-Hartenberg parameters2.2Forward and inverse kinematics2.3Jacobian and singularities2.4Free-floating base manipulators2.5Umetani-Yoshida generalised Jacobian2.6Resolving kinematic redundancy2.7Workspace and reach2.8Canadarm2 and ERA arms2.9Joint trajectory planning2.10Practical exercise: inverse kinematics of a redundant arm
3.1Newton-Euler and Lagrange formulation3.2Base–arm dynamic coupling3.3Conservation of angular momentum3.4Free-floating and controlled-base control3.5Impedance and admittance control3.6Force control in contact3.7Link and joint flexibility3.8Compensation of platform disturbances3.9Multibody simulation of the complete system3.10Laboratory: impedance control in simulated contact
4.1Stereoscopic vision in orbit4.23D reconstruction of the target4.3Tracking of grasp points4.4Teleoperation with time delays4.5Augmented reality and digital twins4.6Ground-supervised autonomy4.7Shared human–robot control4.8Haptic interfaces with force feedback4.9Orbital lighting and shadows4.10Practical exercise: teleoperating an arm with simulated delay
5.1Design of capture end effectors5.2Standard servicing interfaces5.3Grasping launcher rings and nozzles5.4Robotic servicing tools5.5Fluid transfer interfaces5.6ORU replacement5.7Wrist force-torque sensors5.8Tolerances and alignment5.9Thermal management of tools5.10Case study: end-effector selection for a legacy satellite
6.1Robotic assembly of large structures6.2Telescopes assembled in orbit6.3Additive manufacturing in microgravity6.4Modular and reconfigurable structures6.5Mechanical joints for assembly6.6Metrology during assembly6.7Assembly task planning6.8Modular stations and platforms6.9Demonstrations on the ISS6.10Case study: assembly sequence of an antenna
7.1Air-bearing microgravity test beds7.2Robotic HIL simulators7.3Contact tests with moving targets7.4Servicing mission operations7.5Collision risk management during servicing7.6Safety standards for servicing7.7Contingency procedures7.8Communication with the client operator7.9Applying the CONFERS practices7.10Laboratory: capture test on an air-bearing bench
8.1Definition of the service and client8.2Mission requirements8.3Robotic system design8.4Perception and control strategy8.5Servicing interfaces8.6Robotic verification plan8.7Service concept of operations8.8Risk and safety analysis8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 ROS 2, Gazebo, MATLAB Robotics System Toolbox, Basilisk and MSC Adams in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: simulating capture with free-floating manipulators, grasp tests on microgravity test beds and planning life-extension missions. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: CONFERS Recommended Design and Operational Practices, ISO 24113:2023, ECSS-E-ST-33-01C, ECSS-E-ST-60-30C, ECSS-E-ST-40C, ISO 14620-1, Convention on International Liability (1972).
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
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.
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 ROS 2, Gazebo, MATLAB Robotics System Toolbox, Basilisk and MSC Adams, 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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