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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in Satellite AIT: Environmental and Functional Testing

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Satellite AIT: Environmental and Functional Testing. 8 modules covering assembly, integration and testing, mechanical, thermal-vacuum and EMC testing and the launch campaign under ECSS-E-ST-10-03C and ECSS-E-ST-10-02C, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration800 hours · 6–8 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

Understand the AIT philosophy and development models.

02

Plan the mechanical and electrical integration of a satellite.

03

Define functional and system-level tests.

04

Specify mechanical qualification and acceptance tests.

05

Analyse thermal vacuum tests.

06

Apply electromagnetic compatibility requirements.

07

Organise a launch campaign.

Profile

Who it's for

  • AIT engineers looking to deepen their environmental and functional testing expertise.
  • Environmental test engineers working on spacecraft qualification and acceptance.
  • Electrical integration engineers on satellite programmes.
  • Cleanroom technicians moving into AIT engineering roles.
  • Verification engineers who need a solid grounding in satellite test campaigns.
  • Launch campaign managers and coordinators.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join satellite manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (space engineering testing)
  • ECSS-E-ST-10-02C (verification)
  • ECSS-E-HB-10-02A (verification guidelines handbook)
  • ECSS-E-ST-20-07C (electromagnetic compatibility)
  • ECSS-Q-ST-70-01C (cleanliness and contamination control)
  • ECSS-E-ST-31C (thermal control)
  • ISO 14644-1 (cleanroom air cleanliness classification)
  • NASA-STD-7001B (payload vibroacoustic test criteria)
  • MATLAB
  • LabVIEW
  • Femap with NX Nastran
  • ESATAN-TMS
  • Python (pandas)
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1AIT philosophy and development models
  2. 1.2Structural, thermal and engineering models
  3. 1.3Flight model and protoflight
  4. 1.4Satellite AIT planning
  5. 1.5Cleanroom facilities
  6. 1.6Contamination control and ESD
  7. 1.7Satellite handling and transport
  8. 1.8MGSE and EGSE ground support equipment
  9. 1.9Configuration management in AIT
  10. 1.10Workshop: AIT sequence of a microsatellite
  1. 2.1Integration of the structure and panels
  2. 2.2Mounting of equipment and inserts
  3. 2.3Harnesses and connectors
  4. 2.4Continuity and insulation tests
  5. 2.5Propulsion integration
  6. 2.6Alignment of sensors and instruments
  7. 2.7Mass properties measurement
  8. 2.8Mechanism integration
  9. 2.9Integration records and procedures
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: integration procedure for a unit
  1. 3.1Satellite performance tests
  2. 3.2Subsystem tests
  3. 3.3Software-in-the-loop testing
  4. 3.4Electrical system tests
  5. 3.5RF compatibility tests
  6. 3.6End-to-end mission tests
  7. 3.7Tests with the ground segment
  8. 3.8Test scripts and automation
  9. 3.9Telemetry analysis
  10. 3.10Lab: functional test script with EGSE
  1. 4.1Launch environment and loads
  2. 4.2Sine vibration tests
  3. 4.3Random vibration tests
  4. 4.4Acoustic tests in a reverberant chamber
  5. 4.5Pyroshock and separation
  6. 4.6Notching and force limiting
  7. 4.7Qualification and acceptance levels
  8. 4.8Results analysis and comparison with FEM
  9. 4.9Post-test inspections
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: random vibration test plan
  1. 5.1Thermal vacuum cycling
  2. 5.2Thermal balance test
  3. 5.3Thermal vacuum chambers
  4. 5.4Satellite thermal instrumentation
  5. 5.5Thermal model correlation
  6. 5.6Outgassing tests
  7. 5.7Temperature margins
  8. 5.8Controlled-atmosphere tests
  9. 5.9Failures detected in thermal tests
  10. 5.10Case study: analysis of a thermal balance test
  1. 6.1System EMC requirements
  2. 6.2Conducted and radiated emissions
  3. 6.3Conducted and radiated susceptibility
  4. 6.4Electrostatic discharge tests
  5. 6.5Self-compatibility tests
  6. 6.6Magnetic fields and magnetic cleanliness
  7. 6.7Measurements in anechoic chambers
  8. 6.8Launch vehicle compatibility
  9. 6.9Antenna measurements
  10. 6.10Case study: resolving an EMC non-conformance
  1. 7.1Acceptance and readiness reviews
  2. 7.2Transport to the spaceport
  3. 7.3Launch site operations
  4. 7.4Propellant loading
  5. 7.5Integration on the launch vehicle adapter
  6. 7.6Final tests and battery charging
  7. 7.7Launch readiness review
  8. 7.8Launch site safety
  9. 7.9In-orbit commissioning operations
  10. 7.10Case study: launch campaign schedule
  1. 8.1Satellite description
  2. 8.2Model philosophy
  3. 8.3Integration plan
  4. 8.4Test matrix
  5. 8.5Environmental test specification
  6. 8.6Functional test plan
  7. 8.7Required facilities and equipment
  8. 8.8Schedule and risks
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training 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 the intake, so the programme fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, LabVIEW, Femap with NX Nastran, ESATAN-TMS and Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied using real procedures from satellite vibration and acoustic campaigns, thermal balance tests in vacuum chambers and functional tests with EGSE. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-10-03C, ECSS-E-ST-10-02C, ECSS-E-HB-10-02A, ECSS-E-ST-20-07C, ECSS-Q-ST-70-01C, ECSS-E-ST-31C, ISO 14644-1, NASA-STD-7001B.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ECSS-E-ST-10-03C, ECSS-E-ST-10-02C and ECSS-E-HB-10-02A applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB, LabVIEW, Femap with NX Nastran, ESATAN-TMS and Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete AIT plan for a satellite, from model philosophy and test matrix to schedule and risks, 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.

Define the AIT sequence
Draw up the AIT sequence and model philosophy for a microsatellite.
Write an integration procedure
Prepare the integration procedure for a unit, including records and checks.
Script a functional test
Develop a functional test script with EGSE and analyse the telemetry.
Plan environmental tests
Specify the random vibration and thermal balance tests with their qualification levels.
Final project
A complete AIT plan for a satellite, from model philosophy and test matrix to schedule and risks, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

AIT engineerEnvironmental test engineerElectrical integration engineerCleanroom technicianVerification engineerLaunch campaign manager
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 MATLAB, LabVIEW, Femap with NX Nastran, ESATAN-TMS and Python (pandas), 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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