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Master'sAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Master’s in GNC Engineering for Space

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in space GNC engineering: 12 modules covering attitude dynamics, sensors and actuators, attitude determination and control, orbital navigation and guidance, FDIR, GNC software, verification and advanced GNC, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the attitude dynamics of spacecraft.

02

Select attitude sensors and actuators.

03

Design attitude determination algorithms.

04

Design attitude and orbit controllers.

05

Develop mode and FDIR strategies.

06

Verify GNC through simulation and testing.

07

Apply advanced GNC techniques.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Space GNC engineers looking to deepen their expertise across the full GNC chain.
  • AOCS engineers who want to broaden into navigation, guidance and autonomy.
  • Control software engineers moving into on-board flight software for spacecraft.
  • Flight dynamics engineers who want to master attitude and orbit control.
  • GNC verification engineers seeking a solid grounding in design and Monte Carlo analysis.
  • Researchers in space control who want an applied, industry-oriented perspective.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the space sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ECSS-E-ST-60-10C (control performance)
  • ECSS-E-ST-60-20C (star sensors)
  • ECSS-E-ST-60-30C (satellite attitude and orbit control system requirements)
  • ECSS-E-ST-40C (space software engineering)
  • ECSS-Q-ST-80C (software product assurance)
  • ECSS-E-HB-60A (control engineering handbook)
  • ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (testing)
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • Basilisk
  • STK
  • GMAT
  • 42 Spacecraft Simulation
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Attitude representation: Euler angles
  2. 1.2Quaternions and rotation matrices
  3. 1.3Euler's equations for the rigid body
  4. 1.4Attitude kinematics
  5. 1.5Disturbance torques: gravity gradient
  6. 1.6Aerodynamic and radiation torques
  7. 1.7Residual magnetic torques
  8. 1.8Flexible-body dynamics
  9. 1.9Liquid propellant dynamics
  10. 1.10Lab: attitude dynamics simulation with quaternions
  1. 2.1Sun and Earth sensors
  2. 2.2Three-axis magnetometers
  3. 2.3Star trackers
  4. 2.4Fibre-optic and MEMS gyroscopes
  5. 2.5On-board GNSS receivers
  6. 2.6Sensor errors and calibration
  7. 2.7Sensors for nanosatellites
  8. 2.8Sensor selection
  9. 2.9Integration and alignment
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: star tracker error model
  1. 3.1Reaction wheels
  2. 3.2Momentum wheels
  3. 3.3Control moment gyroscopes
  4. 3.4Magnetorquers and magnetic control
  5. 3.5Attitude thrusters
  6. 3.6Wheel desaturation
  7. 3.7Pyramid wheel configuration
  8. 3.8Actuator selection
  9. 3.9Actuator vibrations
  10. 3.10Lab: wheel sizing for a 60-degree manoeuvre
  1. 4.1TRIAD determination method
  2. 4.2Wahba's problem and QUEST
  3. 4.3Multiplicative Kalman filter
  4. 4.4Gyroscope bias estimation
  5. 4.5Sensor fusion
  6. 4.6Attitude observability
  7. 4.7Determination with nanosatellites
  8. 4.8Accuracy required by the mission
  9. 4.9Validation in simulation
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: MEKF filter with star tracker and gyroscopes
  1. 5.1PD and PID attitude control
  2. 5.2Quaternion-based control
  3. 5.3Non-linear and Lyapunov control
  4. 5.4Fine pointing control
  5. 5.5Detumbling with magnetorquers
  6. 5.6Fast manoeuvre control
  7. 5.7Robust H-infinity control
  8. 5.8Predictive attitude control
  9. 5.9Stability and margins
  10. 5.10Lab: pointing controller in Simulink
  1. 6.1GNSS navigation in LEO
  2. 6.2Autonomous on-board navigation
  3. 6.3Radiometric navigation
  4. 6.4Optical navigation with images
  5. 6.5On-board orbital filters
  6. 6.6Deep-space navigation
  7. 6.7Relative navigation between vehicles
  8. 6.8Navigation using stars and planets
  9. 6.9Navigation accuracy
  10. 6.10Practical exercise: on-board orbit estimator with GNSS
  1. 7.1Manoeuvre guidance
  2. 7.2Propulsion control
  3. 7.3Formation keeping
  4. 7.4Autonomous rendezvous and docking
  5. 7.5Planetary landing guidance
  6. 7.6Re-entry guidance
  7. 7.7Low-thrust guidance
  8. 7.8Formation flying control
  9. 7.9Propellant management
  10. 7.10Case study: approach guidance to a space station
  1. 8.1AOCS operating modes
  2. 8.2Safe and survival mode
  3. 8.3AOCS FDIR
  4. 8.4Sensor failure detection
  5. 8.5Actuator reconfiguration
  6. 8.6On-board autonomy
  7. 8.7Anomaly management
  8. 8.8Lessons from mission failures
  9. 8.9Mode transition design
  10. 8.10Practical exercise: FDIR logic for a wheel failure
  1. 9.1AOCS software architecture
  2. 9.2Automatic code generation
  3. 9.3ECSS software standards
  4. 9.4LEON and ARM space processors
  5. 9.5Real time and scheduling
  6. 9.6Software verification
  7. 9.7Closed-loop testing
  8. 9.8Flight software qualification
  9. 9.9Configuration management
  10. 9.10Lab: code generation from Simulink
  1. 10.1High-fidelity simulation
  2. 10.2Model-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop
  3. 10.3Hardware-in-the-loop
  4. 10.4Air-bearing tables
  5. 10.5Sensor testing with stimuli
  6. 10.6In-orbit validation
  7. 10.7Test campaigns
  8. 10.8Monte Carlo analysis
  9. 10.9Verification documentation
  10. 10.10Workshop: Monte Carlo pointing campaign
  1. 11.1Vision-based GNC
  2. 11.2Artificial intelligence in GNC
  3. 11.3Asteroid navigation
  4. 11.4Control of large structures
  5. 11.5Space debris capture
  6. 11.6Satellite swarm missions
  7. 11.7Precision lunar landing
  8. 11.8In-orbit servicing
  9. 11.9Technology trends in GNC
  10. 11.10Case study: visual navigation during an asteroid approach
  1. 12.1Mission GNC requirements
  2. 12.2Sensor and actuator selection
  3. 12.3Estimator design
  4. 12.4Controller design
  5. 12.5Mode and FDIR design
  6. 12.6High-fidelity AOCS simulator
  7. 12.7Statistical analysis of pointing performance
  8. 12.8Verification plan
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis: written report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 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 MATLAB/Simulink, Basilisk, STK, GMAT and 42 Spacecraft Simulation, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for high-fidelity AOCS simulations, air-bearing table tests and Monte Carlo campaigns. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-60-10C, ECSS-E-ST-60-20C, ECSS-E-ST-60-30C, ECSS-E-ST-40C, ECSS-Q-ST-80C, ECSS-E-HB-60A, 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-60-10C, ECSS-E-ST-60-20C and ECSS-E-ST-60-30C applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB/Simulink, Basilisk, STK, GMAT and 42 Spacecraft Simulation, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete GNC/AOCS design for a space mission, with a high-fidelity simulator and statistical pointing analysis, defended before a panel.
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 GNC requirements
Define the GNC requirements of the mission and select sensors and actuators.
Estimator design
Design an MEKF attitude estimator combining star tracker and gyroscopes.
Controller and FDIR design
Design the pointing controller, operating modes and FDIR logic.
High-fidelity AOCS simulator
Build the AOCS simulator and run a Monte Carlo pointing campaign.
Master's Thesis
Present the complete GNC design with its verification plan, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Space GNC engineerAOCS engineerControl software engineerFlight dynamics engineerGNC verification engineerSpace control researcher
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with MATLAB/Simulink, Basilisk, STK, GMAT and 42 Spacecraft Simulation, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme 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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