Apply now
Master'sAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Master’s in HAPS & Stratospheric Platforms Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in HAPS and stratospheric platform engineering, structured in 12 modules covering the stratospheric environment, HAPS types, low-Reynolds aerodynamics, solar energy and storage, ultralight structures, propulsion and flight control, communications and observation payloads, operations, airspace regulation and business models, 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 stratospheric environment and its design constraints.

02

Analyse the different types of HAPS platforms.

03

Design aerodynamics and ultralight structures.

04

Size solar energy and storage systems.

05

Integrate communications and observation payloads.

06

Plan operations and airspace integration.

07

Assess the economic viability of HAPS services.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Stratospheric platform engineers.
  • Energy systems engineers working on solar power and storage.
  • Payload engineers for communications and Earth observation.
  • Long-endurance operations specialists.
  • Non-terrestrial network communications engineers.
  • Mission analysts.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aerospace sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft)
  • Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (EU common rules in civil aviation and EASA)
  • ITU Radio Regulations (international spectrum allocation)
  • 3GPP TR 38.821 (NR support for non-terrestrial networks)
  • ICAO Doc 10019 (Manual on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems)
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 923/2012 SERA (standardised European rules of the air)
  • CS-23 (EASA certification specifications for normal-category aeroplanes)
  • XFOIL
  • MATLAB
  • OpenVSP
  • STK
  • ANSYS Mechanical
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Structure of the atmosphere
  2. 1.2Conditions in the stratosphere: pressure and temperature
  3. 1.3Stratospheric winds and the QBO
  4. 1.4Solar radiation and ozone
  5. 1.5Turbulence at altitude
  6. 1.6Wind climatology by latitude
  7. 1.7Ascent and descent windows
  8. 1.8Airspace above FL600
  9. 1.9Comparison with low Earth orbit
  10. 1.10Case study: wind analysis for a station over the Mediterranean
  1. 2.1Large-span solar aircraft
  2. 2.2Long-endurance stratospheric airships
  3. 2.3Zero-pressure and superpressure balloons
  4. 2.4Hybrid aerostatic and aerodynamic platforms
  5. 2.5Examples: Zephyr, Sunglider and Stratobus
  6. 2.6Comparison of payload and endurance
  7. 2.7Station keeping versus drift
  8. 2.8Costs and technology readiness
  9. 2.9Industry roadmap
  10. 2.10Workshop: platform selection matrix by mission
  1. 3.1Reynolds numbers in the stratosphere
  2. 3.2High-lift aerofoils
  3. 3.3Laminar separation bubbles
  4. 3.4High-aspect-ratio wings
  5. 3.5Aeroelasticity and flutter
  6. 3.6Low-density propellers
  7. 3.7Airship aerostatics
  8. 3.8Drag of bodies of revolution
  9. 3.9Calculation tools
  10. 3.10Lab: aerofoil polar at Re 200,000 with XFOIL
  1. 4.1High-efficiency solar cells
  2. 4.2Lightweight flexible panels
  3. 4.3Day and night cycle
  4. 4.4Lithium–sulphur and solid-state batteries
  5. 4.5Regenerative fuel cells
  6. 4.6Annual energy balance
  7. 4.7Latitude and season
  8. 4.8Battery thermal management
  9. 4.9Component degradation
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: energy balance at the winter solstice
  1. 5.1High-modulus composite materials
  2. 5.2Envelope membranes and fabrics
  3. 5.3Inflatable and pressurised structures
  4. 5.4Gust and manoeuvre loads
  5. 5.5Fragility during ground handling
  6. 5.6Thermal fatigue from cycling
  7. 5.7Joints and manufacturing
  8. 5.8Structural testing of components
  9. 5.9Mass optimisation
  10. 5.10Case study: spar for a high-aspect-ratio wing
  1. 6.1High-efficiency electric motors
  2. 6.2Large-diameter propellers
  3. 6.3Altitude control in balloons
  4. 6.4Buoyancy control
  5. 6.5Long-endurance autopilots
  6. 6.6Wind-aided navigation
  7. 6.7Station-keeping algorithms
  8. 6.8Reliability for months of operation
  9. 6.9Failure modes
  10. 6.10Lab: station-keeping simulation with real winds
  1. 7.1Broadband services from HAPS
  2. 7.2HIBS in 3GPP
  3. 7.3Multi-beam antennas
  4. 7.4Coverage compared with satellites
  5. 7.5Integration with 5G networks
  6. 7.6Frequencies allocated by the ITU
  7. 7.7Optical backhaul between platforms
  8. 7.8Latency and capacity
  9. 7.9Use cases in remote areas
  10. 7.10Practical exercise: link budget of a HAPS for 5G
  1. 8.1Persistent Earth observation
  2. 8.2High-resolution cameras
  3. 8.3SAR radar on HAPS
  4. 8.4Environmental and atmospheric monitoring
  5. 8.5Emergency management
  6. 8.6Wildfire surveillance
  7. 8.7Comparison with satellites and drones
  8. 8.8Data management
  9. 8.9On-board processing
  10. 8.10Case study: wildfire monitoring mission
  1. 9.1Launch and ascent
  2. 9.2Transit through the troposphere
  3. 9.3Management in controlled airspace
  4. 9.4Recovery and landing
  5. 9.5Control stations
  6. 9.6Mission planning
  7. 9.7Operational meteorology for launch
  8. 9.8Maintenance between missions
  9. 9.9Record-breaking flight experience
  10. 9.10Workshop: launch plan for a solar aircraft
  1. 10.1Upper airspace and HAO
  2. 10.2EUROCONTROL Concept of Operations
  3. 10.3European UAS regulation as applied
  4. 10.4Coordination with ATM
  5. 10.5Frequency allocation
  6. 10.6Liability and insurance
  7. 10.7Airworthiness certification
  8. 10.8SESAR ECHO initiatives
  9. 10.9ICAO international regulation
  10. 10.10Case study: integrating HAPS into European airspace
  1. 11.1Connectivity markets
  2. 11.2Observation as a service
  3. 11.3Investment and costs
  4. 11.4Economic comparison with satellites
  5. 11.5Partners and operators
  6. 11.6Technology risk and maturity
  7. 11.7Sustainability of operations
  8. 11.8Public connectivity policies
  9. 11.9Sector outlook
  10. 11.10Practical exercise: cost model of a HAPS fleet
  1. 12.1Mission definition
  2. 12.2Platform selection
  3. 12.3Energy and storage sizing
  4. 12.4Aerodynamic and structural design
  5. 12.5Payload and link
  6. 12.6Concept of operations
  7. 12.7Regulatory and airspace analysis
  8. 12.8Economic viability of the mission
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is delivered 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 you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is XFOIL, MATLAB, OpenVSP, STK and ANSYS Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: annual energy balances of solar platforms, station-keeping simulations and communications link budgets. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, ITU Radio Regulations, 3GPP TR 38.821, ICAO Doc 10019, Implementing Regulation (EU) 923/2012 (SERA), CS-23 (EASA).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, the ITU Radio Regulations and 3GPP TR 38.821 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:XFOIL, MATLAB, OpenVSP, STK and ANSYS Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete stratospheric mission design, from platform selection and energy sizing to operations concept and economic viability, 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.

Wind and platform analysis
Analyse stratospheric winds and select a platform for a defined station.
Low-Reynolds aerodynamics
Compute an aerofoil polar at Re 200,000 with XFOIL.
Energy balance
Size the solar and storage system for the winter solstice.
Station keeping and link
Simulate station keeping with real winds and build a 5G link budget.
Master's Thesis
Design a complete HAPS mission including operations and economic viability, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Stratospheric platform engineerEnergy systems engineerPayload engineerLong-endurance operations specialistNon-terrestrial communications engineerMission analyst
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's 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.

Apply now Scholarships
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 XFOIL, MATLAB, OpenVSP, STK and ANSYS Mechanical, 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 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.

Keep exploring

Related programmes

See all in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Master's7,730 $

Master’s in DO-178C/ARP4754A & ARP4761 Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in DO-178C, ARP4754A and ARP4761 engineering, structured in 12 modules covering the certification context, aircraft and systems development, DAL assignment,…

1900 hOnlineAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Master's7,730 $

Master’s in UAS Swarm and Multi-Agent Cooperation Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in swarm UAS and multi-agent cooperation engineering, structured in 12 modules covering multi-agent systems, graph theory and consensus, formation control,…

1900 hOnlineAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Master's7,730 $

Master’s in Lightning and HIRF Protection Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in lightning and HIRF protection engineering, with 12 modules covering the aircraft electromagnetic environment, lightning zoning and waveforms, direct and…

1900 hOnlineAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Master’s in HAPS & Stratospheric Platforms EngineeringEnrol
Related programmes

More in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space

Master’s in Space Debris & Space Traffic Management EngineeringView programme →Master’s in DO-254 and FPGA/ASIC Certification EngineeringView programme →Master’s in Astrodynamics and Orbit Design EngineeringView programme →Master’s in UAM / eVTOL / U-Space EngineeringView programme →Master’s in On-Orbit Servicing & ISAM EngineeringView programme →Master’s in DO-178C/ARP4754A & ARP4761 EngineeringView programme →

All Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships

Scroll to Top
SEIUM – Institute of Advanced Engineering
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.