Master’s in On-Orbit Servicing & ISAM Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in on-orbit servicing and ISAM engineering: 12 modules covering the servicing ecosystem, mission architecture, in-orbit inspection, space robotics, capture and docking, refuelling, design for serviceability, in-orbit assembly and manufacturing, regulation and economic viability, 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
Analyse the market and use cases for on-orbit servicing.
Design mission architectures for inspection, refuelling and life extension.
Specify robotic manipulation systems for the space environment.
Assess standardised servicing interfaces and design for serviceability.
Plan in-orbit assembly and manufacturing processes.
Apply CONFERS good practices and safety regulations to operations.
Evaluate the technical and economic viability of ISAM missions.
Who it's for
- On-orbit servicing engineers looking for a structured view of the whole ISAM field.
- Space robotics engineers working on manipulators, capture and teleoperation.
- Mission systems engineers designing servicing and life extension missions.
- In-orbit assembly engineers working on large structures.
- Space business analysts assessing servicing business models.
- Interface and mechanism engineers designing grapple fixtures and refuelling ports.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the space industry.
What you'll work with
- CONFERS Recommended Design and Operational Practices (industry good practice for servicing)
- ISO 24113 (space debris mitigation requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-10C (system engineering general requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-33-01C (mechanisms)
- IDSS (International Docking System Standard)
- ECSS-E-ST-60-30C (satellite AOCS requirements)
- ISO 14620-1 (space systems safety requirements)
- IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (inter-agency debris guidelines)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- ROS 2
- Gazebo
- STK (Systems Tool Kit)
- Siemens NX
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Definition of ISAM: servicing, assembly and manufacturing1.2History: the Hubble Space Telescope repairs1.3MEV-1 and MEV-2 life extension missions1.4Customers: GEO and LEO operators and agencies1.5Value chain of on-orbit servicing1.6NASA, ESA and JAXA initiatives1.7ISAM technology roadmaps1.8CONFERS principles1.9Technical and regulatory barriers1.10Case study: analysis of the MEV-1 mission
2.1Types of service: inspection, towing, refuelling2.2Servicing vehicle and depots2.3Orbit analysis and multi-target campaigns2.4Mass and delta-v budgets2.5Rendezvous planning with customers2.6Chemical and electric propulsion architectures2.7Autonomy and ground control2.8Life cycle and concept of operations2.9Architecture trade-off analysis2.10Workshop: concept for a GEO towing mission
3.1Objectives of orbital inspection3.2Optical, thermal and lidar sensors3.3Inspection trajectories and fly-arounds3.43D reconstruction of the client3.5Assessment of surface condition3.6Damage and degradation detection3.7Estimation of mass properties3.8On-board versus ground processing3.9Inspection data management3.10Practical exercise: 3D reconstruction from images
4.1Canadarm2 and ERA robotic arms4.2Kinematics of free-floating manipulators4.3Coupled arm-platform dynamics4.4Impedance and force control4.5End effectors and tools4.6Teleoperation with time delay4.7Autonomy and motion planning4.8Robotic simulation with ROS 2 and Gazebo4.9Qualification of robots for space4.10Lab: control of a manipulator in Gazebo
5.1Grasp points on legacy satellites5.2Capture via the launch adapter ring5.3Docking and berthing mechanisms5.4Contact dynamics and stabilisation5.5Capture of rotating objects5.6Rigidisation of the combined stack5.7Attitude control of the docked assembly5.8Safe separation and release5.9Capture testing on robotic platforms5.10Case study: capture via the apogee engine nozzle
6.1Storable and cryogenic propellants6.2Tools for accessing fill valves6.3Propellant transfer in microgravity6.4Propellant management and sloshing6.5Standardised fluid couplings6.6Contamination and leak risks6.7RRM and OSAM-1 demonstrators6.8Orbital propellant depots6.9Safety in fluid operations6.10Workshop: propellant transfer balance
7.1Principles of design prepared for servicing7.2Standardised grapple interfaces7.3Fiducial markers and navigation aids7.4Cooperative refuelling ports7.5Modularity and orbital replacement units7.6Mechanical, electrical and data interfaces7.7Standardisation in international working groups7.8Impact on satellite cost and mass7.9Integration into the design cycle7.10Practical exercise: serviceability analysis of a satellite
8.1Advantages of assembly over monolithic launch8.2Assembly of large telescopes and antennas8.3Modular structures and joining nodes8.4Autonomous assembly robots8.5In-orbit metrology and alignment8.6Sequencing and planning of assembly8.7Dynamics of growing structures8.8Lessons from the International Space Station8.9Ground assembly testing8.10Case study: assembly sequence for a reflector
9.1Additive manufacturing in microgravity9.23D printing on the International Space Station9.3Manufacturing of beams and large structures9.4In-situ resource utilisation9.5Recycling of materials in orbit9.6Quality control in space manufacturing9.7Vacuum-compatible materials and processes9.8Production of optical fibre and biomaterials9.9Thermal and contamination challenges9.10Workshop: concept for in-orbit beam manufacturing
10.1The Outer Space Treaty and liability10.2The Liability Convention10.3National operating licences10.4Client consent and transparency10.5Safety of proximity operations10.6Insurance for servicing missions10.7Dual use and security considerations10.8Debris mitigation according to ISO 2411310.9Ethics of intervention on third-party objects10.10Case study: licensing framework for a mission
11.1On-orbit servicing business models11.2Life-cycle cost analysis11.3Value of life extension for the operator11.4Service pricing and contracts11.5Mission verification plan11.6Integration testing of the servicing vehicle11.7Technical and programmatic risk management11.8TRL maturity and demonstrators11.9Institutional and private funding11.10Workshop: business plan for a towing service
12.1Definition of the service and the client12.2Market analysis and requirements12.3Servicing vehicle architecture12.4Design of capture operations12.5Safety and regulatory analysis12.6Economic model of the mission12.7Verification and risk plan12.8Conclusions and recommendations12.9Master's Thesis: written report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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, ROS 2, Gazebo, STK (Systems Tool Kit) and Siemens NX, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for life extension mission analysis, in-orbit robotic manipulation simulation and assessment of standardised servicing interfaces. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: CONFERS Recommended Design and Operational Practices, ISO 24113, ECSS-E-ST-10C, ECSS-E-ST-33-01C, IDSS, ECSS-E-ST-60-30C, ISO 14620-1, IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines.
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
- 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.
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, ROS 2, Gazebo, STK (Systems Tool Kit) and Siemens NX, 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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