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Master'sAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Master’s in Rendezvous, Proximity Ops & Docking Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in rendezvous, proximity operations and docking engineering: 12 modules covering RPO missions, relative orbital dynamics, phasing, close-approach guidance, relative navigation sensors, state estimation, coupled 6-DOF control, trajectory safety, docking and capture mechanisms, non-cooperative targets and verification, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Model the relative orbital dynamics between two spacecraft.

02

Design guidance strategies for far-range and close-range rendezvous phases.

03

Implement relative navigation filters with optical and lidar sensors.

04

Analyse the passive and active safety of approach trajectories.

05

Specify docking and capture mechanisms according to international standards.

06

Verify GNC algorithms through simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing.

07

Plan proximity operations with safety and autonomy criteria.

Profile

Who it's for

  • GNC engineers who want to specialise in rendezvous and proximity operations.
  • Relative navigation engineers working with lidar, cameras and pose estimation.
  • Mission analysts designing phasing strategies and approach trajectories.
  • Docking systems engineers working on mechanisms and contact dynamics.
  • Proximity operations engineers preparing procedures and rehearsals.
  • Verification and validation engineers running Monte Carlo and HIL campaigns.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the space industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ECSS-E-ST-60-30C (satellite attitude and orbit control system requirements)
  • ECSS-E-ST-10-02C (verification)
  • NASA-STD-8719.14 (process for limiting orbital debris)
  • ECSS-E-ST-40C (software)
  • ISO 24113 (space debris mitigation requirements)
  • IDSS (International Docking System Standard)
  • ECSS-Q-ST-80C (software product assurance)
  • CCSDS 502.0-B (Orbit Data Messages)
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • STK (Systems Tool Kit)
  • GMAT (General Mission Analysis Tool)
  • Basilisk
  • Blender
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1History: Gemini, Apollo, Soyuz and ATV
  2. 1.2Phases of a rendezvous mission
  3. 1.3Target vehicle and chaser vehicle
  4. 1.4Cooperative and non-cooperative targets
  5. 1.5Mission requirements and constraints
  6. 1.6Rendezvous with the International Space Station
  7. 1.7Capture missions for inert satellites
  8. 1.8Rendezvous in lunar orbit
  9. 1.9Functional architecture of the GNC system
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of the ATV mission
  1. 2.1The two-body problem and orbital elements
  2. 2.2LVLH reference frame
  3. 2.3Clohessy-Wiltshire equations
  4. 2.4Tschauner-Hempel equations for eccentric orbits
  5. 2.5Relative orbital elements
  6. 2.6J2 perturbations and differential drag
  7. 2.7Free trajectories and closed relative orbits
  8. 2.8Impulsive manoeuvres in the relative frame
  9. 2.9High-fidelity numerical propagation
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: relative propagation in MATLAB
  1. 3.1Launch and insertion windows
  2. 3.2Phasing and Hohmann manoeuvres
  3. 3.3Bi-impulsive and Lambert transfers
  4. 3.4Absolute navigation with GNSS
  5. 3.5Relative navigation with differential GNSS
  6. 3.6Altitude and phase adjustment
  7. 3.7Hold points and station-keeping
  8. 3.8Mission delta-v budget
  9. 3.9Coordination with ground control
  10. 3.10Workshop: design of the phasing strategy
  1. 4.1V-bar and R-bar approaches
  2. 4.2Drift trajectories and radial hops
  3. 4.3Glideslope guidance
  4. 4.4Optimal guidance with model predictive control
  5. 4.5Approach corridors and cones
  6. 4.6Synchronisation with rotating targets
  7. 4.7Inspection guidance and formation flying
  8. 4.8Plume and contamination constraints
  9. 4.9Final adjustment before contact
  10. 4.10Lab: MPC guidance in Simulink
  1. 5.1RF rendezvous sensors
  2. 5.2Scanning lidar and flash lidar
  3. 5.3Visible and infrared cameras
  4. 5.4Retroreflectors and cooperative markers
  5. 5.5Vision-based pose estimation
  6. 5.6Stereoscopic and monocular vision
  7. 5.7Synthetic imagery for validation
  8. 5.8Sensor fusion and redundancy
  9. 5.9Sensor calibration and alignment
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: pose estimation with synthetic images
  1. 6.1Extended Kalman filter
  2. 6.2Unscented Kalman filter
  3. 6.3Particle filters
  4. 6.4Joint attitude and position estimation
  5. 6.5Observability in relative navigation
  6. 6.6Sensor error modelling
  7. 6.7Fault detection and isolation
  8. 6.8Estimation of target inertia
  9. 6.9Validation by Monte Carlo analysis
  10. 6.10Lab: relative navigation filter
  1. 7.1Six-degree-of-freedom dynamics
  2. 7.2Actuators: thrusters and reaction wheels
  3. 7.3Thruster allocation
  4. 7.4Position control in proximity
  5. 7.5Attitude control for target tracking
  6. 7.6Interaction between flexible modes and control
  7. 7.7Plume effects on the target
  8. 7.8Robustness and stability analysis
  9. 7.9Tuning of control laws
  10. 7.10Case study: 6-DOF control of a chaser
  1. 8.1Passive trajectory safety
  2. 8.2Collision avoidance and abort manoeuvres
  3. 8.3Keep-out zones and approach ellipsoids
  4. 8.4ISS safety criteria
  5. 8.5Collision probability in proximity
  6. 8.6Failure management during the approach
  7. 8.7Autonomy versus ground control
  8. 8.8Verification of collision-free trajectories
  9. 8.9Risk analysis according to ECSS
  10. 8.10Workshop: design of an escape manoeuvre
  1. 9.1Docking versus robotic berthing
  2. 9.2International Docking System Standard (IDSS)
  3. 9.3Androgynous and peripheral mechanisms
  4. 9.4Robotic capture arms
  5. 9.5Capture with nets and harpoons
  6. 9.6Contact and impact dynamics
  7. 9.7Dampers and alignment systems
  8. 9.8Rigidisation and utility connections
  9. 9.9Mechanism testing on motion platforms
  10. 9.10Case study: contact dynamics during docking
  1. 10.1Characterisation of the target from the ground
  2. 10.2Estimation of the rotational state
  3. 10.3Approach to tumbling objects
  4. 10.4Synchronisation of relative motion
  5. 10.5Navigation without cooperative markers
  6. 10.6Orbital inspection before capture
  7. 10.7Target fragmentation risks
  8. 10.8Demonstration missions e.Deorbit and ELSA-d
  9. 10.9Regulatory aspects of the approach
  10. 10.10Practical exercise: estimating the rotation of a target
  1. 11.1End-to-end Monte Carlo simulation
  2. 11.2Hardware-in-the-loop navigation testing
  3. 11.3Robotic test facilities
  4. 11.4Software validation according to ECSS-E-ST-40C
  5. 11.5Proximity operations procedures
  6. 11.6Interface with the control centre
  7. 11.7Operator training and rehearsals
  8. 11.8Lessons learned from real missions
  9. 11.9Configuration management of GNC software
  10. 11.10Workshop: relative navigation HIL campaign
  1. 12.1Definition of the mission scenario
  2. 12.2Relative dynamics analysis
  3. 12.3Design of the guidance strategy
  4. 12.4Design of the navigation filter
  5. 12.5Trajectory safety analysis
  6. 12.6End-to-end simulation
  7. 12.7Verification and sensitivity analysis
  8. 12.8Conclusions and improvement proposals
  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, STK (Systems Tool Kit), GMAT (General Mission Analysis Tool), Basilisk and Blender for synthetic image generation, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for approach simulations with the Clohessy-Wiltshire equations, hardware-in-the-loop relative navigation tests and approach trajectory safety analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-60-30C, ECSS-E-ST-10-02C, NASA-STD-8719.14, ECSS-E-ST-40C, ISO 24113, IDSS, ECSS-Q-ST-80C, CCSDS 502.0-B.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ECSS-E-ST-60-30C, ECSS-E-ST-10-02C and NASA-STD-8719.14 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB/Simulink, STK (Systems Tool Kit), GMAT (General Mission Analysis Tool), Basilisk and Blender, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete rendezvous and proximity operations mission design, from relative dynamics and guidance to the navigation filter, trajectory safety and end-to-end simulation, 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 scenario
Define the mission scenario and analyse the relative dynamics.
Guidance strategy
Design the far-range and close-approach guidance strategy.
Navigation filter
Design the relative navigation filter with its sensors.
Safety and simulation
Analyse trajectory safety and run the end-to-end simulation.
Master's Thesis
Present the integrated RPO design with its verification and sensitivity analysis, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

GNC engineerRelative navigation engineerMission analysis engineerDocking systems engineerProximity operations engineerVerification and validation engineer
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, STK (Systems Tool Kit), GMAT (General Mission Analysis Tool), Basilisk and Blender, 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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