Master’s in Satellite AIT Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in satellite AIT engineering. 12 modules covering verification, clean rooms, mechanical, electrical and software integration, mechanical, thermal and EMC testing, launch campaigns and series production to ECSS-E-ST-10-03C and ECSS-E-ST-10-02C, 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
Define verification strategies and satellite development model philosophies.
Plan mechanical, electrical and software integration sequences.
Specify and conduct environmental tests in accordance with ECSS.
Apply contamination control and cleanliness procedures.
Manage anomalies, nonconformances and test reviews.
Prepare transport and the launch campaign.
Optimise AIT processes for constellation production.
Who it's for
- AIT engineers looking to broaden their command of the full integration and test cycle.
- Environmental test engineers in space test centres.
- Electrical integration engineers working on satellite platforms.
- Verification engineers responsible for verification plans and matrices.
- Clean room managers.
- Launch campaign engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the space industry.
What you'll work with
- ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (testing)
- ECSS-E-ST-10-02C (verification)
- ECSS-Q-ST-20-07C (quality and safety assurance for space test centres)
- ECSS-Q-ST-70-01C (cleanliness and contamination control)
- ECSS-E-ST-32-10C (structural factors of safety for spaceflight hardware)
- ISO 14644-1 (clean rooms and associated controlled environments)
- ECSS-E-ST-20-07C (electromagnetic compatibility)
- NASA-STD-7001 (payload vibroacoustic test criteria)
- MSC Nastran
- Femap
- LabVIEW
- ESATAN-TMS
- Siemens Simcenter Testlab
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Satellite life cycle and phases1.2Methods: test, analysis, review and inspection1.3Verification control matrix1.4Model philosophy: EM, STM, QM and FM1.5The protoflight approach and its risks1.6Qualification and acceptance levels1.7QR, AR and TRR reviews1.8Verification in constellations1.9Lessons from in-orbit failures1.10Case study: verification matrix for a microsatellite
2.1Cleanliness classes to ISO 14644-12.2Clean room design and operation2.3Particulate and molecular contamination control2.4ESD protection during integration2.5Handling equipment and MGSE tooling2.6EGSE electrical support equipment2.7Safety in load handling2.8Operations logs and traceability2.9Rules of conduct in the clean room2.10Workshop: contamination control plan
3.1Structure assembly sequence3.2Equipment installation and tightening torques3.3Alignment of instruments and sensors3.4Measurement of mass, centre of gravity and inertia3.5Integration of mechanisms and deployables3.6Thermal integration: MLI blankets and heaters3.7Integration of the propulsion subsystem3.8Inspections and build records3.9Satellite configuration management3.10Practical exercise: integration procedure for a panel
4.1Electrical architecture of the platform4.2Harnesses and continuity checks4.3Insulation tests and safe-to-mate checks4.4First connection and power-up sequence4.5Subsystem functional tests4.6Full-system functional tests4.7Simulators and test benches4.8Test automation with scripts4.9Test data management4.10Lab: first power-on procedure
5.1Flight software and its verification5.2Software validation facilities5.3End-to-end tests with the ground segment5.4Ground station compatibility tests5.5Validation of flight procedures5.6Telemetry and telecommand databases5.7Failure mode and FDIR tests5.8Simulated mission tests5.9Software version management5.10Case study: end-to-end test of a satellite
6.1Mechanical launch environment6.2Sine vibration tests6.3Random vibration tests6.4Acoustic tests in a reverberant chamber6.5Pyroshock tests6.6Static and quasi-static load tests6.7Notching and force limiting6.8Correlation with finite element models6.9Instrumentation and data acquisition6.10Practical exercise: specification of a vibration test
7.1In-orbit thermal environment7.2Thermal vacuum tests7.3Thermal balance tests7.4Thermal cycling for acceptance7.5Thermocouple instrumentation7.6Thermal model correlation7.7Heaters and infrared lamps7.8Contamination risks in vacuum7.9Duration and success criteria7.10Lab: thermal correlation with ESATAN-TMS
8.1Electromagnetic compatibility requirements8.2Conducted and radiated emissions8.3Conducted and radiated susceptibility8.4Electrostatic discharge tests8.5System self-compatibility tests8.6Antenna measurements and patterns8.7RF compatibility tests with the launcher8.8Magnetic tests and magnetic cleanliness8.9Management of EMC deviations8.10Case study: EMC plan for a satellite
9.1Product assurance in testing9.2Requirements of ECSS-Q-ST-20-07C9.3Nonconformance management9.4Nonconformance review boards9.5Test records and documentation9.6Post-test reviews9.7Root cause analysis in AIT9.8Risks of over-testing and damage9.9Lessons learned from campaigns9.10Workshop: handling an anomaly during thermal vacuum
10.1Transport containers and monitoring10.2Air, sea and road transport10.3The launch site and its facilities10.4Launch site operations10.5Propellant loading and safety10.6Integration with the launcher adapter10.7Encapsulation in the fairing10.8Final pre-launch reviews10.9Launch and separation operations10.10Case study: schedule of a launch campaign
11.1AIT challenges in constellations11.2Series integration lines11.3Batch-level testing11.4Justified test reduction11.5Automation and robotics in AIT11.6Digital twin of the integration process11.7Production indicators11.8Management of component suppliers11.9AIT costs and lead times11.10Workshop: design of an AIT line for a constellation
12.1Selecting the mission to be studied12.2Verification strategy12.3Integration plan12.4Environmental test plan12.5Facility requirements12.6AIT risk analysis12.7Scheduling and costs12.8Conclusions and recommendations12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
Training is 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 the programme is compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MSC Nastran, Femap, LabVIEW, ESATAN-TMS and Siemens Simcenter Testlab, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for planning an environmental test campaign, vibration and thermal vacuum testing, and mechanical and electrical integration in a clean room. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-10-03C, ECSS-E-ST-10-02C, ECSS-Q-ST-20-07C, ECSS-Q-ST-70-01C, ECSS-E-ST-32-10C, ISO 14644-1, ECSS-E-ST-20-07C and NASA-STD-7001.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run 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 MSC Nastran, Femap, LabVIEW, ESATAN-TMS and Siemens Simcenter Testlab, 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.
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