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Master’s in Satellite Thermal Control Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in satellite thermal control engineering: 12 modules covering heat transfer in space, the orbital thermal environment, passive and active thermal control, heat pipes and two-phase loops, numerical thermal analysis, equipment and small-satellite thermal design, thermal testing and verification, 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 heat transfer in the space environment.

02

Calculate the orbital thermal environment.

03

Design passive and active thermal control systems.

04

Size heat pipes and two-phase loops.

05

Carry out numerical thermal analyses.

06

Plan thermal tests.

07

Verify thermal requirements in accordance with ECSS.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Space thermal engineers who want to consolidate their design and analysis practice.
  • Thermal analysts working with ESATAN-TMS, Thermal Desktop or similar tools.
  • Thermal test engineers running thermal vacuum and balance campaigns.
  • Space systems engineers who need a solid command of the thermal subsystem.
  • Space instrument designers dealing with stability and cryogenic detectors.
  • Heat transfer researchers moving into spacecraft applications.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the space sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ECSS-E-ST-31C (thermal control general requirements)
  • ECSS-E-ST-31-02C (two-phase heat transport equipment)
  • ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (testing)
  • ECSS-E-HB-31-01 (thermal design handbook)
  • ECSS-Q-ST-70-04C (thermal testing for the evaluation of space materials, processes, mechanical parts and assemblies)
  • NASA-STD-7009 (models and simulations)
  • MIL-STD-1540E (test requirements for launch, upper-stage and space vehicles)
  • ESATAN-TMS
  • Thermal Desktop
  • Siemens Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal
  • MATLAB
  • SINDA/FLUINT
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Conduction in solids and joints
  2. 1.2Thermal radiation and the black body
  3. 1.3Emissivity and solar absorptivity
  4. 1.4View factors
  5. 1.5Absence of convection in vacuum
  6. 1.6Contact resistances
  7. 1.7Thermal capacity and transients
  8. 1.8Thermal nodal networks
  9. 1.9Thermo-optical properties of coatings
  10. 1.10Lab: nodal network of a radiating plate
  1. 2.1Direct solar radiation
  2. 2.2Earth albedo and its variation
  3. 2.3Earth infrared radiation
  4. 2.4Cold and hot cases
  5. 2.5Eclipses and thermal cycles
  6. 2.6LEO, GEO and deep-space orbits
  7. 2.7Planetary thermal environments
  8. 2.8Free molecular heating during launch
  9. 2.9Seasonal variation of fluxes
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: external fluxes in an SSO orbit
  1. 3.1Multi-layer insulation blankets
  2. 3.2Optical coatings and thermal paints
  3. 3.3Radiators and OSRs
  4. 3.4Conductive thermal doublers
  5. 3.5Thermal interfaces and fillers
  6. 3.6Phase-change materials
  7. 3.7Insulators and supports
  8. 3.8Radiator design
  9. 3.9Advantages of passive design
  10. 3.10Case study: sizing a radiator for avionics
  1. 4.1Heaters and thermostats
  2. 4.2Software control of heaters
  3. 4.3Thermal control louvres
  4. 4.4Pumped fluid loops
  5. 4.5Heat pumps
  6. 4.6Mechanical cryogenic coolers
  7. 4.7Battery thermal control
  8. 4.8Thermal power budget
  9. 4.9Reliability of active components
  10. 4.10Lab: heater control logic
  1. 5.1Principles of heat pipes
  2. 5.2Constant conductance heat pipes
  3. 5.3Variable conductance heat pipes
  4. 5.4Loop heat pipes
  5. 5.5Working fluids
  6. 5.6Operating limits
  7. 5.7Integration into panels
  8. 5.8Testing under gravity
  9. 5.9Applications in GEO satellites
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: sizing an ammonia heat pipe
  1. 6.1Geometric modelling of satellites
  2. 6.2Monte Carlo methods for radiation
  3. 6.3Thermal network solvers
  4. 6.4Reduced models
  5. 6.5Model correlation
  6. 6.6Sensitivity analysis
  7. 6.7Uncertainties and margins
  8. 6.8Interfaces with the structural model
  9. 6.9Thermo-elastic analysis of structures
  10. 6.10Lab: thermal model of a CubeSat in ESATAN-TMS
  1. 7.1High-dissipation electronics
  2. 7.2Sensitive optical instruments
  3. 7.3Cryogenic instrument detectors
  4. 7.4Batteries and their thermal range
  5. 7.5Propulsion and tanks
  6. 7.6Mechanisms and deployments
  7. 7.7Antennas and reflectors
  8. 7.8Thermal control of solar panels
  9. 7.9Gradients and thermal stability
  10. 7.10Case study: thermal control of a telescope
  1. 8.1Mass and power constraints
  2. 8.2Passive solutions for CubeSats
  3. 8.3Deployable radiators for CubeSats
  4. 8.4Miniaturised thermal components
  5. 8.5Battery management in nanosatellites
  6. 8.6Simplified analysis tools
  7. 8.7Low-cost testing
  8. 8.8Lessons from CubeSat missions
  9. 8.9Constellations and series production
  10. 8.10Workshop: thermal design of a 3U CubeSat
  1. 9.1Thermal vacuum testing
  2. 9.2Thermal balance testing
  3. 9.3Solar simulators in chambers
  4. 9.4Thermal chambers and shrouds
  5. 9.5Thermocouple instrumentation
  6. 9.6Thermal cycling tests
  7. 9.7Component testing
  8. 9.8Correlation with models
  9. 9.9Acceptance criteria
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: thermal balance test plan
  1. 10.1ECSS thermal control standards
  2. 10.2Temperature requirements
  3. 10.3Design margins
  4. 10.4Verification matrix
  5. 10.5Thermal design reviews
  6. 10.6Thermal design documentation
  7. 10.7Interfaces with other subsystems
  8. 10.8Non-conformance management
  9. 10.9Lessons learned from missions
  10. 10.10Case study: thermal verification matrix
  1. 11.1Variable emissivity radiators
  2. 11.2Electrochromic coatings for radiators
  3. 11.3Thermal additive manufacturing
  4. 11.4Oscillating heat pipes
  5. 11.5Thermal control for lunar exploration
  6. 11.6Thermal management in power electronics
  7. 11.7AI-based optimisation
  8. 11.8Thermal digital twins
  9. 11.9Deep-space missions
  10. 11.10Practical exercise: study of a variable emissivity radiator
  1. 12.1Mission and orbit definition
  2. 12.2Definition of thermal requirements
  3. 12.3Thermal control architecture
  4. 12.4Geometric and nodal model
  5. 12.5Analysis of extreme cases
  6. 12.6Design of solutions
  7. 12.7Test plan
  8. 12.8Correlation and margins
  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 ESATAN-TMS, Thermal Desktop, Siemens Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal, MATLAB and SINDA/FLUINT, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for satellite thermal analyses, thermal vacuum testing and thermal model correlation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-31C, ECSS-E-ST-31-02C, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C, ECSS-E-HB-31-01, ECSS-Q-ST-70-04C, NASA-STD-7009, MIL-STD-1540E.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ECSS-E-ST-31C, ECSS-E-ST-31-02C and ECSS-E-ST-10-03C applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ESATAN-TMS, Thermal Desktop, Siemens Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal, MATLAB and SINDA/FLUINT, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete thermal control design for a satellite mission, from requirements and nodal model to extreme-case analysis, test plan and correlation, 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 and requirements
Define the mission, orbit and thermal requirements.
Thermal architecture
Define the thermal control architecture and build the geometric and nodal model.
Extreme-case analysis
Analyse the hot and cold cases and design the thermal solutions.
Test plan and correlation
Draft the thermal test plan and define correlation and margins.
Master's Thesis
Present the integrated satellite thermal design, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Space thermal engineerThermal analystThermal test engineerSpace systems engineerSpace instrument designerHeat transfer 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 ESATAN-TMS, Thermal Desktop, Siemens Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal, MATLAB and SINDA/FLUINT, 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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