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CourseAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

CNG course in satellites

Online course of 300 hours in satellite GNC: 6 modules covering GNC architecture, navigation, guidance, control and GNC verification and validation, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Define the architecture and modes of a GNC subsystem.

02

Design attitude and orbit estimators.

03

Generate guidance profiles compatible with operational constraints.

04

Design control laws with different actuators.

05

Prepare pointing error budgets.

06

Plan verification using simulation and HIL test benches.

07

Develop the preliminary design of a complete GNC system.

Profile

Who it's for

  • GNC engineers seeking deeper expertise in satellite applications.
  • AOCS engineers.
  • Flight software engineers working on GNC code.
  • Space simulation engineers.
  • HIL verification engineers.
  • Satellite operations engineers.
  • 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-60-10C (control performance)
  • ECSS-E-ST-60-20C (star sensors)
  • ECSS-E-ST-60-21C (gyros)
  • ECSS-E-ST-40C (space software engineering)
  • ECSS-Q-ST-80C (software product assurance)
  • ECSS-E-HB-60A (control engineering handbook)
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • Basilisk
  • 42 (NASA GSFC)
  • Ansys STK
  • Python with NumPy
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Guidance, navigation and control functions
  2. 1.2The AOCS subsystem and its modes
  3. 1.3Pointing and stability requirements
  4. 1.4Interfaces with payload and propulsion
  5. 1.5Sensor and actuator chain
  6. 1.6On-board computer and GNC software
  7. 1.7Pointing error budgets
  8. 1.8Development and verification cycle
  9. 1.9On-board autonomy requirements
  10. 1.10Workshop: AOCS mode tree of an observation satellite
  1. 2.1Star and sun sensors
  2. 2.2Gyroscopes and IMUs
  3. 2.3Magnetometers
  4. 2.4On-board GNSS receivers
  5. 2.5Multiplicative Kalman filter
  6. 2.6Orbit and attitude estimation
  7. 2.7Relative navigation
  8. 2.8Sensor fault detection and exclusion
  9. 2.9Image-based and landmark navigation
  10. 2.10Lab: attitude Kalman filter with simulated data
  1. 3.1Nadir and target pointing profiles
  2. 3.2Attitude manoeuvre guidance
  3. 3.3Orbital guidance and manoeuvre planning
  4. 3.4Ground target tracking
  5. 3.5Autonomous on-board guidance
  6. 3.6Sun exclusion constraints
  7. 3.7Profiles for agile payloads
  8. 3.8Angular momentum management
  9. 3.9Guidance for initial acquisition modes
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: generation of a pointing profile
  1. 4.1PID attitude control
  2. 4.2Reaction wheels and CMGs
  3. 4.3Magnetorquers and momentum dumping
  4. 4.4Thrusters and PWPF modulation
  5. 4.5Orbit maintenance control
  6. 4.6Safe and survival modes
  7. 4.7Stability and margins
  8. 4.8Flexibility and sloshing
  9. 4.9Control of transition modes
  10. 4.10Case study: design of a safe-mode controller
  1. 5.1Functional and Monte Carlo simulation
  2. 5.2Model-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop
  3. 5.3Processor-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop
  4. 5.4Test benches with motion tables
  5. 5.5Sensor stimulation
  6. 5.6Subsystem FDIR
  7. 5.7In-orbit commissioning
  8. 5.8Lessons from real missions
  9. 5.9Polarity and sign tests
  10. 5.10Case study: Monte Carlo pointing accuracy campaign
  1. 6.1Mission and pointing requirements
  2. 6.2Sensor and actuator architecture
  3. 6.3Estimator design
  4. 6.4Design of guidance laws
  5. 6.5Controller design
  6. 6.6End-to-end simulation
  7. 6.7Error budget analysis
  8. 6.8Verification plan
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, Basilisk, 42 (NASA GSFC), Ansys STK and Python with NumPy, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: design of an attitude Kalman filter for star trackers and gyroscopes, closed-loop simulation of AOCS modes and Monte Carlo analysis of pointing accuracy. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.

Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-60-30C, ECSS-E-ST-60-10C, ECSS-E-ST-60-20C, ECSS-E-ST-60-21C, ECSS-E-ST-40C, ECSS-Q-ST-80C, ECSS-E-HB-60A.

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-60-10C and ECSS-E-ST-60-20C applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB/Simulink, Basilisk, 42 (NASA GSFC), Ansys STK and Python with NumPy, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:the preliminary design of a complete satellite GNC system, from requirements to verification plan, reviewed by your tutor.
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.

AOCS mode tree
Define the AOCS modes and transitions of an observation satellite.
Attitude estimator
Design and tune an attitude Kalman filter with simulated data.
Pointing profile
Generate a pointing profile that respects operational constraints.
Safe-mode controller
Design a safe-mode controller and validate it with a Monte Carlo campaign.
Final project
Deliver the preliminary design of a complete GNC system, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

GNC engineerAOCS engineerFlight software engineerSpace simulation engineerHIL verification engineerSatellite operations engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 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, Basilisk, 42 (NASA GSFC), Ansys STK and Python with NumPy, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, 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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