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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in AIV for Payloads and Thermal-Vacuum Environments

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Payload AIV and Thermal-Vacuum Environments. 8 modules covering payload verification, the space thermal environment, thermal modelling, thermal vacuum testing, correlation and AIV campaign management under ECSS-E-ST-10-02C, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C and ECSS-E-ST-31C, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration800 hours · 6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Plan payload verification using requirements matrices.

02

Characterise the space thermal environment of an instrument.

03

Build thermal models of payloads.

04

Specify thermal vacuum tests.

05

Correlate thermal models with test results.

06

Define optical and RF performance tests.

07

Manage a complete AIV campaign.

Profile

Who it's for

  • AIV engineers responsible for payloads and instruments.
  • Space thermal engineers who want hands-on test and correlation experience.
  • Thermal vacuum test engineers at test centres and agencies.
  • Instrumentation engineers working on optical, RF or science payloads.
  • Verification engineers on satellite and instrument programmes.
  • Test campaign managers.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join satellite manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ECSS-E-ST-10-02C (verification)
  • ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (space engineering testing)
  • ECSS-E-ST-31C (thermal control)
  • ECSS-E-HB-31-01 (thermal design handbook)
  • ECSS-Q-ST-70-01C (cleanliness and contamination control)
  • ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C (thermal vacuum outgassing test for materials screening)
  • ISO 15388 (space systems contamination and cleanliness control)
  • NASA-STD-7001B (payload vibroacoustic test criteria)
  • ESATAN-TMS
  • Thermal Desktop
  • Systema
  • NX Space Systems Thermal
  • MATLAB
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Payload AIV process
  2. 1.2Verification methods: test, analysis, inspection and review of design
  3. 1.3Requirements verification matrix
  4. 1.4Instrument development models
  5. 1.5Optical, RF and scientific payloads
  6. 1.6Interfaces with the platform
  7. 1.7Qualification and acceptance reviews
  8. 1.8Payload configuration control
  9. 1.9Requirements tracking tools
  10. 1.10Workshop: verification matrix for an optical instrument
  1. 2.1Solar radiation, albedo and Earth infrared
  2. 2.2Vacuum environment and outgassing
  3. 2.3Thermal cycles in orbit
  4. 2.4Qualification and acceptance temperatures
  5. 2.5Passive and active thermal control
  6. 2.6MLI blankets and coatings
  7. 2.7Heaters and thermostats
  8. 2.8Heat pipes and radiators
  9. 2.9Cryogenics in instruments
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: hot and cold thermal cases for a payload
  1. 3.1Node and conductance models
  2. 3.2View factor calculation
  3. 3.3Geometric and mathematical models
  4. 3.4Transient analysis in orbit
  5. 3.5Uncertainties and margins
  6. 3.6Model reduction
  7. 3.7Coupled thermal-structural models
  8. 3.8Thermoelastic distortion of the structure
  9. 3.9STOP analysis of optical systems
  10. 3.10Lab: thermal model of an instrument with ESATAN-TMS
  1. 4.1Thermal vacuum facilities
  2. 4.2Solar simulators and infrared panels
  3. 4.3Vacuum pumps and cryopanels
  4. 4.4Thermocouples and temperature sensors
  5. 4.5Thermal cycling profiles
  6. 4.6Stabilisation criteria
  7. 4.7Thermal balance tests
  8. 4.8Functional tests in vacuum
  9. 4.9Molecular contamination in the chamber
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: thermal vacuum cycling test profile
  1. 5.1Comparison between test and model
  2. 5.2Thermal model correlation criteria
  3. 5.3Parameter tuning
  4. 5.4Flight model validation
  5. 5.5Analysis of thermal anomalies
  6. 5.6In-orbit predictions
  7. 5.7Lessons from science missions
  8. 5.8Correlation documentation
  9. 5.9Use of the model in operations
  10. 5.10Lab: thermal correlation with test data
  1. 6.1Optical tests in vacuum
  2. 6.2Alignment and stability
  3. 6.3Instrument calibration in the chamber
  4. 6.4Tests of cooled detectors
  5. 6.5RF tests of payloads
  6. 6.6Microvibration tests
  7. 6.7Particulate and molecular cleanliness
  8. 6.8EMC compatibility tests
  9. 6.9Mechanism life tests
  10. 6.10Case study: optical performance test in vacuum
  1. 7.1Campaign planning
  2. 7.2Test procedures and specifications
  3. 7.3Test readiness reviews (TRR)
  4. 7.4Non-conformances during testing
  5. 7.5Test reports
  6. 7.6Coordination with test centres
  7. 7.7Campaign risk management
  8. 7.8Schedules and resources
  9. 7.9Lessons from previous campaigns
  10. 7.10Case study: recovery after a thermal vacuum anomaly
  1. 8.1Payload requirements
  2. 8.2Verification matrix
  3. 8.3Instrument thermal model
  4. 8.4Thermal vacuum test plan
  5. 8.5Performance test plan
  6. 8.6Correlation strategy
  7. 8.7Campaign management plan
  8. 8.8Risks and schedule
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final 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. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so the programme 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, Systema, NX Space Systems Thermal and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied using real procedures from instrument thermal balance tests, thermal model correlation with test data and thermal vacuum cycling campaigns. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-10-02C, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C, ECSS-E-ST-31C, ECSS-E-HB-31-01, ECSS-Q-ST-70-01C, ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C, ISO 15388, NASA-STD-7001B.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ECSS-E-ST-10-02C, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C and ECSS-E-ST-31C applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ESATAN-TMS, Thermal Desktop, Systema, NX Space Systems Thermal and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete AIV plan for a payload, covering the verification matrix, thermal model, thermal vacuum and performance tests and the correlation strategy, 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.

Build the verification matrix
Draw up the requirements verification matrix for an optical instrument.
Model the instrument thermally
Build a thermal model of the instrument in ESATAN-TMS with hot and cold cases.
Define the thermal vacuum test
Specify the thermal vacuum cycling profile and stabilisation criteria.
Correlate the model
Correlate the thermal model against test data and document the results.
Final project
A complete AIV plan for a payload, covering the verification matrix, thermal model, thermal vacuum and performance tests and the correlation strategy, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

AIV engineerSpace thermal engineerThermal vacuum test engineerInstrumentation engineerVerification engineerTest campaign manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • 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 800 hours over 6–8 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, Systema, NX Space Systems Thermal and MATLAB, 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 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.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), 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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