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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in Payloads and Energy for HAPS

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in payloads and power for HAPS: 8 modules covering payload requirements, communications and observation payloads, solar photovoltaic generation, energy storage, electrical power architecture, and integration and testing, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 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

Define requirements and interfaces for HAPS payloads.

02

Design communications payloads and their link budget.

03

Select observation sensors for stratospheric operation.

04

Model photovoltaic generation in high-altitude conditions.

05

Size storage systems for the night-time cycle.

06

Design the platform's electrical power architecture.

07

Plan payload integration and verification.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Payload engineers working on high-altitude platforms.
  • Power systems engineers.
  • Integration and test engineers.
  • Radio-frequency engineers.
  • Mission energy analysts.
  • Battery engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the aerospace sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ECSS-E-ST-20C (space engineering: electrical and electronic)
  • RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
  • UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, section 38.3 (transport testing of lithium batteries)
  • IEC 62133-2 (safety of portable lithium cells and batteries)
  • IEC 61215 (design qualification of photovoltaic modules)
  • RTCA DO-311A (minimum performance standards for rechargeable lithium batteries)
  • ITU Radio Regulations (international use of the radio spectrum)
  • ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (space engineering: testing)
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • LTspice
  • STK
  • PVsyst
  • Python
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Mass, power and volume budgets
  2. 1.2Thermal and pressure environment
  3. 1.3Mechanical and electrical interfaces
  4. 1.4Duty cycle and consumption profiles
  5. 1.5Mission quality of service
  6. 1.6Pointing and stability requirements
  7. 1.7Electromagnetic compatibility
  8. 1.8Reliability and redundancy
  9. 1.9Interface control document
  10. 1.10Workshop: specifying a payload
  1. 2.1HAPS as an HIBS base station
  2. 2.2Multibeam antennas and phased arrays
  3. 2.3Frequency bands identified for HAPS
  4. 2.4Optical and RF backhaul links
  5. 2.5Coverage and cell footprint
  6. 2.6Interference and coordination
  7. 2.7Integration into 5G NTN networks
  8. 2.8Link budget
  9. 2.9Thermal management of amplifiers
  10. 2.10Practical: link budget for a HAPS
  1. 3.1High-resolution electro-optical cameras
  2. 3.2Thermal infrared sensors
  3. 3.3Lightweight synthetic aperture radar
  4. 3.4Atmospheric and gas sensors
  5. 3.5Stabilisation and gimbals
  6. 3.6On-board processing and compression
  7. 3.7Achievable resolution from 20 km
  8. 3.8In-flight calibration
  9. 3.9Data management and downlink
  10. 3.10Case study: environmental monitoring payload
  1. 4.1Irradiance in the stratosphere
  2. 4.2Silicon, III-V and thin-film cells
  3. 4.3Efficiency as a function of temperature and the AM0 spectrum
  4. 4.4Integrating cells on curved wings
  5. 4.5Maximum power point tracking
  6. 4.6Degradation and shading
  7. 4.7Module testing
  8. 4.8Seasonal energy balance
  9. 4.9Specific power in W/kg
  10. 4.10Lab: modelling a solar generator
  1. 5.1High specific energy lithium-ion batteries
  2. 5.2Lithium-sulphur and solid-state
  3. 5.3Regenerative fuel cells
  4. 5.4Battery thermal management at low temperature
  5. 5.5Battery management systems (BMS)
  6. 5.6Thermal propagation and safety
  7. 5.7UN 38.3 transport tests
  8. 5.8Ageing and cycle life
  9. 5.9Sizing for the night
  10. 5.10Practical: battery sizing for a daily cycle
  1. 6.1High- and low-voltage buses
  2. 6.2DC/DC converters
  3. 6.3Distribution and protection
  4. 6.4Corona effect and Paschen's law
  5. 6.5Lightweight harnesses and wiring
  6. 6.6Load prioritisation and shedding
  7. 6.7Redundancy and fault tolerance
  8. 6.8Power telemetry
  9. 6.9Electrical system simulation
  10. 6.10Lab: simulation of a power bus
  1. 7.1Physical integration of payloads
  2. 7.2Thermal vacuum chamber tests
  3. 7.3Low-pressure tests
  4. 7.4EMC according to DO-160
  5. 7.5Vibration and shock
  6. 7.6Functional verification
  7. 7.7Test flight campaigns
  8. 7.8Configuration management
  9. 7.9Lessons from HAPS programmes
  10. 7.10Case study: test plan for a payload
  1. 8.1Mission definition
  2. 8.2Payload selection
  3. 8.3Energy balance
  4. 8.4Electrical architecture
  5. 8.5Preliminary thermal analysis
  6. 8.6Verification plan
  7. 8.7Technical risks
  8. 8.8Conclusions
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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 fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, LTspice, STK, PVsyst and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: modelling photovoltaic generators in stratospheric conditions, sizing batteries for day-night cycles and planning environmental tests for payloads. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-20C, RTCA DO-160G, UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, section 38.3, IEC 62133-2, IEC 61215, RTCA DO-311A, ITU Radio Regulations, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ECSS-E-ST-20C, RTCA DO-160G and section 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB/Simulink, LTspice, STK, PVsyst and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:A HAPS payload and power project covering payload selection, energy balance, electrical architecture and 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.

Mission and payload
Define the mission and select the payload with its requirements and interfaces.
Energy balance
Model solar generation and size the storage for the day-night cycle.
Electrical architecture
Design the power bus, distribution and protection of the platform.
Thermal and verification
Carry out a preliminary thermal analysis and draw up the verification plan.
Final project
A documented HAPS payload and power project with technical risks and conclusions, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Payload engineerPower systems engineerIntegration and test engineerRadio-frequency engineerMission energy analystBattery engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • 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 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 MATLAB/Simulink, LTspice, STK, PVsyst and Python, 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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