HAPS Stratospheric Drone Course
Online course of 300 hours in HAPS stratospheric drones: 6 modules covering the stratospheric environment, platform configurations, energy and propulsion, operation and guidance, and regulations and certification, 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
Describe the conditions of the stratospheric environment.
Compare solar aircraft, airship and balloon configurations.
Size energy systems for long-endurance flight.
Analyse aerodynamic behaviour at very low density.
Plan climb, station-keeping and descent operations.
Interpret the regulatory framework for high-altitude operations.
Produce the conceptual design of a stratospheric platform.
Who it's for
- Stratospheric platform engineers.
- Aeronautical solar energy systems specialists.
- Ultralight structures engineers.
- Aerospace meteorological analysts.
- High-altitude operations engineers.
- Upper airspace regulatory consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aerospace sector.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (EU common rules in civil aviation and EASA)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for UAS operations)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 923/2012 (SERA) (standardised European rules of the air)
- ISO 2533 (standard atmosphere)
- ITU Radio Regulations (international radio spectrum rules)
- Annex 2 to the Chicago Convention (ICAO rules of the air)
- ECSS-E-ST-10-04C (space environment)
- MATLAB
- OpenVSP
- XFLR5
- Python with ERA5 data
- ANSYS Mechanical
6 modules
1.1Structure of the standard atmosphere1.2Stratospheric winds and the quasi-biennial oscillation1.3Density, temperature and radiation1.4Ozone and material degradation1.5Solar radiation and the day-night cycle1.6Tropopause and climbing through the jet stream1.7Seasonal weather windows1.8Airspace above FL6001.9History of HAPS: Helios, Zephyr and Loon1.10Practical exercise: analysis of wind profiles with ERA5 data
2.1Fixed-wing solar aircraft2.2Stratospheric airships2.3Altitude-controlled balloons2.4Aerodynamics at very low Reynolds numbers2.5Ultralight carbon-fibre structures2.6Aeroelastic flexibility2.7Envelopes and lifting gases2.8Mass balance and buoyancy2.9Comparison of configurations2.10Workshop: conceptual sizing of a solar aircraft
3.1High-efficiency solar cells3.2Lithium-sulphur and high-density batteries3.3Regenerative fuel cells3.4Day and night energy balance3.5Electric motors at low pressure3.6Propellers for rarefied air3.7Thermal management in the stratosphere3.8Component degradation3.9Flight profile optimisation3.10Lab: 24-hour energy balance
4.1Launch and climb4.2Station-keeping in wind4.3Navigation with weather forecasting4.4Descent and recovery4.5Long-range command and control4.6Integration with crewed air traffic4.7Contingency procedures4.8Maintenance between campaigns4.9Record endurance and reliability4.10Practical exercise: station-keeping simulation
5.1Operations in upper airspace5.2European concept of operations for HAO5.3Applicable UAS regulations5.4Certification of long-endurance aircraft5.5Spectrum management for HAPS5.6Ground safety in the event of failure5.7Liability and insurance5.8International coordination5.9Open regulatory challenges5.10Case study: analysis of a solar HAPS campaign
6.1Mission definition6.2Environmental analysis of the area6.3Configuration selection6.4Energy sizing6.5Aerodynamic and structural design6.6Operating profile6.7Risk analysis6.8Test plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with your tutor
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 the intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, OpenVSP, XFLR5, Python with ERA5 data and ANSYS Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for simulating daily energy balances, stratospheric wind studies and material tests in low-pressure chambers. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Implementing Regulation (EU) 923/2012 (SERA), ISO 2533, ITU Radio Regulations, Annex 2 to the Chicago Convention, ECSS-E-ST-10-04C.
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
- No prior qualification 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.
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, OpenVSP, XFLR5, Python with ERA5 data and ANSYS Mechanical, 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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