Electric propulsion course in space
Online course of 300 hours in electric propulsion in space, structured in 6 modules covering electric propulsion in the space context, electrothermal and electromagnetic technologies, the complete electric propulsion system, mission applications, qualification and in-flight operation, and a final project, with an assigned technical tutor.
Electric propulsion course in space — studying from India
India's aerospace sector is growing steadily, anchored by Bengaluru, Hyderabad and the Kanpur-Lucknow belt. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Electronics are major employers, alongside a fast-growing base of drone and space start-ups. The Indian Space Research Organisation and the Defence Research and Development Organisation drive research programmes, while civil aviation rules are set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Engineers here work on aircraft systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite subsystems and urban air mobility concepts, and the sector's push for indigenisation keeps demand for skilled talent strong.
Fees for India: ₹78,800 (Indian Rupee), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in India
Typical roles
Questions from India
Which professional bodies in India recognise aerospace engineering, and does a private online qualification help with recognition?
In India, aeronautical engineering is recognised mainly through the Institution of Engineers (India), the Aeronautical Society of India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for aircraft maintenance licences. SEIUM's qualifications are private, not state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body. Whether they count towards professional membership or roles is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check their criteria before enrolling.
Which employers in India hire aerospace engineers, and how would this programme be used in that work?
Aerospace engineers in India work with organisations such as ISRO, HAL, DRDO laboratories, and private aerospace and drone firms, along with MRO and airline engineering teams. A private postgraduate qualification can support a career move or specialisation, but it is not a substitute for formal technical experience or statutory certifications. Employers usually weigh it alongside your work record and skills.
Can I manage this programme alongside a full-time job in India, given the time zone and language?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Classes and deadlines are set by the school, so check the schedule against India Standard Time (IST). Master's programmes are around 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas around 800 and specialist courses around 300, so plan your weekly hours realistically. You get an assigned technical tutor. Ask your employer about sponsorship, as instalment fees may make this easier.
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
Classify electric propulsion technologies and their principles.
Compare the performance of electrothermal, electrostatic and electromagnetic thrusters.
Size a complete electric propulsion subsystem.
Analyse plume interactions with the spacecraft.
Select the right technology for different mission types.
Plan the qualification of an electric propulsion system.
Develop an electric propulsion proposal for a mission.
Who it's for
- Space propulsion engineers moving into electric propulsion.
- Satellite systems engineers responsible for propulsion trade-offs.
- Mission analysts working on orbit raising, station keeping or deorbiting.
- Integration engineers handling propulsion subsystems on the platform.
- Propulsion test engineers.
- Researchers in advanced propulsion.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the space industry.
What you'll work with
- ECSS-E-ST-35-01C (liquid and electric propulsion for spacecraft)
- ECSS-E-ST-35C (propulsion general requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-20-06C (spacecraft charging)
- ECSS-E-ST-20C (electrical and electronic engineering)
- ECSS-E-ST-20-07C (electromagnetic compatibility)
- ISO 24113 (space debris mitigation requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (space engineering testing)
- SPIS
- GMAT
- MATLAB
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- Ansys STK
6 modules
1.1Electrothermal, electrostatic and electromagnetic classification1.2Specific impulse versus thrust1.3Available power and efficiency1.4System mass and Isp optimisation1.5History of electric propulsion1.6Current thruster market1.7Selection by mission type1.8Technology maturity1.9Cost per kilogram of Δv1.10Workshop: map of electric propulsion technologies
2.1Resistojets2.2Arcjets2.3Pulsed plasma thrusters (PPT)2.4Magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters (MPD)2.5VASIMR and helicon propulsion2.6Field emission electric propulsion (FEEP)2.7Electrospray and ionic liquids2.8Pulsed inductive thrusters2.9Water and iodine thrusters for small satellites2.10Practical exercise: performance comparison by technology
3.1Subsystem architecture3.2Propellant storage and feed3.3Power processing unit3.4Thrust vectoring mechanisms3.5Integration with the power system3.6Plume interaction with the spacecraft3.7Contamination and electrostatic charging3.8Electromagnetic interference3.9Propellant selection and storage3.10Lab: mass budget of an electric propulsion system
4.1Attitude and orbit control4.2GEO station keeping4.3Electric orbit raising4.4Drag compensation in VLEO4.5Interplanetary missions4.6End-of-life deorbiting4.7Small satellites and CubeSats4.8Constellations4.9Autonomous deorbiting of constellations4.10Case study: analysis of the BepiColombo mission
5.1Vacuum facilities5.2Thrust measurement5.3Plume diagnostics5.4Lifetime tests5.5Compatibility tests5.6Lifetime modelling and extrapolation5.7Flight qualification5.8In-orbit operations5.9In-orbit commissioning tests5.10Case study: qualification plan for an electric propulsion system
6.1Mission requirements6.2Technology selection6.3System sizing6.4Integration on the platform6.5Interaction analysis6.6Operations plan6.7Qualification plan6.8Cost analysis6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SPIS, GMAT, MATLAB, COMSOL Multiphysics and Ansys STK, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: selection of an electric propulsion technology for a CubeSat, sizing of a system for drag compensation in VLEO and analysis of plume interaction with solar panels. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-35-01C, ECSS-E-ST-35C, ECSS-E-ST-20-06C, ECSS-E-ST-20C, ECSS-E-ST-20-07C, ISO 24113, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C.
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.
- 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 SPIS, GMAT, MATLAB, COMSOL Multiphysics, Ansys STK, 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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