MPC course applied to satellites
Online course of 300 hours in MPC applied to satellites: 6 modules covering predictive control principles, optimisation for MPC, attitude MPC, orbital and proximity MPC and on-board implementation, 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
Understand the fundamentals of model predictive control.
Formulate constrained optimisation problems for MPC.
Select suitable solvers for on-board execution.
Design MPC for constrained attitude control.
Apply MPC to orbital and proximity manoeuvres.
Assess the robustness and computational cost of the controller.
Implement a complete MPC for a satellite scenario.
Who it's for
- GNC engineers adopting optimisation-based control.
- Control engineers.
- Flight software engineers who will embed MPC solvers.
- Optimisation engineers.
- Predictive control researchers.
- Autonomous systems engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the space industry.
What you'll work with
- ECSS-E-ST-60C (control engineering)
- ECSS-E-ST-60-10C (control performance)
- ECSS-E-ST-60-30C (satellite attitude and orbit control system requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-40C (space software engineering)
- ECSS-Q-ST-80C (software product assurance)
- ECSS-E-HB-60A (control engineering handbook)
- acados
- CasADi
- OSQP
- MATLAB Model Predictive Control Toolbox
- Basilisk
6 modules
1.1Prediction and control horizons1.2Cost function and constraints1.3Receding horizon1.4Linear MPC and prediction models1.5Stability and terminal cost1.6Recursive feasibility1.7MPC versus LQR1.8Applications in space systems1.9Numerical conditioning of the problem1.10Workshop: formulating an MPC for a double integrator
2.1Quadratic programming (QP)2.2Interior-point methods2.3Active-set methods2.4First-order ADMM methods2.5Explicit MPC and polyhedral regions2.6Non-linear programming and SQP2.7Warm start and real time2.8Embeddable solvers2.9Non-linear MPC with attitude models2.10Lab: solving a QP with OSQP
3.1Pointing exclusion constraints3.2Wheel torque and momentum limits3.3MPC with quaternions3.4Successive linearisation3.5Momentum management with MPC3.6Constrained reorientation manoeuvres3.7Control of agile satellites3.8Comparison with PID3.9Antenna pointing constraints3.10Practical exercise: reorientation MPC with a sun exclusion zone
4.1MPC for rendezvous and docking4.2Approach corridors4.3Passive safety constraints4.4Station-keeping with MPC4.5Formation flying4.6Minimum impulse bit and modulation4.7Robust tube-based MPC4.8Stochastic MPC4.9Collision safety constraints4.10Case study: constrained final approach with MPC
5.1Computational resources of the flight computer5.2Automatic code generation5.3Quantification of computation time5.4Solver verification5.5Convergence failures and fallback5.6Integration into the AOCS software5.7Processor-in-the-loop testing5.8In-flight MPC experience5.9Certification of optimisation algorithms5.10Case study: embedded code generation with acados
6.1Scenario selection6.2Prediction model6.3Problem formulation6.4Solver selection6.5Closed-loop simulation6.6Robustness analysis6.7Computation time assessment6.8Comparison with other control laws6.9Report 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. 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 acados, CasADi, OSQP, MATLAB Model Predictive Control Toolbox and Basilisk, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: attitude reorientation with exclusion constraints using MPC, rendezvous approach with a safety corridor and assessment of the computation time of an on-board solver. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-60C, ECSS-E-ST-60-10C, ECSS-E-ST-60-30C, ECSS-E-ST-40C, ECSS-Q-ST-80C, ECSS-E-HB-60A.
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 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.
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 acados, CasADi, OSQP, MATLAB Model Predictive Control Toolbox and Basilisk, 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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