Master’s in Space Engineering: Satellites, Constellations & Missions
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in space engineering covering satellites, constellations and missions, structured in 12 modules covering mission engineering, the space environment and orbits, platform subsystems, small satellites, constellation design, payloads, ground segment, launch, AIT, product assurance and space regulation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Space Engineering: Satellites, Constellations & Missions — studying from Malta
Malta's aerospace activity is concentrated around Malta International Airport at Luqa, where aircraft maintenance, cabin interiors and aviation services form a significant part of the local economy. The island's aviation sector is supported by a long-established regulatory framework and a growing interest in drone operations and advanced air mobility. Engineers here commonly find work with aircraft maintenance organisations, aviation services providers and companies engaged in unmanned systems testing. Expertise in airworthiness, systems integration and regulatory compliance is particularly valued by employers operating within this niche but internationally connected market.
Fees for Malta: €9,930 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which professional bodies in Malta recognise engineers working in aerospace, UAM, drones and space, and how does that affect my title?
Malta's Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the use of the title 'engineer' under the Engineering Profession Act. Aviation safety is overseen by the Malta Competition and Consumers Affairs Authority's aviation counterpart, Transport Malta's Civil Aviation Directorate, which licenses operators and certain technical staff. A private SEIUM qualification does not itself grant a regulated title; recognition depends on the employer or the relevant body.
Which employers in Malta might hire someone with an aerospace or drone engineering background?
Malta has an aviation sector centred on Malta International Airport, aircraft maintenance and MRO activity, and a growing drone and space-related presence at the University of Malta and in private firms. Employers vary in their hiring criteria. A private qualification can support a application, but employers will weigh it against experience and any formal credentials they require.
Can I realistically study this 1,900-hour programme while working full time in Malta, and do I need a visa?
Programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home in Malta or elsewhere without a student visa. Each student gets an assigned technical tutor. Workload should be planned around your job; 1,900 hours is substantial, so most working professionals spread it over a long period. Ask about employer sponsorship and instalment fee options before enrolling.
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 phases and requirements of a space mission.
Analyse the space environment and select service orbits.
Size the platform subsystems of a satellite.
Design satellite constellations.
Define payloads, ground segment and operations.
Plan satellite verification and testing.
Apply space regulation and sustainability practices.
Who it's for
- Space systems engineers working on satellite platforms and missions.
- Mission analysts handling orbits, coverage and budgets.
- Constellation engineers designing LEO and MEO networks.
- Space operations engineers in mission control and ground segment teams.
- AIT engineers running satellite test campaigns.
- Space project managers coordinating ECSS-based programmes.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join the space sector.
What you'll work with
- ECSS-E-ST-10C (space system engineering general requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (space engineering testing)
- ECSS-Q-ST-30C (space product assurance: dependability)
- ISO 24113:2023 (space debris mitigation requirements)
- ECSS-U-AS-10C (adoption notice of ISO 24113 for space debris mitigation)
- CubeSat Design Specification Rev. 14 (CubeSat mechanical and interface standard)
- ITU Radio Regulations (international spectrum and orbit use)
- COPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (UN guidelines on debris mitigation)
- STK
- GMAT
- MATLAB
- Valispace
- ESA DRAMA
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1ECSS project phases 0 to F1.2Mission requirements analysis1.3Mission concept of operations1.4Space and ground segment architecture1.5Mass, power and data budgets1.6Mission architecture trade-offs1.7Cost estimation with parametric models1.8Technical risk management1.9MDR, PDR and CDR project reviews1.10Case study: definition of an LEO observation mission
2.1Vacuum, radiation and atomic oxygen2.2Orbital thermal environment2.3Space debris and micrometeoroids2.4LEO, MEO, GEO and HEO orbits2.5Sun-synchronous and revisit orbits2.6Main orbital perturbations2.7Coverage and access time2.8Eclipses and their impact on the mission2.9Orbit selection by mission2.10Lab: coverage analysis with STK
3.1Satellite structure and mechanisms3.2Electrical power system3.3Attitude and orbit control3.4Passive and active thermal control3.5Chemical and electric propulsion3.6Telemetry, telecommand and communications3.7Onboard computer and software3.8Harnesses and power distribution3.9Launcher interfaces3.10Practical exercise: mass and power budget for a microsatellite
4.1CubeSat standard and form factors4.2COTS components in nanosatellites4.3Low-cost architectures4.4Shared launch and rideshare4.5Reliability of small missions4.6Subsystem suppliers4.7Agile satellite development4.8Commercial success stories4.9Deorbiting challenges4.10Case study: architecture of a 6U CubeSat
5.1Walker delta and star constellations5.2Global and regional coverage5.3Number of planes and satellites5.4Inter-satellite interference management5.5Inter-satellite links5.6Phased deployment5.7Replenishment and orbital redundancy5.8Reference constellations: Starlink, OneWeb and IRIS²5.9Constellation geometry optimisation5.10Lab: design of a Walker constellation with global coverage
6.1Communications payloads6.2Optical observation instruments6.3Synthetic aperture radar6.4Navigation payloads6.5Scientific mission instruments6.6Pointing requirements6.7Data generation and storage6.8Onboard processing and AI6.9In-orbit calibration6.10Practical exercise: requirements for a 1 m instrument
7.1Tracking stations and antennas7.2Mission control centres7.3Operations planning7.4Data distribution to users7.5Ground segment as a service7.6Operations automation7.7Anomaly management7.8End-of-life operations7.9Frequency coordination7.10Case study: station network for a polar constellation
8.1Available commercial launchers8.2Launcher user manuals8.3Launch loads and environment8.4Adapters and dispensers8.5Orbit injection and LEOP8.6Separation and deployment8.7Launch insurance8.8Launcher selection8.9Cost per kilogram8.10Workshop: launcher compatibility analysis
9.1Development model philosophy9.2Vibration and acoustic testing9.3Thermal vacuum testing9.4Electromagnetic compatibility testing9.5Functional and mission testing9.6Satellite AIT campaign9.7Verification matrix9.8Mechanism deployment testing9.9Qualification versus acceptance9.10Practical exercise: AIT plan for a microsatellite
10.1ECSS product assurance standards10.2Satellite FMECA10.3Reliability and redundancy10.4EEE component selection10.5Materials and processes control10.6Launch safety10.7Planetary protection and contamination10.8Non-conformance management10.9Lessons learned from failures10.10Case study: FMECA of the power subsystem
11.1Outer Space Treaty and conventions11.2Registration of space objects11.3National licences for space activities11.4Space debris mitigation guidelines11.525-year and 5-year deorbiting rules11.6Spectrum coordination with the ITU11.7Space situational awareness11.8Proposed EU Space Act11.9Liability and insurance11.10Practical exercise: deorbiting plan for a constellation
12.1Definition of mission objectives12.2Orbit and constellation analysis12.3Satellite architecture12.4Subsystem sizing12.5Ground segment and operations12.6Verification plan12.7Risk and cost analysis12.8Regulatory and sustainability plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 the intake, so it fits alongside your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is STK, GMAT, MATLAB, Valispace and ESA DRAMA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practice is based on real procedures for constellation coverage analysis, satellite AIT campaigns and mission budgets. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-10C System engineering general requirements, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C Testing, ECSS-Q-ST-30C Dependability, ISO 24113:2023 Space debris mitigation requirements, ECSS-U-AS-10C, CubeSat Design Specification Rev. 14, ITU Radio Regulations, COPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with STK, GMAT, MATLAB, Valispace and ESA DRAMA, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), 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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