Diploma in Planning and Management of Constellations
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in constellation planning and management. 8 modules covering constellation architectures, coverage and revisit, deployment and launch, configuration maintenance, inter-satellite networks, automated fleet operations, and regulation and sustainability, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Planning and Management of Constellations — studying from New Zealand
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$2,550 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Questions from New Zealand
Can my employer help fund my study?
Many learners arrange company sponsorship, particularly where the programme relates to current or planned work. Instalment options are also available to spread the cost.
Will the programmes suit me if I work shifts or in remote locations?
The programmes are 100% online, and you can progress through the materials at times that fit your schedule. Start dates are set by the faculty for each intake, so plan ahead around your roster.
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
Design constellation geometries according to service requirements.
Calculate coverage, revisit and availability.
Plan launch and deployment strategies.
Maintain the constellation configuration throughout its service life.
Design networks with inter-satellite links.
Automate the planning of fleet operations.
Apply regulatory requirements on spectrum and space debris.
Who it's for
- Constellation systems engineers.
- Mission design analysts.
- Fleet operations engineers.
- Spectrum regulation specialists.
- Satellite network engineers.
- Automated operations planners.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter satellite communications.
What you'll work with
- ITU Radio Regulations (international spectrum regulation)
- ISO 24113 (space debris mitigation requirements)
- IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (inter-agency debris mitigation guidelines)
- ECSS-U-AS-10C (space sustainability: debris mitigation)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/588 (IRIS² secure connectivity programme)
- CCSDS 502.0-B (Orbit Data Messages)
- STK
- GMAT
- Orekit
- Python
- MATLAB
8 modules
1.1Walker delta and star constellations1.2Flower constellations1.3Polar and inclined orbits1.4MEO and GEO constellations1.5Altitude and number of satellites1.6Hybrid constellations1.7Examples of commercial constellations1.8Cost-performance trade-offs1.9Scalability1.10Workshop: comparison of geometries for broadband
2.1Minimum elevation angle2.2Footprint and swath width2.3Continuous and global coverage2.4Revisit time2.5Service availability2.6Coverage simulation2.7Metrics by latitude2.8Coverage with optical sensors2.9Sensitivity to satellite failures2.10Practical exercise: coverage of a Walker constellation in STK
3.1Multiple launches and dispensers3.2Injection and dispersion3.3Differential nodal drift3.4Orbit raising3.5Batch commissioning3.6Deployment schedule3.7Spare satellites3.8Failure management during deployment3.9Launch costs3.10Case study: deployment plan across six planes
4.1In-plane phase control4.2Node control4.3Effect of solar activity4.4Station-keeping strategies4.5Propellant budget4.6Satellite replacement4.7Constellation reconfiguration4.8End-of-life deorbiting4.9Manoeuvre automation4.10Practical exercise: phase control strategy
5.1Optical and RF inter-satellite links5.2Network topologies5.3Dynamic routing5.4Latency and capacity5.5Ground gateways5.6Integration with 5G NTN networks5.7Interference management5.8Network security5.9Traffic management5.10Lab: latency analysis in a LEO network
6.1Fleet operations centres6.2Automated planning6.3Anomaly management at scale6.4Large-scale telemetry and analytics6.5Machine learning in operations6.6Fleet health indicators6.7Conjunction coordination6.8Software configuration management6.9Shifts and staffing6.10Case study: automation of routine operations
7.1ITU network filings7.2Bringing-into-use milestones7.3Frequency coordination7.4National licensing7.5Debris mitigation requirements7.6European IRIS² programme7.7Satellite brightness and astronomy7.8Space insurance7.9Long-term sustainability7.10Workshop: regulatory roadmap for a constellation
8.1Service requirements8.2Geometric design8.3Coverage analysis8.4Deployment plan8.5Station-keeping strategy8.6Concept of operations8.7Regulatory plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the 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 each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is STK, GMAT, Orekit, Python and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for constellation coverage and revisit analysis, deployment planning by orbital plane and preparation of spectrum coordination filings. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ITU Radio Regulations, ISO 24113, IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, ECSS-U-AS-10C, Regulation (EU) 2023/588, CCSDS 502.0-B.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree 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 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 STK, GMAT, Orekit, Python and MATLAB, 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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