Radiator and MLI course in space
Online course of 300 hours in space radiators and MLI, structured in 6 modules covering thermal radiation on space surfaces, radiator design, multilayer insulation, manufacturing and integration, modelling and verification, and a final project, 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 thermo-optical properties of space surfaces.
Size radiators for different thermal loads.
Design MLI blankets against performance and grounding criteria.
Assess end-of-life degradation of coatings.
Model radiators and MLI in nodal thermal models.
Plan tests and model correlation.
Produce the complete radiator and insulation design for a mission.
Who it's for
- Space thermal engineers focusing on radiators and insulation.
- Space materials engineers working with coatings and thermal control materials.
- MLI manufacturing technicians.
- Environmental test engineers.
- Thermal analysts building spacecraft thermal models.
- Satellite integration engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the space industry.
What you'll work with
- ECSS-E-ST-31C (thermal control general requirements)
- ECSS-Q-ST-70-09C (measurement of thermo-optical properties of thermal control materials)
- ASTM E595 (total mass loss and collected volatile condensable materials from outgassing in vacuum)
- ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C (thermal vacuum outgassing test for screening of space materials)
- ASTM E903 (solar absorptance, reflectance and transmittance of materials)
- ASTM E408 (total normal emittance of surfaces)
- ECSS-Q-ST-70-04C (thermal testing for the evaluation of space materials, processes and components)
- ECSS-E-HB-31-01 (thermal design handbook)
- ESATAN-TMS
- Thermal Desktop
- Systema Thermica
- Ansys Mechanical
- MATLAB
6 modules
1.1Black-body and grey-body emission1.2Thermo-optical properties α and ε1.3Specular and diffuse surfaces1.4Degradation due to UV radiation and atomic oxygen1.5White, black and metallised coatings1.6OSR mirrors and tapes1.7Measurement of absorptance and emittance1.8Selection of surface finishes1.9Degradation in GEO versus LEO1.10Workshop: comparison of coating properties
2.1Sizing by dissipated power2.2Body-mounted radiators2.3Deployable radiators2.4Fin efficiency2.5Gradients and thicknesses2.6External flux environment2.7Radiators with heat pipes2.8Variable-emissivity radiators2.9Radiators for high-dissipation electronics2.10Practical exercise: sizing of a radiator with heat pipes
3.1Operating principle3.2Kapton and Mylar layers and spacers3.3Effective emissivity3.4Influence of perforations and seams3.5Grounding and electrostatic discharge3.6Fasteners and Velcro3.7Test performance versus model3.8High-temperature MLI3.9Vent holes and depressurisation3.10Lab: calculation of the effective emissivity of a blanket
4.1Blanket pattern design4.2MLI manufacturing4.3Integration on the satellite4.4Contamination protection4.5Outgassing of materials4.6Materials qualification tests4.7Inspection and acceptance4.8Lessons from in-flight failures4.9Handling and cleaning of blankets4.10Case study: blanket design for an antenna
5.1MLI modelling in nodal models5.2Radiator modelling5.3Simulation of orbital cases5.4Thermal vacuum tests5.5Measurement of MLI conductance5.6Model correlation5.7Sensitivity to degradation5.8Design margins5.9Uncertainty of thermo-optical properties5.10Case study: correlation of a radiator after testing
6.1Thermal requirements6.2Coating selection6.3Radiator sizing6.4MLI blanket design6.5Thermal model6.6End-of-life degradation analysis6.7Test plan6.8Manufacturing plan6.9Report 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 ESATAN-TMS, Thermal Desktop, Systema Thermica, Ansys Mechanical and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: sizing of a radiator with end-of-life degradation, calculation of the effective emissivity of MLI blankets and correlation of a thermal model with test data. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-31C, ECSS-Q-ST-70-09C, ASTM E595, ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C, ASTM E903, ASTM E408, ECSS-Q-ST-70-04C, ECSS-E-HB-31-01.
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 ESATAN-TMS, Thermal Desktop, Systema Thermica, Ansys Mechanical, MATLAB, 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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