Diploma in Electric Propulsion Integration in Buses
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in electric propulsion integration in the satellite bus: 8 modules covering electric propulsion principles, subsystem architecture, power budgets, plume–spacecraft interactions, mechanical and thermal integration, low-thrust operations and qualification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Electric Propulsion Integration in Buses — studying from Singapore
Fees for Singapore: S$2,130 (Singapore dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Questions from Singapore
Are SEIUM qualifications official degrees in Singapore?
No. SEIUM qualifications are private qualifications awarded by SEIUM Institute and are not official state degrees. Learners should check with the relevant professional bodies in Singapore about how any qualification is treated for their specific purpose.
What language are the programmes taught in?
All programmes are taught in English.
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 physics and technologies of space electric thrusters.
Size an electric propulsion subsystem according to the mission.
Integrate the PPU and feed system into the satellite bus.
Assess plume interactions with the spacecraft.
Plan low-thrust transfer and station-keeping manoeuvres.
Define subsystem test and qualification campaigns.
Produce a complete electric propulsion integration plan.
Who it's for
- Space propulsion engineers
- Satellite systems engineers
- Space electrical power engineers
- AIT engineers
- Mission analysts
- Satellite operations engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join satellite manufacturers
What you'll work with
- ECSS-E-ST-35C (space propulsion general requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-35-01C (liquid and electric propulsion for spacecraft)
- ECSS-E-ST-20C (electrical and electronic engineering)
- ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (space engineering testing)
- ECSS-E-ST-20-07C (electromagnetic compatibility)
- ECSS-Q-ST-70-01C (cleanliness and contamination control)
- ECSS-E-ST-35-06C (cleanliness requirements for spacecraft propulsion hardware)
- ISO 14620-1 (space systems safety requirements)
- GMAT
- STK
- SPIS
- MATLAB/Simulink
- ANSYS Mechanical
8 modules
1.1Specific impulse, thrust and power-to-thrust ratio1.2The Tsiolkovsky equation in the low-thrust regime1.3Electrothermal, electrostatic and electromagnetic classification1.4Hall-effect thrusters and plasma physics1.5Gridded ion engines: extraction and acceleration1.6PPT, FEEP and electrospray thrusters1.7Alternative propellants: xenon, krypton and iodine1.8Lifetime and erosion of channels and grids1.9Flight heritage: SPT-100, NSTAR and PPS-50001.10Workshop: sizing propulsion for an orbit transfer
2.1Power processing unit (PPU) and topologies2.2Xenon flow control unit2.3COPV tanks and pressurisation chain2.4Bang-bang and proportional pressure regulation2.5Hollow cathodes and beam neutralisation2.6High-voltage harnesses and insulation2.7Thruster redundancy and cross-strapping2.8Interfaces with the on-board computer2.9Subsystem telemetry and telecommands2.10Practical exercise: block diagram of an all-electric bus
3.1Sizing the solar array for continuous thrust3.2Batteries and eclipse management during manoeuvres3.3Regulated versus unregulated bus3.4Direct-drive supply of Hall thrusters3.5Dissipation of PPU losses3.6Power profiles in GTO–GEO transfer3.7Radiation degradation of cells during EOR3.8Power budget with design margins3.9Limiting start-up and inrush currents3.10Laboratory: simulation of the energy balance during transfer
4.1Plume structure and divergence angle4.2Charge-exchange ions and backflow4.3Sputtering erosion of solar panels4.4Contaminant deposition on optical surfaces4.5Plume-induced disturbance torques4.6Electrostatic charging and floating potential4.7RF interference and electromagnetic compatibility4.8Modelling with PIC and DSMC codes4.9Thruster location and cant angles4.10Case study: plume impact on a solar panel
5.1Thruster mounting and pointing mechanisms5.2Two-axis orientation mechanisms5.3Thermal control of the PPU and thrusters5.4Thermal coupling with bus radiators5.5Launch loads and vibration isolation5.6Alignment of the thrust vector with the CoM5.7Propellant line routing5.8Contamination control during integration5.9Safety in handling high-pressure xenon5.10Workshop: integration plan for a propulsion module
6.1Low-thrust orbit transfer strategies6.2Trajectory optimisation with continuous thrust6.3North–south and east–west station keeping6.4Momentum unloading with electric propulsion6.5Coordination with the AOCS6.6Thrust arc planning6.7On-board autonomy and fault management6.8Deorbiting and end of life with electric propulsion6.9Mission analysis tools6.10Practical exercise: GEO station-keeping plan
7.1Lifetime testing in a vacuum chamber7.2Facility effects and background pressure7.3Thrust measurement with precision balances7.4Plume diagnostics with Faraday probes and RPA7.5EMC testing of the propulsion system7.6PPU–thruster coupling tests7.7Integrated firing at satellite level7.8Verification according to the ECSS testing series7.9Non-conformance management in qualification7.10Case study: review of a qualification campaign
8.1Mission definition and requirements8.2Selection of propulsion technology8.3Subsystem architecture and budgets8.4Plume interaction analysis8.5Integration and verification plan8.6Subsystem concept of operations8.7Risk analysis and FMECA8.8Requirements compliance matrix8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme 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. You work with GMAT, STK, SPIS, MATLAB/Simulink and ANSYS Mechanical in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: thruster lifetime testing in vacuum chambers, integration of the propulsion module in a clean room and in-orbit firing campaigns during transfer. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-35C, ECSS-E-ST-35-01C, ECSS-E-ST-20C, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C, ECSS-E-ST-20-07C, ECSS-Q-ST-70-01C, ECSS-E-ST-35-06C, ISO 14620-1.
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.
- 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 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 GMAT, STK, SPIS, MATLAB/Simulink and ANSYS Mechanical, 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.
Related programmes
Diploma in SysML/Capella and Aerospace Digital Thread
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in SysML/Capella and the aerospace digital thread: 8 modules covering model-based systems engineering, SysML modelling, the Arcadia method and Capella,…
Diploma in Communications and Ethics for Autonomous Swarms
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in communications and ethics for autonomous swarms. 8 modules covering swarm communications, link technologies, protocols and middleware, communications security, ethics…
Diploma in UAS Remote Sensing for Precision Agriculture
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in UAS remote sensing for precision agriculture. 8 modules covering agricultural remote sensing, sensors, flight planning, image processing, vegetation indices,…
More in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
All Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships