Diploma in Payloads and Energy for HAPS
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in payloads and power for HAPS: 8 modules covering payload requirements, communications and observation payloads, solar photovoltaic generation, energy storage, electrical power architecture, and integration and testing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Payloads and Energy for HAPS — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has one of the world's most established aerospace sectors, anchored by clusters in Bristol, Filton, Derby, Hampshire and Scotland's Glasgow corridor. Major manufacturers and suppliers such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Airbus UK and GKN Aerospace drive demand for engineers in design, propulsion, structures and systems integration. Urban air mobility, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and commercial drones are emerging alongside, supported by government programmes and test corridors. Space engineering is growing through launch and satellite activity around the UK spaceports and Harwell. Graduates with aerospace expertise find roles across manufacturing, certification and research.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £1,490 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which professional bodies in the UK recognise aerospace engineering qualifications, and does SEIUM's qualification give me chartered status?
In the UK, the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) is the main professional body for aerospace engineers and can award Chartered Engineer status through the Engineering Council. SEIUM's qualifications are private and are not accredited by the Engineering Council or RAeS, so they do not confer chartered status on their own. Recognition is decided by employers and the relevant body, so check directly with RAeS whether your study and experience will count towards registration.
Will a private online aerospace qualification help me find work with UK aerospace or drone employers?
UK aerospace, drone and space employers, including many working on civil aviation, defence and space projects, generally judge candidates on demonstrated skills, portfolio work and experience. A private qualification may support your application, but its value depends on each employer's own assessment. It is worth asking prospective employers how they view such qualifications before you enrol.
Can I study this programme alongside a full-time job in the UK, and what language level is needed?
Yes, programmes are delivered fully online, so you can study from home without a student visa, wherever you are based. Workload varies by programme length, and you will have an assigned technical tutor for support. Teaching is in English, so you should be comfortable reading and writing technical English. Check the programme schedule and time commitment against your working hours 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
Define requirements and interfaces for HAPS payloads.
Design communications payloads and their link budget.
Select observation sensors for stratospheric operation.
Model photovoltaic generation in high-altitude conditions.
Size storage systems for the night-time cycle.
Design the platform's electrical power architecture.
Plan payload integration and verification.
Who it's for
- Payload engineers working on high-altitude platforms.
- Power systems engineers.
- Integration and test engineers.
- Radio-frequency engineers.
- Mission energy analysts.
- Battery engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the aerospace sector.
What you'll work with
- ECSS-E-ST-20C (space engineering: electrical and electronic)
- RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
- UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, section 38.3 (transport testing of lithium batteries)
- IEC 62133-2 (safety of portable lithium cells and batteries)
- IEC 61215 (design qualification of photovoltaic modules)
- RTCA DO-311A (minimum performance standards for rechargeable lithium batteries)
- ITU Radio Regulations (international use of the radio spectrum)
- ECSS-E-ST-10-03C (space engineering: testing)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- LTspice
- STK
- PVsyst
- Python
8 modules
1.1Mass, power and volume budgets1.2Thermal and pressure environment1.3Mechanical and electrical interfaces1.4Duty cycle and consumption profiles1.5Mission quality of service1.6Pointing and stability requirements1.7Electromagnetic compatibility1.8Reliability and redundancy1.9Interface control document1.10Workshop: specifying a payload
2.1HAPS as an HIBS base station2.2Multibeam antennas and phased arrays2.3Frequency bands identified for HAPS2.4Optical and RF backhaul links2.5Coverage and cell footprint2.6Interference and coordination2.7Integration into 5G NTN networks2.8Link budget2.9Thermal management of amplifiers2.10Practical: link budget for a HAPS
3.1High-resolution electro-optical cameras3.2Thermal infrared sensors3.3Lightweight synthetic aperture radar3.4Atmospheric and gas sensors3.5Stabilisation and gimbals3.6On-board processing and compression3.7Achievable resolution from 20 km3.8In-flight calibration3.9Data management and downlink3.10Case study: environmental monitoring payload
4.1Irradiance in the stratosphere4.2Silicon, III-V and thin-film cells4.3Efficiency as a function of temperature and the AM0 spectrum4.4Integrating cells on curved wings4.5Maximum power point tracking4.6Degradation and shading4.7Module testing4.8Seasonal energy balance4.9Specific power in W/kg4.10Lab: modelling a solar generator
5.1High specific energy lithium-ion batteries5.2Lithium-sulphur and solid-state5.3Regenerative fuel cells5.4Battery thermal management at low temperature5.5Battery management systems (BMS)5.6Thermal propagation and safety5.7UN 38.3 transport tests5.8Ageing and cycle life5.9Sizing for the night5.10Practical: battery sizing for a daily cycle
6.1High- and low-voltage buses6.2DC/DC converters6.3Distribution and protection6.4Corona effect and Paschen's law6.5Lightweight harnesses and wiring6.6Load prioritisation and shedding6.7Redundancy and fault tolerance6.8Power telemetry6.9Electrical system simulation6.10Lab: simulation of a power bus
7.1Physical integration of payloads7.2Thermal vacuum chamber tests7.3Low-pressure tests7.4EMC according to DO-1607.5Vibration and shock7.6Functional verification7.7Test flight campaigns7.8Configuration management7.9Lessons from HAPS programmes7.10Case study: test plan for a payload
8.1Mission definition8.2Payload selection8.3Energy balance8.4Electrical architecture8.5Preliminary thermal analysis8.6Verification plan8.7Technical risks8.8Conclusions8.9Report 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 the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, LTspice, STK, PVsyst and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: modelling photovoltaic generators in stratospheric conditions, sizing batteries for day-night cycles and planning environmental tests for payloads. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-20C, RTCA DO-160G, UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, section 38.3, IEC 62133-2, IEC 61215, RTCA DO-311A, ITU Radio Regulations, ECSS-E-ST-10-03C.
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 MATLAB/Simulink, LTspice, STK, PVsyst and Python, 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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