On-orbit servicing operations course
Online course of 300 hours in on-orbit servicing operations, structured in 6 modules covering on-orbit services, client preparation, operations planning, servicing operations, safety, regulation and liability, and a final project, with an assigned technical tutor.
On-orbit servicing operations course — 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: £455 (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
Identify the types of on-orbit services and their business models.
Specify servicing interfaces on client satellites.
Plan capture, servicing and release operations.
Manage contingencies during proximity operations.
Apply the regulatory and liability framework.
Assess technical and operational risks.
Develop the concept of operations for a servicing mission.
Who it's for
- Space operations engineers.
- Servicing mission managers.
- Mission safety engineers.
- Space robotics engineers.
- Space regulation consultants.
- Space business analysts evaluating servicing markets.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter on-orbit servicing.
What you'll work with
- ISO 24330 (rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) and on-orbit servicing (OOS): programmatic principles and practices)
- CONFERS principles and practices (recommended practices for on-orbit servicing and rendezvous)
- ECSS-E-ST-70C (ground systems and operations)
- ECSS-E-ST-70-11C (space segment operability)
- ISO 24113 (space debris mitigation requirements)
- UN LTS Guidelines (2019) (guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities)
- Outer Space Treaty (1967) (founding treaty of international space law)
- International Docking System Standard (IDSS) (interface definition for spacecraft docking systems)
- Ansys STK
- Yamcs
- Basilisk
- GMAT
- Orekit
6 modules
1.1Definition and types of services1.2Life extension and towing1.3In-orbit refuelling1.4Inspection and diagnosis1.5Repair and module replacement1.6MEV-1 and MEV-2 missions1.7Business models1.8Technical and operational challenges1.9In-orbit inspection services1.10Workshop: analysis of on-orbit servicing use cases
2.1Design for servicing2.2Capture interfaces2.3Refuelling ports2.4Visual markers2.5Client data for servicing2.6Agreements between operators2.7Legacy satellites not prepared for servicing2.8Information requirements2.9Cooperation with existing clients2.10Practical exercise: specification of servicing interfaces
3.1Concept of operations3.2Phases of the servicing mission3.3Coordination between control centres3.4Communication windows and constraints3.5Capture procedures3.6Contingency management3.7Training simulations3.8Planning of the docked stack3.9Planning of approach manoeuvres3.10Lab: operations timeline for a servicing mission
4.1Refuelling and fluid transfer4.2Robotic operations4.3Camera inspection4.4Attitude control of the stack4.5Towing and reorbiting4.6Client release4.7Operations with multiple clients4.8Shared telemetry4.9Separation and departure from the stack4.10Case study: control of a docked stack in GEO
5.1Safety in proximity operations5.2Transparency and notification5.3Licences and authorisations5.4Liability between operators5.5Space insurance5.6Standards and good practice5.7Debris mitigation5.8Dual-use aspects5.9Operator transparency policies5.10Case study: safety plan for a life extension mission
6.1Client selection6.2Servicing concept6.3Mission operational sequence6.4Capture plan6.5Contingency plan6.6Regulatory framework6.7Risk analysis6.8Business model6.9Report 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 Ansys STK, Yamcs, Basilisk, GMAT and Orekit, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: operations planning for a life extension mission, contingency analysis during capture and regulatory assessment of an on-orbit service. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: ISO 24330, CONFERS principles and practices, ECSS-E-ST-70C, ECSS-E-ST-70-11C, ISO 24113, UN LTS Guidelines (2019), Outer Space Treaty (1967), International Docking System Standard (IDSS).
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 Ansys STK, Yamcs, Basilisk, GMAT, Orekit, 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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