Orbital dynamics simulation course
Online course of 300 hours in orbital dynamics simulation. 6 modules covering classical orbital mechanics, perturbations, numerical propagation, manoeuvres and transfers, and orbit determination and space traffic, applying CCSDS 502.0-B-3 OEM, CCSDS 508.0-B-1 CDM and ISO 24113:2023 with GMAT, Orekit and STK, with an assigned technical tutor.
Orbital dynamics simulation 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: £619 (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
Understand classical orbital mechanics and its reference frames.
Model the main orbital perturbations.
Propagate orbits with numerical and analytical methods.
Design transfer and rendezvous manoeuvres.
Assess conjunctions and collision risks.
Validate simulations against reference ephemerides.
Develop a complete orbital simulation of a mission.
Who it's for
- Flight dynamics engineers.
- Space mission analysts.
- Satellite operations engineers who need solid orbit propagation skills.
- Space situational awareness analysts.
- Space GNC engineers.
- Astrodynamics researchers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join the space industry.
What you'll work with
- CCSDS 502.0-B-3 OEM (orbit ephemeris message format)
- CCSDS 508.0-B-1 CDM (conjunction data message)
- ISO 24113:2023 (space debris mitigation requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-10-04C (space environment)
- IERS Conventions 2010 (reference frames and Earth orientation models)
- ISO 27852:2016 (estimation of orbit lifetime)
- IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (inter-agency debris mitigation guidance)
- GMAT
- Orekit
- Systems Tool Kit (STK)
- Python with poliastro
- MATLAB
6 modules
1.1Kepler's laws and the two-body problem1.2Classical orbital elements1.3Kepler's equation and its solution1.4ECI and ECEF reference frames1.5UTC, TAI and TDB time scales1.6LEO, MEO, GEO and sun-synchronous orbits1.7Ground tracks1.8Visibility from ground stations1.9Eclipse windows1.10Lab: Keplerian propagator in Python
2.1Zonal harmonics and J22.2Atmospheric drag2.3NRLMSISE-00 atmospheric models2.4Solar radiation pressure2.5Third bodies: Sun and Moon2.6Tides and relativistic effects2.7Gauss and Lagrange equations2.8Frozen and repeat-ground-track orbits2.9Orbital decay and re-entry2.10Practical exercise: effect of J2 on a sun-synchronous orbit
3.1Cowell integration3.2Runge-Kutta and multistep integrators3.3Error control and adaptive step size3.4SGP4 analytical propagators3.5TLE format and its limitations3.6Semi-analytical propagation3.7Accuracy versus cost3.8Comparison of propagators3.9Validation against ephemerides3.10Lab: propagation with Orekit
4.1Hohmann transfer4.2Bi-elliptic transfers4.3Plane changes4.4Lambert's problem4.5Rendezvous and docking4.6Clohessy-Wiltshire equations4.7Station-keeping in GEO4.8Gravity assists4.9Low-thrust transfers4.10Workshop: design of a transfer to GEO
5.1Tracking measurements5.2Batch least squares5.3Kalman filter in orbit determination5.4Covariance and its propagation5.5Conjunction assessment5.6Probability of collision5.7Collision avoidance manoeuvres5.8CDM messages5.9Constellation simulation5.10Case study: analysis of a conjunction
6.1Mission definition6.2Orbit selection6.3Force model6.4Propagation and validation6.5Manoeuvre plan6.6Coverage and visibility analysis6.7Collision risk assessment6.8Technical documentation6.9Report and presentation6.10Final 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 the intake, so the programme is compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is GMAT, Orekit, Systems Tool Kit (STK), Python with poliastro and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: design of a sun-synchronous Earth-observation orbit, conjunction analysis of a LEO satellite and orbital transfer to geostationary orbit. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: CCSDS 502.0-B-3 OEM, CCSDS 508.0-B-1 CDM, ISO 24113:2023, ECSS-E-ST-10-04C, IERS Conventions 2010, ISO 27852:2016, IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines.
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 GMAT, Orekit, Systems Tool Kit (STK), Python with poliastro, 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 capable of running 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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