Diploma in Conjunctions, Collisions and Space Traffic
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in conjunctions, collisions and space traffic. 8 modules covering the space debris environment, surveillance and catalogues, propagation and covariance, conjunction assessment, collision avoidance manoeuvres, mitigation and re-entry, and space traffic governance, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Conjunctions, Collisions and Space Traffic — studying from the United States
The United States leads global aerospace, anchored by clusters in Seattle, Wichita, Hartford, Huntsville and the Houston area. Major employers such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, RTX and GE Aerospace drive demand for engineers in airframes, propulsion, avionics and systems integration. Urban air mobility and commercial drone operations are expanding quickly, creating new roles in eVTOL design, airspace integration and UAS operations. Civil and military programs both rely heavily on certified design, testing and airworthiness processes, making this a strong field for engineers seeking complex, high-impact work.
Fees for the United States: US$2,000 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Which professional bodies in the United States recognize engineers in aerospace, and does a private qualification help with licensing?
Aerospace engineering in the US is supported by bodies such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and ABET, which accredits engineering degree programs. Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is granted by individual state licensing boards, not by a federal body. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not state degrees, so they do not by themselves lead to PE licensure. Whether they are recognized for any purpose is decided by employers or the relevant professional body.
Do US employers in aerospace, drones or space value a private engineering postgraduate qualification?
Hiring in US aerospace and space companies, including defense contractors and drone firms, typically weighs accredited degrees, licenses, security clearances and hands-on experience heavily. A private online qualification is judged case by case by each employer, and its value depends on the skills it demonstrates and the candidate's track record. It should be seen as a way to build specialist knowledge rather than a guaranteed credential for any role.
Can I realistically study this from the United States while working full time, and how is it paid for?
The programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home and no student visa is needed. A master's requires about 1,900 hours, a postgraduate diplomas about 800 hours, and specialist courses about 300 hours, so planning weekly hours is essential. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers sponsor staff training, which you should confirm with your own employer.
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
Characterise the space debris environment and its evolution.
Interpret data from catalogues and space surveillance services.
Propagate orbits with realistic covariance.
Calculate collision probability in conjunctions.
Design collision avoidance manoeuvres using decision criteria.
Apply debris mitigation and re-entry rules.
Analyse space traffic governance models.
Who it's for
- Space situational awareness analysts.
- Flight dynamics engineers.
- Space debris specialists.
- Satellite operators.
- Space policy consultants.
- Space sustainability engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join a satellite operator.
What you'll work with
- CCSDS 508.0-B (Conjunction Data Message)
- ISO 24113 (space debris mitigation requirements)
- IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (inter-agency debris mitigation guidelines)
- COPUOS Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities (UN sustainability guidelines)
- ECSS-U-AS-10C (space sustainability: debris mitigation)
- NASA-STD-8719.14 (process for limiting orbital debris)
- Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (1972) (UN Liability Convention)
- NASA CARA Analysis Tools
- ESA DRAMA
- Orekit
- STK
- Python
8 modules
1.1Populations of objects in orbit1.2Debris sources: explosions and collisions1.3Historical fragmentation events1.4MASTER and ORDEM models1.5Kessler syndrome1.6Density by altitude1.7Micro-debris and meteoroids1.8Long-term evolution1.9Environment indicators1.10Workshop: analysis of the LEO population
2.1Radar and optical sensors2.2Surveillance and tracking networks2.3EU SST service2.4Public and commercial catalogues2.5Correlation of observations2.6Quality of catalogued orbits2.7TLE and OEM formats2.8Sharing of operator ephemerides2.9Limitations of catalogues2.10Practical exercise: comparison of ephemerides from different sources
3.1High-precision propagation3.2Atmospheric density models3.3Drag uncertainty3.4Covariance propagation3.5Covariance realism3.6Filters and estimation3.7Prediction windows3.8Space weather and storms3.9Validation of predictions3.10Lab: covariance propagation in Orekit
4.1Conjunction data messages4.2Encounter geometry4.3Encounter plane4.4Foster and Alfano collision probability4.5Long-duration encounters4.6Maximum probability4.7Decision thresholds4.8Time evolution of risk4.9False alarms4.10Practical exercise: Pc calculation from a CDM
5.1Decision process5.2Manoeuvre design5.3Impact on the mission5.4Coordination between operators5.5Manoeuvres in constellations5.6Satellites without propulsion5.7Post-manoeuvre verification5.8Automation of collision avoidance5.9Decision logging5.10Case study: avoidance of a catalogued object
6.1Mitigation guidelines6.2The 25-year rule and stricter trends6.3Passivation6.4Graveyard orbits6.5Controlled and uncontrolled re-entry6.6On-ground casualty risk from re-entry6.7Design for demise6.8Active debris removal6.9Assessment with DRAMA6.10Practical exercise: end-of-life compliance analysis
7.1United Nations treaties7.2Liability and registration of objects7.3National legislation7.4European initiatives7.5Space traffic management7.6Norms of responsible behaviour7.7Transparency and data sharing7.8Insurance and liability7.9Ethics and sustainability7.10Case study: proposed traffic rules for LEO
8.1Operational scenario8.2Data sources8.3Conjunction analysis8.4Decision criteria8.5Manoeuvre strategy8.6End-of-life plan8.7Regulatory fit8.8Conclusions8.9Report 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 it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is NASA CARA Analysis Tools, ESA DRAMA, Orekit, STK and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for calculating collision probability from CDMs, planning collision avoidance manoeuvres and checking compliance with deorbiting rules. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: CCSDS 508.0-B, ISO 24113, IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, COPUOS Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, ECSS-U-AS-10C, NASA-STD-8719.14, Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (1972).
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.
- 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 NASA CARA Analysis Tools, ESA DRAMA, Orekit, STK 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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