Orbital Transfer Course
Online course of 300 hours in orbital transfers, structured in 6 modules covering impulsive manoeuvres, coplanar transfers, Lambert's problem and general transfers, low-thrust transfers and trajectory optimisation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Orbital Transfer Course — 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: 720 US$ (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Can I study from any state?
Yes. Programmes are 100% online, so you can study from anywhere in the United States with a reliable internet connection.
Is the programme taught in English?
Yes. All programmes are taught in English, with technical materials and assessments delivered in that language.
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
Calculate impulsive manoeuvres and their Δv budget.
Compare Hohmann and bi-elliptic transfers.
Solve Lambert's problem for general transfers.
Design interplanetary transfers using patched conics.
Analyse continuous low-thrust transfers.
Apply trajectory optimisation methods.
Prepare a manoeuvre plan for a real mission.
Who it's for
- Trajectory engineers designing transfers and insertions.
- Mission analysts building Δv budgets for new missions.
- Flight dynamics engineers planning manoeuvres in operations.
- Propulsion systems engineers sizing propellant for transfers.
- Trajectory optimisation researchers.
- Manoeuvre operations engineers at satellite operators.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the space industry.
What you'll work with
- ECSS-E-ST-10-09C (reference coordinate system)
- CCSDS 502.0-B (Orbit Data Messages) (standard formats for orbit data exchange)
- ECSS-E-ST-60-30C (satellite attitude and orbit control system requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-35C (space propulsion general requirements)
- ISO 24113 (space debris mitigation requirements)
- ECSS-E-ST-10C (system engineering general requirements)
- GMAT
- pykep
- Orekit
- MATLAB
- CasADi
6 modules
1.1The impulsive manoeuvre assumption1.2The Tsiolkovsky equation1.3Tangential and radial velocity changes1.4Plane change manoeuvres1.5Combined manoeuvres1.6Gravity and finite-thrust losses1.7Mission Δv budget1.8Efficiency of manoeuvres at periapsis1.9Manoeuvre execution errors1.10Workshop: Δv calculation for an orbit insertion
2.1Hohmann transfer2.2Bi-elliptic transfer2.3Hohmann versus bi-elliptic comparison2.4Transfers between elliptical orbits2.5Phasing and orbital rendezvous2.6Transfer time2.7GTO to GEO transfer2.8Semi-major axis and eccentricity adjustment2.9Three-impulse transfers2.10Practical: Hohmann transfer in GMAT
3.1Formulation of Lambert's problem3.2Izzo and Battin algorithms3.3Porkchop plots3.4Interplanetary transfers3.5Sphere of influence and patched conics3.6Gravity assists3.7Characteristic energy C33.8Launch windows3.9Free-return trajectories3.10Lab: Earth-Mars porkchop plot
4.1Gauss's variational equations4.2Continuous-thrust spirals4.3Edelbaum approximation4.4Q-law guidance laws4.5Time and mass optimisation4.6Electric orbit raising4.7Combining high and low thrust4.8Effect of eclipses on the transfer4.9Thrust direction optimisation4.10Case study: orbit-raising spiral to GEO with Edelbaum
5.1Optimal control and Pontryagin's principle5.2Direct and collocation methods5.3Single and multiple shooting5.4Nonlinear programming5.5Operational constraints5.6Sensitivity to execution errors5.7Trajectory correction5.8Optimisation tools5.9Visibility and operations constraints5.10Case study: optimisation of a constrained transfer
6.1Definition of initial and final orbits6.2Analysis of impulsive alternatives6.3Low-thrust study6.4Trajectory optimisation6.5Δv and propellant budget6.6Execution error analysis6.7Manoeuvre plan6.8Comparison of solutions6.9Report 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 each 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, pykep, Orekit, MATLAB and CasADi, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: a Hohmann transfer from LEO to GEO, a porkchop plot for an interplanetary mission, and optimisation of a low-thrust spiral. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ECSS-E-ST-10-09C, CCSDS 502.0-B (Orbit Data Messages), ECSS-E-ST-60-30C, ECSS-E-ST-35C, ISO 24113, ECSS-E-ST-10C.
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, pykep, Orekit, MATLAB and CasADi, 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 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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