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Course Overview
Learn about launch systems, antennas, communications, payloads, and integration in spacecraft systems.
- Course Name: Spacecraft Systems
- SCQF Credit Level Equivalence: 10
- Prerequisites: A numerate first degree or equivalent experience
- Total Hours: 30 hours study time + 1-day in-person workshop
Course Duration and Dates
- Course Duration: 6 weeks online + 1 in-person workshop
Course Summary
This course covers various aspects of space data, including:
- Launch systems
- Antennas and communications
- Power, attitude, and control systems
- Payloads and integration
- Calibration and operations (including ground stations)
- Case studies on various aspects of spacecraft operations
The course concludes with an on-campus group project where participants design a space mission, allowing them to apply their knowledge in a collaborative environment.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will:
- Be familiar with the challenges of operating in the space environment, including planetary surfaces.
- Understand the key components of a spacecraft, their functions, and limitations.
- Grasp the trade-offs between different spacecraft components and how they are balanced, using real-world examples.
- Know the relevant industry standards, including jargon and terminology.
Course Format
- Synchronous Online Delivery: 6 weeks
- 1 hour of online weekly meetings plus engagement with discussion boards
- 3-4 hours of independent study per week
- In-Person Workshop: 1-day session in Edinburgh, where you will apply the skills learned during the course with the guidance of industry experts.
- Assessments: Formative assessments through weekly online quizzes and tests, including quantitative assessments, to provide feedback aligned with industry standards.
Meet the Experts
Course Leaders
- Dr Simon Podilchak
- Dr Yue Hu
- Prof Colin Snodgrass
- Dr Matjaz Vidmar
- Prof Iain Woodhouse
- Dr Helen Szoor-McElhinney
Industry Experts
A team of leading industry professionals will be available during the in-person workshop to facilitate learning and engage with participants.
Applications for this course in 2024 have now closed. To register your interest for courses in 2025, please do so here: