A hands-on introduction to Space Systems Engineering for Professionals
Key information
- Start date:
- 06 October 2025
- Attendance dates:
- 6-10 October 2025
- Time commitment:
- 30 hours
- Venue:
- Arthur C Clarke Building (Block BA) Level 2, Room 13BA02 University of Surrey Guildford Surrey GU2 7XH
- Contact details:
- FEPS Short Courses Team
- Email: fepsshortcourses@surrey.ac.uk
Overview
Space engineering and astronautics provides a foundation for human access and utilisation of space and is of growing importance to the global economy.
This five-day course will provide you with a hands-on introduction to Space Systems Engineering. The course will introduce the basic elements of a space mission, space systems engineering design, build, test, and operations considerations over a mission lifetime. This will give insights into typical requirements, constraints and best practice for space system design as well as exploring the range of applications that spacecraft systems undertake.
It is aimed at people, aged 18+, who are considering starting a career in space, new joiners to the space sector and anyone wishing to gain a deeper insight of working in this fascinating and critical sector.
We welcome all candidates. A technical, scientific, or engineering background is not required, but those that do may find it helpful.
Each day comprises a mixture of lectures and hands-on practical work, including working with our specialist training satellites.
The course will be held at the University of Surrey on the Stag Hill campus.
Absolutely superb; a genuine delight to be in the presence of people who not only have the in-depth theoretical knowledge but have also done the hands-on practical work to get satellites in orbit with payloads providing useful data and services.
Comment from a previous delegate (SpaceCraft Course for Professionals, January 2025)Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you should have a good understanding of the way that satellites are designed and built and have knowledge of:
- Space mission design
- The space environment and its effects
- Spacecraft platform sub-systems and interfaces
- Satellite manufacture, testing and operations
- Satellite applications - past, present, and future.
This course is a mix of taught and practical activities that will provide familiarity and understanding of key technical and space industry terminology, spacecraft engineering design principles with real-world examples. This will give confidence in wide range of spacecraft design challenges and solutions – ranging from single payloads to complete spacecraft and constellations.
Course content
Please note that we reserve the right to alter the syllabus. Any major changes will be notified to delegates before the course starts.
Learning and teaching methods
Learning and teaching methods include the following:
- Lectures
- Laboratory work (any required equipment will be provided)
- Tutorials
- Tour of facilities.
Assessment
There is no assessment for those who take this as an individual short course.
Course leader
Professor Craig Underwood
Emeritus Professor of Spacecraft Engineering
Reading list
- SECURE WORLD FOUNDATION, Handbook for New Actors in Space, 2nd Edition, 2024 https://www.swfound.org/publications-and-reports/handbook-for-new-actors-in-space: ISBN 979-8-9882626-6-4
- Spacecraft Systems Engineering, Editor(s): Peter Fortescue, Graham Swinerd, John Stark, 12 August 2011, Print ISBN:9780470750124 |Online ISBN:9781119971009, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
- W.J. Larson (eds) 'Space Mission Analysis & Design'(2nd Ed), Kluwer Academic Publishers ISBN 0-7923-19982.
Entry requirements
There are no prerequisites required to do this course.
Recognition of prior learning
No prior knowledge or experience in this field is assumed.
Fees and funding
Price per person:
£2,000
Introductory early-bird rate£2,300
For all bookings made after 1 September 2025What these fees include
- Course notes which will be provided in electronic format.
- For each place booked, at least 10% social value contribution will go to fund free student training space places within a two-year period.
What these fees do not include
- Refreshments - There is access to a kitchen with a water cooler and tea / coffee making facilities.
- Lunches - Please feel free to bring your own lunch (there is access to a microwave in the kitchen).
Alternatively, there are several cafes and a co-op within a 5-minute walk of the venue.
Group bookings
The rate of £2,000 per person is an introductory rate; therefore, we are unable to offer further reductions for group bookings.
Payments
Payment can be accepted by purchase order, credit card or bank transfer on our online store.
Please note that we do not charge VAT as we are an educational establishment.
Payments will be accepted subject to availability. If making payment by credit card, please forward the transaction receipt by email to the FEPS Short Courses Team
How to apply
If you are interested in attending this course, then please email the FEPS Short Courses Team to register your interest.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations and our terms and conditions. You are also confirming you have read and understood our privacy notice.
- Cancellations notified in writing ten working days before the event; we charge a cancellation fee of 35 per cent of the standard rate. If we have already received payment we refund 65 per cent of the full fee.
- Cancellations within 10 working days before the event; We charge these at the full rate and do not give refunds.
- If no written notice of cancellation is received, no refund can be made.
- The University of Surrey reserves the right to cancel any event. In this case, the full fee will be refunded unless a mutually convenient transfer can be arranged. Details of event changes or cancellations are available by emailing the FEPS Short Courses Team.
- Delegates can make a provisional registration for a course by email. However bookings are only acknowledged formally once payment has been received.
- Substitutions from the same company may be made following consultation with the FEPS Short Courses Team.
- The University reserves the right to cancel any course on the grounds of insufficient numbers or for other reasons beyond our control. In this case the full fee will be refunded unless a mutually convenient transfer can be arranged.
- Registrations cannot be accepted without a valid purchase order, credit card payment or cheque.
- Proof of payment.
- Registrations must come with a valid purchase order, credit card payment or cheque.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the commencement of the course. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read more.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillThis course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH