CPD Fundamentals of Space
7 x one-week courses
If you’ve ever dreamed of working in the space sector – whether creating your own company, or preparing for a role in a multi-national space business, the University of Leicester and partners are offering a primer to put you on the launchpad to a career in the space industry.
Start date:
Course information
Taught by Space Park Leicester
Course description
Course description
Fundamentals of Space is a professional development programme designed to provide learners with a clear understanding of the origins and applications of space missions, the national and international factors which drive activities in space, and a clear working knowledge of the science, engineering and regulation of spaceflight, and space missions.
Offering up to seven weeks of accredited training, the course is delivered at Space Park Leicester, the University’s pioneering £100 million science and innovation park, and delivered by an experienced team who are internationally respected in the sector.
The programme comprises 14 in-depth modules over seven weeks of training, delivered in-person, over a six-month period.
Designed for technical and non-technical professionals who want to develop a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to design, build, launch and operate a space mission, including regulatory aspects.
Each week-long course is themed and divided into two modules, addressing different aspects of the theme. Courses are delivered by internationally respected space sector partners, allowing learners to choose as many or as few courses as they need. Additionally, participants can earn formal recognition for their learning through CPD credits.
The programme has been designed to be accessible for individuals with mathematics abilities comparable to A-level.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements.
The programme has been designed to be accessible for individuals with mathematics abilities comparable to A-level.
English Language Requirements
If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
Fees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
The full seven-week programme in total costs £8,750.
Each course individually costs £1,500. Discounts are available if booking more than one course at the same time, as outlined below:
- 1 course - £1,500
- 2 courses - £2,925
- 3 courses - £4,275
- 4 courses - £5,550
- 5 courses - £6,750
- 6 courses - £7,875
- 7 courses (full programme) - £8,750 (saving £1,750)
Lunch and refreshments are provided each day.
International Students
Fees for international students are the same as UK student fees.
Facilities
Facilities
Fundamentals of Space is delivered at Space Park Leicester. Officially opened by British astronaut Tim Peake in March 2022, Space Park builds on Leicester’s 60-plus year heritage as an international participant in space science and exploration, and a major collaborator with international space agencies, research institutes and industry. This £100 million development is the world’s first science and innovation park dedicated to – and specifically designed for – space-related companies and researchers.
Offering 9,700 square metres of laboratories, workshops, offices, teaching spaces, manufacturing facilities and specialist computational environments including a Concurrent Design Facility and a Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality lab, focussing primarily on research, development and applications of space.
Delegates attending Fundamentals of Space will spend their contact weeks at Space Park Leicester, working within our digital teaching spaces, undertaking lectures, seminars and computational workshops, and will also have an opportunity to tour the facilities and try some hands-on activities in between sessions.
Weeks 4 and 5 will be delivered in our Concurrent Design Facility.
Week 1 includes a visit to the National Space Centre.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Individuals with technical backgrounds
By selecting all courses, the programme provides a flexible conversion for technical professionals moving, or planning to move, into the space sector.
Organisations moving into the space sector
The programme supports management or technical leads who understand how to successfully produce and deploy products in space, including the legal and regulatory requirements.
Individuals who require rapid upskilling in certain roles
The programme can help upskill individuals for difficult-to-recruit roles such as Systems Engineering and Spacecraft Operations.
Individuals in supporting roles
The course will help improve knowledge and understanding of a space-related business for individuals not directly involved in delivery (e.g. marketing).
Course structure
Week 1 – Commercial, Scientific and Strategic Use of Space
Week 1 – Commercial, Scientific and Strategic Use of Space
- Module A: Introduction to Spaceflight and Space Applications
- Module B: The Space Economy, Law and Regulation
This week offers an inspirational journey through the history and future of space exploration, featuring hands-on activities and authentic space hardware. You will explore the evolution of space exploitation, from early milestones to current and future programmes, along with the applications driving global space industries. The modules also cover international treaties and legal frameworks, as well as the political and environmental factors shaping space activities today. Perfect for those looking for an introduction to the commercial, scientific, and strategic impact of space exploration.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Week 2 – Technical Challenges of Space
Week 2 – Technical Challenges of Space
- Module A: The Space Environment
- Module B: Orbits and Propulsion
This week offers an in-depth, technical exploration of the space environment, covering orbits, space propulsion systems, and the challenges space presents to operations. Through quantitative analysis, you’ll gain a deep understanding of how spacecraft are manoeuvred in space and how propulsion systems work in the vacuum of space. We’ll address the unique obstacles posed by the space environment and discuss how they impact spacecraft design and function. These modules are perfect for those interested in the mechanics of space travel and the engineering behind space operations.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Week 3 – Space Communications and Regulations
Week 3 – Space Communications and Regulations
- Module A: Communications and Frequency Spectrum
- Module B: Law, Licensing and Regulation
This week delves into the design and operation of space communications, exploring the technical principles of how spacecraft communicate and transmit data while in orbit. You’ll also learn about the legal and regulatory frameworks necessary for spacecraft to be launched and operate, guided by world-renowned experts from Alden Legal. Gain insight into the compliance processes required to ensure successful missions and seamless communication in space. These modules delivered by Alden Legal are ideal for those interested in the intersection of space technology, law, and regulation in the growing space industry.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Week 4 – Spacecraft Systems Engineering
Week 4 – Spacecraft Systems Engineering
- Module A: Space Systems Engineering
- Module B: Concurrent Design for Space
In this week, you’ll work closely with our spaceflight engineering team to participate in a mission design simulation within our Concurrent Design Facility. We begin by examining the key subsystems of a spacecraft, exploring their functions, and then dive into how spacecraft are designed, assembled, integrated, and verified in a structured, phased process. You’ll also learn about the project management methodologies that underpin successful space missions. Next, you’ll move into a specialist spaceflight engineering facility, where we explore the methodology used by space agencies and industry to rapidly develop and analyse new mission concepts for proposal writing and production.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Week 5 – Newspace Mission Operations
Week 5 – Newspace Mission Operations
- Module A: Mission and Operations Design
- Module B: Operations Readiness and Mission Execution
In these hands-on modules, delivered by Meridian Space Command, you’ll discover what it takes to run a mission from concept to completion inside a Mission Control Centre. You’ll take the lead in designing, creating, testing, reviewing, executing, and auditing your mission using the latest industry-adopted New Space mission software. Gain real-world experience as you work alongside an Operations Team to turn mission concepts into reality and achieve mission goals. These modules provide essential knowledge and insight into the inner workings of a New Space Mission Operations Team, offering a complete view of mission management.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Weeks 6 – Space Politics and Sustainability
Weeks 6 – Space Politics and Sustainability
- Module A: The Politics of Space
- Module B: Space Sustainability: Concepts, Policy and Legislation
In this week delivered by Alden Legal, you’ll explore the complex international politics surrounding space activities. With the rapid increase in space operations, sustainability is now a crucial consideration for those involved in designing, building, and operating space hardware and data products. You’ll examine the growing challenges posed by space debris, the risks to our technological infrastructure and space assets, and how the global space community is responding. This is an essential topic for anyone working in or engaging with the future of space exploration and technology.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Week 7 – The Business of the Space Economy
Week 7 – The Business of the Space Economy
- Module A: Exploring the Dynamics of the Space Economy: Space Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation
- Module B: Mastering the Space Business Landscape: Empowering Space Start-ups, Talent Management, Equality Diversity and Inclusion, Legal Frameworks, and Future Strategies
This week immerses participants in the entrepreneurial and strategic landscape of the evolving space economy. You’ll delve into key areas such as entrepreneurship, competitive strategy, financial planning, and talent management, all within the unique context of the space industry. Learn how to reimagine value chains and navigate complex space legislation to gain actionable insights crucial for strategic decision-making. By the end of these modules, you’ll be equipped with a nuanced understanding of space business dynamics, ready to seize opportunities for sustainable growth and innovation in this dynamic and fast-paced industry.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester
Each course is delivered by a team comprising individuals with extensive experience in the development, management, delivery and operation of spacecraft payloads and missions, from small technology demonstrators to large international missions, and authoring of regulations and legislation governing international space operations.
The programme is led by the University of Leicester, with over 6 decades of experience in space, including significant roles in major missions including James Webb Space Telescope, JUICE, BepiColombo, and Earth Observation missions, working with ESA, NASA, JAXA and a wide range of international industry and academic partners.
The course team are all involved in the development and delivery of skills and training at Undergraduate, Postgraduate and CPD levels, and know how to turn professional experience into engaging, effective teaching.
The University has 'end-to-end' capability, covering the earliest phases of concept development, including fundamental scientific and engineering drivers, through to assembly, integration and testing, launch support, operations and data exploitation.
Teaching and learning
There are no assessments for each course. The programme is designed with some understanding of the financial and time constraints faced by learners who are already in full time employment, so preparatory activities are kept to a minimum and limited to a small number of suggested articles to read.
We are accrediting our modules with CPD-UK, which provides certification of professional learning courses that is recognised by a large number of UK employers. Learners will receive CPD-UK certificates on completion of each module.
Delivery partners include Alden Legal and Meridian Space Command. Alden is a specialist legal consultancy internationally known for their satellite, space and communications law and regulatory expertise. They specialise in providing legal, regulatory, policy and consulting advice in Europe; working at the cutting edge of commercial, transactional, regulatory, policy and national security issues in the satellite, space, communications and applications industries.
Meridian Space Command services the emerging space industry, enabling low-TRL technology projects to secure funding for, and complete, UK Technology Demonstration Missions, enabling maturing of concepts and technologies to TRL~6 and onward expansion to commercial markets. It also provides end-to-end solutions for Mission Management, Operations, Software, Audits, and has experience in running educational short-courses to train the next generation of Newspace Mission Operators.
Key dates
Week 1 – Commercial, Scientific and Strategic Use of Space
Dates: 16–20 June 2025
Week 2 – Technical Challenges of Space
Dates: 7–11 July 2025
Week 3 – Space Communications and Regulations
Dates: 8–12 September 2025
Week 4 – Spacecraft Systems Engineering
Dates: 6–10 October 2025
Week 5 – Newspace Mission Operations
Dates: 13–17 October 2025
Week 6 – Space Politics and Sustainability
Dates: 10–14 November 2025
Week 7 – The Business of the Space Economy
Dates: 8–12 December 2025
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Fundamentals of Space | Qualification CPD | Duration 7 x one-week courses | Availability Apply Now |
