Programme overview — Bachelor Aerospace Engineering — Spacecraft Systems and Simulation
Study scientific satellites and civilian space missions, including the space environment, mission requirements, power, thermal control, payloads and data systems. Public information, synthetic data and educational models support system simulation and condition analysis. Advanced study integrates mission needs, coupled models, operational data and validation.
ESAS Paris — Paris College of Aeronautics and Space. Duration: 3 years.
Bachelor study progresses from foundations and guided exercises to integrated applied projects.
Study pathways
Scientific satellites; payload operations; space-system monitoring. All pathways share a common core. Indicate your preferred pathway when applying; actual availability is confirmed before admission.
Learning outcomes
- Relate orbital conditions and the space environment to the needs of a scientific satellite mission.
- Describe the roles and interfaces of power, thermal control, payload and data subsystems.
- Represent subsystem functions and interactions using a structured engineering model.
- Simulate mission scenarios and explain how parameter changes affect system behaviour.
- Interpret educational telemetry to identify operating conditions and possible anomalies.
- Develop a satellite subsystem digital twin and present its design choices and validation results.
Learning content and competency modules
| Module | Learning content | Assessment evidence |
| Space foundations | Environment, orbits and scientific missions | Problem definition and reasoned analysis |
| System components | Power, thermal control, payloads and data | Reproducible case or model documentation |
| System modelling | Interfaces, functions and behaviour | Quality and traceability records |
| Mission simulation | Operational scenarios and parameter analysis | Comparison of options and testing evidence |
| Operational data | Educational telemetry and system condition | Project plan and collaboration records |
| Engineering practice | A scientific satellite subsystem digital twin | Integrated report and oral defence |
Study progression
• Year 1: develop foundations, reading, analytical communication and guided cases.
• Year 2: deepen specialist methods through pathway projects and evaluation of results.
• Year 3: integrate methods in a final applied project, portfolio and oral defence.
Projects and practice
Build an educational satellite power or thermal model, connect synthetic data and evaluate operational performance.
Document the problem, working process, personal contribution, validation evidence and limitations. Individual contributions are assessed within team projects. Placements and external projects depend on actual arrangements.
Teaching and assessment
Theory, computational laboratories, system simulations, data workshops and project reviews use public, synthetic or authorised information. The programme focuses on scientific and civilian applications.
Assignments, case or laboratory work, staged projects and the final defence assess accuracy, methods, evidence quality, practical reliability and communication. Assessment weightings, reassessment and extension rules are published before teaching begins. Moodle may support resources, assignments, quizzes and feedback; specialist practical activities are assessed separately.
Entry requirements
Provide evidence of secondary education or equivalent study. Bachelor applicants should demonstrate mathematics and physics foundations. Master applicants should explain relevant engineering, computing, geography or scientific study. Requirements are assessed against the chosen programme.
Submit education evidence, transcripts, a CV, a motivation statement and any requested project materials. Teaching language, language evidence and document-translation requirements are published for the intake. Website language does not determine teaching language.
Completion and award documentation
Complete the required modules and assessments, final project and oral defence, and the published practice and academic-integrity requirements. The exact award title, awarding institution, nature and recognition scope are specified in programme information and the study agreement before formal admission.
Career development
Space-system modelling support; scientific mission data support; simulation testing. Employment depends on individual skills, experience and employer requirements. Regulated work requires the applicable qualifications and authorisations. Further study is assessed by the receiving institution.