ESPAST · ESAS Paris
Paris College of Aeronautics and Space

Spacecraft Systems Engineering and Simulation — Bachelor

Programme overview

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

• Develop space foundations skills in environment, orbits and scientific missions, explaining methods, evidence and limitations.

• Develop system components skills in power, thermal control, payloads and data, explaining methods, evidence and limitations.

• Develop system modelling skills in interfaces, functions and behaviour, explaining methods, evidence and limitations.

• Develop mission simulation skills in operational scenarios and parameter analysis, explaining methods, evidence and limitations.

• Develop operational data skills in educational telemetry and system condition, explaining methods, evidence and limitations.

• Develop engineering practice skills in a scientific satellite subsystem digital twin, explaining methods, evidence and limitations.

Learning content and competency modules

ModuleLearning contentAssessment evidence
Space foundationsEnvironment, orbits and scientific missionsProblem definition and reasoned analysis
System componentsPower, thermal control, payloads and dataReproducible case or model documentation
System modellingInterfaces, functions and behaviourQuality and traceability records
Mission simulationOperational scenarios and parameter analysisComparison of options and testing evidence
Operational dataEducational telemetry and system conditionProject plan and collaboration records
Engineering practiceA scientific satellite subsystem digital twinIntegrated 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.