Space Tech & Orbital Manufacturing

A career roadmap for the new space age. From aerospace fundamentals and orbital mechanics through satellite engineering, space communications, and in-space manufacturing to resource utilisation and space policy — this path prepares you for careers in an industry projected to exceed a trillion dollars by 2040.

12 milestones in this roadmap

Step 1beginner8-10 weeks

Aerospace Engineering Fundamentals

Build a foundation in aerospace engineering covering aerodynamics, structural mechanics, propulsion fundamentals, and flight mechanics.

Curriculum

1Aerodynamics: lift, drag, boundary layers, compressible flow
2Structural analysis: stress, strain, composite laminates, FEA
3Thermodynamics of propulsion systems and nozzle design
4Flight mechanics: equations of motion, stability derivatives
5Atmospheric vs vacuum flight regime differences
6Systems engineering lifecycle for aerospace programs

Tools & Platforms

MATLAB / SimulinkANSYS (structural FEA)OpenVSP (vehicle geometry)XFLR5 (aero analysis)

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Step 1beginner8-10 weeks

Aerospace Engineering Fundamentals

Build a foundation in aerospace engineering covering aerodynamics, structural mechanics, propulsion fundamentals, and flight mechanics.

Curriculum

1Aerodynamics: lift, drag, boundary layers, compressible flow
2Structural analysis: stress, strain, composite laminates, FEA
3Thermodynamics of propulsion systems and nozzle design
4Flight mechanics: equations of motion, stability derivatives
5

Step 2intermediate8-10 weeks

Orbital Mechanics & Astrodynamics

Master the mathematics of spaceflight: Kepler's laws, orbital elements, transfer orbits, gravity assists, and Lagrange point dynamics.

Curriculum

1Two-body problem: vis-viva equation and orbital elements
2Hohmann and bi-elliptic transfer orbit design
3Gravity assist trajectories and patched conic approximation
4Restricted three-body problem and Lagrange points (L1-L5)

Step 3intermediate6-8 weeks

Rocket Propulsion Systems

Study chemical, electric, and advanced propulsion systems including rocket equation analysis, specific impulse trade-offs, and engine cycle architectures.

Curriculum

1Tsiolkovsky rocket equation and mass ratio optimisation
2Liquid bipropellant engine cycles: gas generator, staged combustion, full-flow
3Solid motor design: grain geometry, burn rate, and thrust profiles
4Electric propulsion: ion thruster, Hall effect, and arcjet physics

Step 4intermediate8-10 weeks

Satellite Design & Systems Engineering

Design complete satellite systems through the systems engineering lifecycle covering all subsystems: power, ADCS, thermal, C&DH, and payload integration.

Curriculum

1Satellite bus architecture and subsystem interaction
2Power budget: solar array sizing, battery depth-of-discharge, eclipse analysis
3ADCS: reaction wheels, star trackers, magnetorquers, control algorithms
4Thermal control: radiators, MLI, heaters, and thermal modelling

Step 5intermediate6-8 weeks

Space Communication & Ground Stations

Master space-to-ground and inter-satellite communication: RF link budgets, antenna design, frequency band selection, and ground station operations.

Curriculum

1RF link budget analysis: EIRP, G/T, Eb/N0, link margin
2Antenna types: parabolic reflector, phased array, patch, helix
3Frequency bands: S, X, Ka, and optical communication trade-offs
4Modulation and coding: QPSK, 8PSK, LDPC, turbo codes

Step 6intermediate6-8 weeks

Space Environment & Radiation Effects

Understand the harsh space environment including radiation effects on electronics, thermal cycling, debris impacts, and shielding design strategies.

Curriculum

1Van Allen radiation belts: trapped proton and electron populations
2Solar particle events and galactic cosmic ray spectra
3Radiation effects: total ionising dose, single-event effects, displacement damage
4Radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant component design

Step 7intermediate4-6 weeks

In-Space Manufacturing Concepts

Explore microgravity manufacturing capabilities including ZBLAN fibre optics, crystal growth, pharmaceutical applications, and commercial orbital factory concepts.

Curriculum

1Microgravity fluid physics: suppressed convection and sedimentation
2ZBLAN fluoride fibre optics: preform processing in microgravity
3Protein crystallisation for pharmaceutical structure determination
4Semiconductor crystal growth without convective defects

Step 8advanced4-6 weeks

Additive Manufacturing in Microgravity

Study 3D printing technologies adapted for space: FDM in microgravity, metal additive manufacturing, regolith-based printing, and parts qualification.

Curriculum

1FDM in microgravity: layer adhesion, material containment, quality
2Metal additive: electron beam melting and laser powder bed in vacuum
3Regolith-based 3D printing for lunar/Martian construction (ICON)
4Part qualification and certification for space-critical applications

Step 9advanced6-8 weeks

Space Robotics & Autonomous Operations

Study robotic systems for space: manipulator arms, free-flying robots, on-orbit servicing vehicles, planetary rovers, and autonomous operations.

Curriculum

1Space manipulator design: Canadarm2, ERA, and GITAI arms
2Free-flying robots: Astrobee, CIMON, and inspection drones
3Autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations (ARPO)
4Planetary rovers: mobility, autonomy, and terrain navigation

Step 10advanced4-6 weeks

Space Resource Utilisation (ISRU)

Learn in-situ resource utilisation: lunar oxygen extraction, water ice mining, Martian atmosphere processing, and asteroid mining economics.

Curriculum

1Lunar regolith processing: ilmenite reduction, molten salt electrolysis
2Water ice extraction from permanently shadowed lunar craters
3Mars ISRU: MOXIE CO2 electrolysis and Sabatier methanation
4Asteroid composition surveys and resource extraction concepts

Step 11intermediate3-4 weeks

Space Policy, Law & Commercial Frameworks

Navigate space law, the Outer Space Treaty, Artemis Accords, launch licensing, spectrum coordination, and commercial space business models.

Curriculum

1Outer Space Treaty: principles, non-appropriation, liability
2Artemis Accords: safety zones, resource extraction, interoperability
3National space laws: launch licensing (FAA/AST, CNES, UKSA)
4ITU frequency coordination and orbital slot allocation

Step 12advanced4-6 weeks

Emerging Frontiers (Space Elevators, Asteroid Mining, Lunar/Mars Manufacturing)

Evaluate ambitious future space technologies including space elevators, industrial asteroid mining, permanent lunar bases, and Martian self-sufficiency.

Curriculum

1Space elevator mechanics: tether materials, climber design, counterweight
2Industrial asteroid mining: Psyche mission, extraction economics
3Lunar manufacturing base: power, habitat, and production facilities
4Mars manufacturing for colony self-sufficiency (Sabatier, 3D printing)

Ready to start this journey?

Browse our courses and books to begin your learning path.

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Atmospheric vs vacuum flight regime differences

6Systems engineering lifecycle for aerospace programs

Tools & Platforms

MATLAB / SimulinkANSYS (structural FEA)OpenVSP (vehicle geometry)XFLR5 (aero analysis)

Orbital perturbations: J2, drag, solar radiation pressure, third body

6Low-thrust trajectory optimisation and spiral transfers

Tools & Platforms

GMAT (General Mission Analysis Tool)STK (Ansys/AGI)poliastro (Python)Astropy

Step 2intermediate8-10 weeks

Orbital Mechanics & Astrodynamics

Master the mathematics of spaceflight: Kepler's laws, orbital elements, transfer orbits, gravity assists, and Lagrange point dynamics.

Curriculum

1Two-body problem: vis-viva equation and orbital elements
2Hohmann and bi-elliptic transfer orbit design
3Gravity assist trajectories and patched conic approximation
4Restricted three-body problem and Lagrange points (L1-L5)
5Orbital perturbations: J2, drag, solar radiation pressure, third body
6Low-thrust trajectory optimisation and spiral transfers

Tools & Platforms

GMAT (General Mission Analysis Tool)STK (Ansys/AGI)poliastro (Python)Astropy

Propellant management: tank pressurisation, slosh, and thermal control

6Advanced concepts: nuclear thermal, solar sails, and laser propulsion

Tools & Platforms

NASA CEA (Chemical Equilibrium with Applications)RPA (Rocket Propulsion Analysis)MATLAB (trajectory simulation)OpenRocket (model scale)

Step 3intermediate6-8 weeks

Rocket Propulsion Systems

Study chemical, electric, and advanced propulsion systems including rocket equation analysis, specific impulse trade-offs, and engine cycle architectures.

Curriculum

1Tsiolkovsky rocket equation and mass ratio optimisation
2Liquid bipropellant engine cycles: gas generator, staged combustion, full-flow
3Solid motor design: grain geometry, burn rate, and thrust profiles
4Electric propulsion: ion thruster, Hall effect, and arcjet physics
5Propellant management: tank pressurisation, slosh, and thermal control
6Advanced concepts: nuclear thermal, solar sails, and laser propulsion

Tools & Platforms

NASA CEA (Chemical Equilibrium with Applications)RPA (Rocket Propulsion Analysis)MATLAB (trajectory simulation)OpenRocket (model scale)

5Command and data handling: onboard computer, data budgets

6Requirements flowdown, design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), and V-model

Tools & Platforms

STK (orbit and link analysis)Thermal Desktop (thermal modelling)SolidWorks / NX (CAD)MATLAB / Simulink (ADCS simulation)

Step 4intermediate8-10 weeks

Satellite Design & Systems Engineering

Design complete satellite systems through the systems engineering lifecycle covering all subsystems: power, ADCS, thermal, C&DH, and payload integration.

Curriculum

1Satellite bus architecture and subsystem interaction
2Power budget: solar array sizing, battery depth-of-discharge, eclipse analysis
3ADCS: reaction wheels, star trackers, magnetorquers, control algorithms
4Thermal control: radiators, MLI, heaters, and thermal modelling
5Command and data handling: onboard computer, data budgets
6Requirements flowdown, design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), and V-model

Tools & Platforms

STK (orbit and link analysis)Thermal Desktop (thermal modelling)SolidWorks / NX (CAD)MATLAB / Simulink (ADCS simulation)

Ground station architecture and network scheduling

6Optical inter-satellite links: pointing, acquisition, tracking (PAT)

Tools & Platforms

STK Communications moduleMATLAB (link budget calculators)AWS Ground StationGNU Radio (SDR prototyping)

Step 5intermediate6-8 weeks

Space Communication & Ground Stations

Master space-to-ground and inter-satellite communication: RF link budgets, antenna design, frequency band selection, and ground station operations.

Curriculum

1RF link budget analysis: EIRP, G/T, Eb/N0, link margin
2Antenna types: parabolic reflector, phased array, patch, helix
3Frequency bands: S, X, Ka, and optical communication trade-offs
4Modulation and coding: QPSK, 8PSK, LDPC, turbo codes
5Ground station architecture and network scheduling
6Optical inter-satellite links: pointing, acquisition, tracking (PAT)

Tools & Platforms

STK Communications moduleMATLAB (link budget calculators)AWS Ground StationGNU Radio (SDR prototyping)

5MMOD risk assessment and Whipple shield design

6Atomic oxygen erosion in LEO and material selection

Tools & Platforms

SPENVIS (space environment modelling)OMERE (radiation dose analysis)MASTER / ORDEM (debris environment)Geant4 (radiation transport simulation)

Step 6intermediate6-8 weeks

Space Environment & Radiation Effects

Understand the harsh space environment including radiation effects on electronics, thermal cycling, debris impacts, and shielding design strategies.

Curriculum

1Van Allen radiation belts: trapped proton and electron populations
2Solar particle events and galactic cosmic ray spectra
3Radiation effects: total ionising dose, single-event effects, displacement damage
4Radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant component design
5MMOD risk assessment and Whipple shield design
6Atomic oxygen erosion in LEO and material selection

Tools & Platforms

SPENVIS (space environment modelling)OMERE (radiation dose analysis)MASTER / ORDEM (debris environment)Geant4 (radiation transport simulation)

5ISS National Lab manufacturing experiments and results

6Commercial business case and cost-per-kg economics

Tools & Platforms

ISS National Lab experiment databaseRedwire Space manufacturing platformsVarda Space Industries (re-entry capsules)COMSOL (microgravity fluid modelling)

Step 7intermediate4-6 weeks

In-Space Manufacturing Concepts

Explore microgravity manufacturing capabilities including ZBLAN fibre optics, crystal growth, pharmaceutical applications, and commercial orbital factory concepts.

Curriculum

1Microgravity fluid physics: suppressed convection and sedimentation
2ZBLAN fluoride fibre optics: preform processing in microgravity
3Protein crystallisation for pharmaceutical structure determination
4Semiconductor crystal growth without convective defects
5ISS National Lab manufacturing experiments and results
6Commercial business case and cost-per-kg economics

Tools & Platforms

ISS National Lab experiment databaseRedwire Space manufacturing platformsVarda Space Industries (re-entry capsules)COMSOL (microgravity fluid modelling)

5In-situ recycling and feedstock from waste materials

6Large-scale structure assembly: Archinaut and beam fabrication

Tools & Platforms

Redwire Regolith PrintNASA Vulcan Manufacturing SystemUltimaker / Markforged (ground qualification)CT scanning (part inspection)

Step 8advanced4-6 weeks

Additive Manufacturing in Microgravity

Study 3D printing technologies adapted for space: FDM in microgravity, metal additive manufacturing, regolith-based printing, and parts qualification.

Curriculum

1FDM in microgravity: layer adhesion, material containment, quality
2Metal additive: electron beam melting and laser powder bed in vacuum
3Regolith-based 3D printing for lunar/Martian construction (ICON)
4Part qualification and certification for space-critical applications
5In-situ recycling and feedstock from waste materials
6Large-scale structure assembly: Archinaut and beam fabrication

Tools & Platforms

Redwire Regolith PrintNASA Vulcan Manufacturing SystemUltimaker / Markforged (ground qualification)CT scanning (part inspection)

Tele-robotics with significant communication time delay

6AI-enabled autonomous mission planning and fault recovery

Tools & Platforms

ROS 2 (space robotics adaptation)Gazebo (space environment simulation)V-REP / CoppeliaSimNASA GSFC FPrime flight software

Step 9advanced6-8 weeks

Space Robotics & Autonomous Operations

Study robotic systems for space: manipulator arms, free-flying robots, on-orbit servicing vehicles, planetary rovers, and autonomous operations.

Curriculum

1Space manipulator design: Canadarm2, ERA, and GITAI arms
2Free-flying robots: Astrobee, CIMON, and inspection drones
3Autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations (ARPO)
4Planetary rovers: mobility, autonomy, and terrain navigation
5Tele-robotics with significant communication time delay
6AI-enabled autonomous mission planning and fault recovery

Tools & Platforms

ROS 2 (space robotics adaptation)Gazebo (space environment simulation)V-REP / CoppeliaSimNASA GSFC FPrime flight software

Beneficiation and material processing in reduced gravity

6ISRU system mass and power budgets for mission architecture

Tools & Platforms

NASA ISRU technology databasesGMAT (mission design with ISRU)Thermochemical equilibrium solversPython (resource estimation models)

Step 10advanced4-6 weeks

Space Resource Utilisation (ISRU)

Learn in-situ resource utilisation: lunar oxygen extraction, water ice mining, Martian atmosphere processing, and asteroid mining economics.

Curriculum

1Lunar regolith processing: ilmenite reduction, molten salt electrolysis
2Water ice extraction from permanently shadowed lunar craters
3Mars ISRU: MOXIE CO2 electrolysis and Sabatier methanation
4Asteroid composition surveys and resource extraction concepts
5Beneficiation and material processing in reduced gravity
6ISRU system mass and power budgets for mission architecture

Tools & Platforms

NASA ISRU technology databasesGMAT (mission design with ISRU)Thermochemical equilibrium solversPython (resource estimation models)

Space debris mitigation guidelines (IADC, FCC 5-year rule)

6Commercial space business models: launch, data, tourism, manufacturing

Tools & Platforms

UNOOSA treaty databaseFCC / ITU spectrum filing systemsSpace Foundation reportsBryce Tech / Euroconsult market reports

Step 11intermediate3-4 weeks

Space Policy, Law & Commercial Frameworks

Navigate space law, the Outer Space Treaty, Artemis Accords, launch licensing, spectrum coordination, and commercial space business models.

Curriculum

1Outer Space Treaty: principles, non-appropriation, liability
2Artemis Accords: safety zones, resource extraction, interoperability
3National space laws: launch licensing (FAA/AST, CNES, UKSA)
4ITU frequency coordination and orbital slot allocation
5Space debris mitigation guidelines (IADC, FCC 5-year rule)
6Commercial space business models: launch, data, tourism, manufacturing

Tools & Platforms

UNOOSA treaty databaseFCC / ITU spectrum filing systemsSpace Foundation reportsBryce Tech / Euroconsult market reports

5Orbital habitat construction: O'Neill cylinders, Stanford torus

6Technology readiness assessment and investment timeline analysis

Tools & Platforms

NASA Technology RoadmapsSpaceX Starship mission architectureISECG Global Exploration RoadmapMonte Carlo simulation (feasibility analysis)

Step 12advanced4-6 weeks

Emerging Frontiers (Space Elevators, Asteroid Mining, Lunar/Mars Manufacturing)

Evaluate ambitious future space technologies including space elevators, industrial asteroid mining, permanent lunar bases, and Martian self-sufficiency.

Curriculum

1Space elevator mechanics: tether materials, climber design, counterweight
2Industrial asteroid mining: Psyche mission, extraction economics
3Lunar manufacturing base: power, habitat, and production facilities
4Mars manufacturing for colony self-sufficiency (Sabatier, 3D printing)
5Orbital habitat construction: O'Neill cylinders, Stanford torus
6Technology readiness assessment and investment timeline analysis

Tools & Platforms

NASA Technology RoadmapsSpaceX Starship mission architectureISECG Global Exploration RoadmapMonte Carlo simulation (feasibility analysis)