AS26 – Ground Station Software Development and Satellite Operations
Lead: Dr. Ramson Nyamukondiwa
Overview
- Strasbourg, France
- 26 May – 5 June 2026
- Course taught in English
- 2,000
Satellite communication and ground station operations form the critical link between space assets and Earth, enabling real-time data exchange, mission control, and global connectivity across scientific, commercial, and institutional missions.
This intensive two-week Advanced Studies course focuses on ground station software development and satellite operations, highlighting the essential role of ground systems in ensuring mission success—from CubeSats to large constellations. Taught by ISU faculty and industry practitioners, the course combines solid theoretical foundations with extensive hands-on experience using open-source tools and Software Defined Radios (SDRs).
Participants design and implement custom ground station software for real-time data acquisition, automation, and mission management, gaining practical skills directly applicable to modern satellite missions.
This course is for you if you want a technically grounded, practice-oriented introduction to satellite communications and operational ground systems
Apply now — external seats are limited.
Program Summary
Weekdays 9:00–17:30 | ~70% hands-on
Week 1 — Foundations of Ground Systems and Satellite Communications
The first week introduces the fundamentals of satellite communications and ground systems. Participants explore ground station architectures, RF communication principles, satellite tracking, and telemetry, while building core programming and SDR foundations needed for practical implementation.
Key themes include:
Satellite communications and mission operations fundamentals
Ground station hardware and system architectures
RF principles, antennas, modulation, and frequency management
Satellite tracking, orbit prediction, and TT&C basics
Introduction to Software Defined Radios (SDRs), GNU Radio, and ground station interfaces
Week 2 — Software Development and Mission Operations
The second week focuses on applied software development and operational workflows. Participants design, implement, and demonstrate functional ground station software while addressing real mission constraints.
Key themes include:
Ground station software design and automation
Real-time data acquisition and telemetry decoding
Uplink and downlink establishment
Command sequencing and mission control workflows
Pass scheduling, operational planning, and system integration
Final system demonstrations and technical presentations
What You Will Learn?
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Understand and explain ground station architectures and satellite communication principles
Design and implement basic ground station software using open-source tools
Establish and manage uplink and downlink satellite communication links
Decode telemetry and operate satellite tracking systems
Automate ground station operations to improve mission efficiency
Apply operational best practices to educational, research, and commercial satellite missions
Additional informations
This course is particularly suited for:
Graduate students and early-career professionals
Engineers and researchers in satellite systems or communications
Technical managers seeking operational insight into ground systems
Participants interested in CubeSat missions, satellite operations, and ground software development
External seats: limited
On-campus, in-person at ISU Strasbourg
Weekdays, 9:00–17:30
30% lectures / 70% hands-on practical sessions
Bring your own laptop
Assessment is based on applied technical work and participation:
60% — Practical Ground Station Project: development and demonstration of a functional ground station software workflow
25% — Technical Presentation: system design, implementation, and operational results
15% — Participation and Engagement: active involvement in hands-on sessions and mission simulations
No formal exams. Grading on a French 0–20 scale. Certificate of completion + ECTS transcript.
Advanced Studies
The “Advanced Studies” that are part of ISU’s Master programs – the Master of Science in Space Studies (MSc) and Master in Space Studies (MSS) are now also open for participation to all.
They take place onsite, at ISU central campus in France.
