Space Industry Skillnet partners with UCD Centre for Space Research to launch two cutting-edge micro-credentials

These new short courses, Space Professional Skills and Basic Synthetic Aperture Radar, are designed to address the growing demand for specialised knowledge in space technology and research, offering flexible learning opportunities for those looking to advance their careers in this dynamic field.

Space Industry Skillnet

These micro-credentials have been developed with (opens in a new window)Space Industry Skillnet and (opens in a new window)Skillnet Ireland, with European ESF+ funding, to enable Industry participation.

Space Industry Skillnet’s mission is to support businesses involved in the development and delivery of technology and services to the European Space Agency (ESA) and the global space market.

“Space Industry Skillnet is delighted to partner with UCD C-Space, under the Skillnet Ireland ESF+ funding, to deliver these much-needed micro-credential short courses, that are essential for the development of the space sector in Ireland.”

Space Professional Skills: Jump-starting your knowledge of the ESA ITT process

The Space Professional Skills micro-credential equips participants with the essential knowledge to excel in three critical areas of the space industry: crafting effective proposals under time constraints, writing and interpreting technical requirements, and gaining a foundational understanding of space program management.

This course is ideal for individuals involved in preparing funding bids or those interested in learning about the specific methods of space program management and requirements used across the space sector. It's particularly relevant for professionals in academia and industry seeking to collaborate with major space agencies in their work or research.

Basic Synthetic Aperture Radar: Comprehensive solutions to complex spatial problems

The Basic Synthetic Aperture Radar micro-credential provides learners with a comprehensive introduction to the radar and signal processing principles fundamental to Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). It begins with an overview of SAR sensor technologies and their applications, setting the stage for hands-on sessions where learners apply standard data processing and analysis tools to real-world scenarios. With the growing capabilities of modern spacecraft, SAR satellite data is becoming increasingly valuable. In Ireland, SAR is especially beneficial due to its ability to penetrate clouds.

Specialisation in this topic will broaden the set of analysis tools available to those with a range of roles, for example, in planning, sustainability, meteorology or data analytics, and those who wish to move from a physics or astrophysics background to a more applied area.

Meeting Industry Demands

The UCD Centre for Space Research and Space Industry Skillnet has developed these micro-credentials in collaboration with industry to ensure that the content is aligned with current and future industry needs. Professor Lorraine Hanlon, Director of C-Space emphasized the importance of these micro-credentials in meeting the talent demands of the space sector.

"Bringing this specialised expertise to a wider audience will open up opportunities for companies to make greater use of space-based SAR data. Doing business with the European Space Agency (ESA) can sometimes be a daunting prospect. The space professional skills micro-credential is designed to de-mystify the process and encourage more businesses to engage with ESA,” says Professor Hanlon.

A Gateway to the Future of Space Careers

As the space industry continues to expand, the demand for qualified professionals with niche expertise is on the rise. UCD's new micro-credentials offer a gateway for individuals to enter this exciting field or enhance their existing knowledge, positioning them at the forefront of space innovation.

Enrolment for both micro-credentials is now open, with courses set to begin in October 2024. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply early, as spaces are limited.

For more information, visit UCD Micro-credentials.

For questions related to UCD micro-credentials, email (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie.

This Space Industry Skillnet programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.