Academic & Programs
It is with great pleasure that we present the inaugural Yearbook of the European Space Defence Academy (ESDA). Established in response to the rapidly evolving strategic landscape of outer space, ESDA represents Europe’s commitment to advancing knowledge, operational expertise, and collaborative leadership in the space domain.
The Academy was conceived to address the growing need for a dedicated institution capable of preparing Europe’s future space leaders. By integrating technical proficiency, operational experience, legal understanding, and strategic awareness, ESDA equips its participants to navigate the complexities of space security and ensure the resilience of Europe’s space-based assets.
The Academy’s creation comes at a time of heightened geopolitical competition and increasing recognition of space as a critical operational domain. From satellite constellations enabling global communications and navigation, to the emerging challenges posed by orbital congestion and contested environments, Europe faces both unprecedented opportunities and responsibilities in space. ESDA stands at the forefront of this endeavor, fostering a new generation of leaders capable of making informed decisions in a dynamic, multi-domain landscape.
The Yearbook captures the first steps of our journey — documenting the courses, exercises, and milestones that define ESDA’s mission to educate, innovate, and secure Europe’s presence in space. We hope it provides readers with insight into our Academy’s vision and the dedication of its instructors and participants.
If you are interested in our Yearbook do not hesitate to contact us.
Welcome to the European Space Defence Academy, where Europe’s space security and operational excellence are shaped for the future.
Classes in 2026
Space Sititational Awerness
(ID: 2026-01-101)
Space Domain Awerness
(ID: 2026-02-101)
Space Operations
(ID: 2026-02-102)
Operation and Mission Planning
(ID: 2026-02-201)
Electronical Warfare
(ID: 2026-02-103)
Orbital Warfare
(ID: 2026-02-202)
Space Law for Operators
(ID: 2026-02-105)
Space Situational Awareness
This five-day introductory course provided participants with a comprehensive foundation in Space Situational Awareness. The course is delivered by faculty of the Space Surveillance Chair (Cátedra Indra de Vigilancia Espacial) at Universidad de Sevilla. The carefully balanced program of lectures, case studies, data exercises, and simulations ensured that graduates left with:
- Technical literacy in orbital mechanics, sensor systems, and data interpretation.
- Analytical skills to assess threats, risks, and collision scenarios.
- Strategic awareness of SSA’s role in European defence and international cooperation.
- Decision-making experience through simulated crisis exercises.
This course provides military personnel with a rigorous yet accessible foundation in Space Surveillance and Space Situational Awareness (SSA/SST). The goal is to develop operational intuition: understanding what is in orbit, how we track it, what happens when objects come close, and what data products and organisations are involved in the real-world SSA ecosystem. Hands-on understanding is reinforced throughout via worked numerical examples and live demonstrations using GMAT and in-house scripts, integrated into each topic rather than deferred to the end. Scripts and tools used in demonstrations can be made available to participants upon request.
Space Domain Awareness
Over five days, participants developed a comprehensive understanding of Space Domain Awareness as a military-operational concept. The course provided:
- Operational knowledge of the space environment and threat spectrum.
- Analytical skills for fusing technical, intelligence, and contextual data.
- Strategic insight into the role of SDA in NATO and EU defence frameworks.
- Decision-making practice under conditions of uncertainty and time pressure.
The program demonstrated the Academy’s ability to bridge technical literacy with strategic and operational thinking, preparing participants to engage with the challenges of space as a contested and competitive domain.
Space Operations
Provide a practical, operationally focused introduction to the planning, execution and sustainment of space missions from concept through operations and contingency management — with emphasis on military, civil-military and dual-use operational contexts relevant to European defence.
Graduates demonstrate an operationally oriented understanding of how space missions are planned, controlled and sustained. They can:
- Explain the mission life cycle and the operational dependencies between ground and space segments.
- Interpret telemetry and health data to support operational decision-making.
- Conduct basic mission planning and resource allocation for single satellites and simple constellations.
- Apply standard operating procedures for LEOP, commissioning, routine operations and anomaly response.
- Integrate mission assurance, cybersecurity and regulatory considerations into operational decisions.
- Participate effectively in a mission control environment and contribute to coordinated contingency responses.
Operation and Mission Planning
The Operation and Mission Planning course offered by the European Space Defence Academy (ESDA) provides a comprehensive introduction to operational design and mission planning processes in the space and defence domain. The course focuses on structured planning methodologies, decision-making frameworks, and practical mission design approaches, enabling participants to understand and apply operational planning concepts in complex space and security environments.
Key learning areas include:
- Operational design and mission design principles
- COPD framework and CONOPS development
- Mission planning processes and Black Line Plans
- Advanced planning methodologies for space planners with practical exercise
The course is designed for space planners, defence professionals, and analysts who are involved in operational planning and mission preparation. Through a combination of theoretical input and practical exercises, participants develop the skills required to design, plan, and execute space-related missions in structured and operationally relevant scenarios.
Electronical Warfare
The Electronic Warfare course in cooperation with Constanta Maritime University, Romania provides a structured introduction to modern communication systems and their role in electronic warfare and space defence. The course covers the fundamental principles of radio communications, radiofrequency technologies, propagation, air and space communications, and electromagnetic compatibility, enabling participants to understand how communication systems operate, interact, and can be protected or disrupted in complex operational environments. This course will focus on
- Fundamentals of communication systems and radiofrequency spectrum
- Radio equipment, modulation techniques, and software-defined radio
- Radiowave propagation, satellite and drone communications, and space communication systems
- Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and interference management in military and space environments
The course will support the development of competencies needed to analyze, operate, and protect communication systems in modern defence and space scenarios.
Orbital Warfare
The Orbital Warfare course provides a comprehensive introduction to the strategic, technical, and operational aspects of warfare in Earth orbit. The course focuses on the orbital environment, space systems and vulnerabilities, counterspace capabilities, and operational challenges in contested space domains. Through theoretical instruction and a full-day operational exercise, participants develop a structured understanding of orbital warfare concepts and future space defence strategies.
Key learning areas include:
- Orbital environment, space domain awareness, and legal framework
- Space systems, satellite constellations, and vulnerabilities
- Counterspace capabilities and orbital warfare concepts
- Operational exercise and advanced future-oriented space defence concepts
The course enables participants to understand orbital warfare as an operational domain and to analyze space systems, threats, and counterspace capabilities in order to support mission planning and decision-making in contested orbital environments. The course is designed for defence professionals, space planners, analysts, and decision-makers who require a solid understanding of orbital warfare and space security. It enables participants to assess threats to space assets, understand operational implications of counterspace activities, and apply structured thinking in complex orbital conflict scenarios.
Space Law for Operators
The Space Law for Operators course provides a practical and operationally focused introduction to legal frameworks governing space activities. The course bridges the gap between international space law and real-world operational decision-making, enabling participants to understand how legal rules, regulations, and norms directly influence space operations, mission planning, and space security activities. Participants gain insight into legal responsibilities, operational constraints, and compliance requirements relevant to military, governmental, and commercial space operations.
Key learning areas include:
- International space law and legal framework for space operations
- Operational responsibilities and legal constraints for space operators
- Space security, dual-use systems, and legal implications in contested environments
- Liability, registration, spectrum regulation, and rules of engagement in space activities
The course enables participants to apply legal principles to operational scenarios and support legally compliant and responsible decision-making in the space domain. The course enables participants to understand and apply international and national space law in operational contexts, allowing them to assess legal constraints, ensure compliance, and support decision-making in space missions and space security operations.
Study Fees for 2026
In Person Courses
All Courses in 2026 are available at our Facilities in Tallinn, Estonia or at our Partner Institutes across Europe. Fees starts per Person excluding VAT at
1250,- €
Online Courses
All Courses in 2026 are available on our E-Learning Platform as well. Fees starts per Person excluding VAT at
750,- €
Mobile Training Team
Please Contact us via Mail at info@esda.space for a pre-invoce for a Mobile Training Team. Please notice, that fees could be different.
on request
2027
Joint Operations (ID: 2027-03-101)
Decision Making for Leaders (ID: 2027-02-301)
Tabletop Exercise VECTOR ZERO (ID: 2027-01-301)
Space and International Law for Leaders (ID: 2027-02-302)
COPD Planning for Space Planners (ID: 2027-02-302)
2028
Sensors and Data Development (ID: 2028-01-201)
Space Targeting (ID: 2028-02-201)
LiveX Wargame DELTA HORIZON (ID: 2028-04-301)
2030
Postgraduate Masterdegree Programme (ID: 2030-00-001)