Image Credits: SPL
Space Park Leicester is set to launch an ambitious new professional development programme designed to demystify the realities of modern space missions and prepare professionals for active participation in the rapidly expanding space sector.
Launching in March, The Executive Guide to Space forms part of Space Park Leicester’s wider CPD Space Missions programme, an initiative that brings together academic excellence, industry expertise, and hands-on learning within a state-of-the-art space innovation environment.
From Concept to Orbit: Understanding the Full Space Mission Lifecycle
The programme offers participants a structured, end-to-end understanding of how space missions are conceived, designed, built, launched, and operated. Delivered by experts from the University of Leicester—whose teams collectively bring over sixty years of experience in space mission leadership—the course bridges the gap between high-level strategy and technical execution.
Participants will explore:
- The origins and applications of space missions
- The scientific and engineering foundations of spaceflight
- Systems engineering and spacecraft operations
- National and international drivers shaping the space economy
- Policy, commercial, and organisational considerations in space activities
This holistic approach reflects the real-world complexity of space missions, where technical innovation must align with regulatory frameworks, international collaboration, and commercial viability.
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Designed for Technical and Non-Technical Professionals Alike
A key strength of the Executive Guide to Space is its accessibility. With no formal entry requirements, the programme is tailored for both technical specialists and non-technical professionals who need to understand how space missions work in practice.
The course is particularly relevant for:
- Project managers, systems engineers, and analysts
- CEOs, senior leaders, and procurement specialists
- Policy advisers, legal and financial teams
- Marketers, technology transfer professionals, and science communicators
- Organisations planning to enter or expand within the space sector
As Space Park Leicester Skills Development Lead Josh Barker explains, the programme is designed to support both individuals and organisations navigating the challenges of entering the space industry or upskilling for hard-to-recruit roles such as spacecraft operations and systems engineering.
Learning from a Legacy of World-Class Missions
The University of Leicester’s space heritage underpins the programme’s credibility. Its teams have contributed to over 100 space missions in collaboration with leading international partners including NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and JAXA. Notable missions include the James Webb Space Telescope, JUICE, BepiColombo, and numerous Earth observation missions.
This experience ensures that learning is grounded not just in theory, but in real mission data, operational lessons, and proven best practices from some of the most significant space projects of recent decades.
A Strategic Investment in Space Skills
Delivered at Space Park Leicester’s cutting-edge facilities, the Executive Guide to Space reflects the broader vision of the CPD Space Missions programme: to strengthen the UK’s space workforce by providing flexible, high-impact training aligned with industry needs.
The programme will run from Tuesday 24 March to Thursday 26 March, with an early bird discount available until the end of February, making it an attractive opportunity for professionals seeking rapid, high-level exposure to the space mission environment.
As the space sector continues to grow across science, defence, climate monitoring, and commercial services, initiatives like this play a vital role in ensuring that talent, leadership, and understanding keep pace with ambition.
For SpaceInfo Club members and space enthusiasts alike, the Executive Guide to Space offers a rare opportunity to step inside the realities of mission development—and to understand what it truly takes to operate beyond Earth. 🚀
I’m really interested in being part of this program. Space exploration is something I feel deeply connected to it’s not just a curiosity for me, it’s something I feel in my core I’m meant to be part of. I’m someone who learns quickly, works well in a team, and stays grounded even in high‑pressure environments. I bring curiosity, discipline, and a genuine passion for pushing human potential forward. I would love the opportunity to grow within this program and contribute everything I can to future space missions
Thank you so much Anissa!