The Project
- A real technical problem from your field or organisation
- Developed across the full year, with dedicated supervision
- Discussed with international leading experts
- Three checkpoints and a final output others can act on
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30 12 18 Andreia Silva Geospatial Analyst · CoLab +Atlantic Predictive analytics for coastal climate adaptation View project +Atlantic Bruno Silva Head of Research & Development · Muvu Technologies Digital thread for critical assets lifecycle View project MUVU Gonçalo Aguiar Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer · N3O Generic TM/TC converter for the new space sector View project N3O Henrique Santos Space Systems Engineer · CEiiA Modular platforms for next-generation EO satellites View project CEiiA Luís Gomes Space Systems & AIT Engineer · N3O National strategy for space-sector suppliers View project N3O Marco Barbosa Technical Manager, Flight Software · Critical Software OrbitShield — AI-powered cybersecurity for pLEO View project Critical Software Miguel Fernandes Space Systems Engineer · CEiiA Small-satellite launcher for rapid response View project CEiiA
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Master of Business Engineering · Instituto Superior Técnico
MBE in Space Systems
One year. One real project.
A groundbreaking, 12-month, project-driven MBE in Space Systems. Spend the year on one real technical problem — from your field or your organisation — challenged by international leading experts.
For engineers, analysts and technical leaders upskilling — or reskilling — into the space economy.
01 · The programme
Learn in context. Build something real.
One real project, a focused technical core, and immersive weeks at IST — you learn in context and build something others can use.
Immersive Integration
- Three intensive weeks at IST
- Workshops, expert sessions & project reviews
- Industry and institutional visits
- Peer challenge and systems integration
Technical Core
- Synchronous online lectures
- Satellite Systems Engineering ×
Satellite subsystems, platform integration, GNSS and communication principles.
- 6 ECTS
- 40 hours
- Synchronous online lectures
Coordination at IST: João Paulo Monteiro, Carlos Fernandes, António Rodrigues, José Sanguino.
João Paulo MonteiroCoordination at IST Carlos FernandesCoordination at IST António RodriguesCoordination at IST José SanguinoCoordination at IST - Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence ×
Remote sensing, telecommunications, hyperspectral imaging, machine learning algorithms and decision-support systems.
- 6 ECTS
- 40 hours
- Synchronous online lectures
Coordination at IST: Ana Paula Falcão, Vasco Miranda, Rodrigo Ventura.
Ana Paula FalcãoCoordination at IST Vasco MirandaCoordination at IST Rodrigo VenturaCoordination at IST - Astrodynamics & Space Physics ×
Orbital mechanics, mission design, space-environmental effects and radiation physics.
- 6 ECTS
- 40 hours
- Synchronous online lectures
Coordination at IST: Paulo Gil, Patrícia Gonçalves.
Paulo GilCoordination at IST Patrícia GonçalvesCoordination at IST
02 · Edition 1 projects
One year, one real project — across the full space value chain.
Every project is developed with dedicated supervision, challenged by international leading experts, and embedded in a real organisation. Edition 1 (2025/26) was anchored by the Atlantic Constellation but reached well beyond it, spanning the value chain from upstream space systems (launch, avionics, satellite platforms, product assurance) to downstream data, analytics and the applications that create value across climate, industry, defence, security and public policy.
The seven projects below show that range in practice — each one carried by a participant and built inside a real organisation across space, defence and security. Open any card to read the full project.
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Predictive Analytics from Space to Support Climate Adaptation in Coastal Ecosystems
Earth observationRemote sensingClimate adaptationPhysical geographer (University of Lisbon) specialised in coastal and environmental risk, with research experience in coastal dynamics, saltmarsh ecosystems and climate-change impacts — plus field experience in civil protection.
Her project quantifies saltmarsh extent in the Tagus estuary, distinguishes low and high marsh zones and projects their evolution in the Tagus and Sado estuaries under sea-level-rise scenarios to the end of the century — combining Earth observation with a marsh-response model that captures frontal erosion.
Output Saltmarsh resilience index, long-term projections and carbon-sequestration indicators.
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Digital Thread for Critical Assets Lifecycle
Product assuranceTraceabilityIndustry 4.0Electrical and computer engineer with a PhD in AI for production processes and 8+ years across academia and industry in AI, robotics and Industry 4.0. Young Engineer Award, Order of Engineers (2024).
His project builds a digital logbook with full audit-trail capability for space-grade product assurance — systematic registration, traceability and verification of every action across the development and production chain, shaped by real satellite-integration requirements gathered with N3O.
Output Functional digital-logbook prototype, prepared for validation in cleanroom facilities.
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Generic Telemetry and Telecommand (TM/TC) Converter for the New Space Sector
Satellite avionicsTM/TCNew SpaceResponsible for avionics and power subsystems of Earth-observation satellites at N3O. Previously at ClearSpace UK (debris-removal missions), OHB and Thales Alenia Space. MSc from IST with distinction.
His project defines a multi-protocol TM/TC interface module that keeps compatibility with commercial off-the-shelf hardware — the interoperability layer satellite manufacturers need when they are not fully vertically integrated — including a complete design, development and verification plan.
Output Product development plan, cost estimate and CAN/RS485 breadboard hardware.
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Development Framework for Modular Platform Architectures in Next-Generation EO Satellites
Platform architectureVHR Earth observationMechanical engineer (FEUP) and Mechanical Architect for the Atlantic Constellation’s very-high-resolution satellites at CEiiA. Previously led ESA-funded lightweight-structures projects; contributor to ESA’s Zero Debris initiative.
His project develops a structured framework for multi-mission payload capability on a common, modular satellite platform — a scalable methodology to define and evolve a platform product line under market, technical and regulatory constraints.
Output Platform development framework — precursor to a Phase 0/A activity.
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National Strategy for Supplier Development in the Portuguese Space Sector
Satellite AITIndustrial strategyPolicyMechanical engineer (ISEP) specialised in assembly, integration and testing. Manages production flows, cleanroom integration and functional testing for VHR satellites; contributed to MH-1, the first Portuguese satellite.
His project maps the entry barriers facing Portuguese firms in the space sector — regulation, lead times, flight heritage, geopolitics — from a satellite integrator’s perspective, and translates them into actionable recommendations for public policy.
Output Policy-oriented national supplier-development strategy.
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Project OrbitShield — AI-Powered Cybersecurity for pLEO Systems
Artificial intelligenceCybersecuritypLEO constellationsComputer scientist and systems engineer leading flight-software development and mission-critical protocol validation (PUS, CFDP) at Critical Software. Co-founded Turflynx — the first fully autonomous industrial mower — later acquired by The Toro Company.
His project explores AI-based threat detection and mitigation for proliferated low-Earth-orbit constellations, whose scale and complexity dramatically expand the attack surface — building on The Aerospace Corporation’s SPARTA threat catalogue.
Output AI-based approach to detecting malicious activity in distributed pLEO architectures.
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Preliminary Design of a Small-Satellite Launch Vehicle for Rapid-Response Military/SAR Applications
Launch systemsMission designRapid responseEngineer specialised in aerospace systems, launchers and recovery systems, with experience in design, sizing and integration of advanced engineering solutions in Portugal’s growing space sector.
His project designs a small, expendable launch vehicle placing payloads of up to 20 kg into 550 km Sun-synchronous orbit — transportable in standard ISO containers, using storable non-toxic propellants, with a self-deorbiting final stage and rapid, on-demand launch capability.
Output Preliminary three-stage vehicle design with trajectory-propagation model.
Edition 2 · Your project
This grid has a free slot.
Bring a problem worth solving — yours, or your organisation’s. Scope, confidentiality and supervision agreed before work begins.
Start the conversation 03 · The experts
Your assumptions, tested by the people who set the standard.
Every project is challenged by international leading experts — from MIT, CMU and UT Austin to ESA, EUSPA and the Portuguese Space Agency. Their job is to test whether your work survives contact with reality.
Programme coordination
Rodrigo Ventura Academic Director Instituto Superior Técnico
João Campos Executive Director Técnico+ Formação Avançada
Manuel Heitor Scientific Council Chairman Instituto Superior Técnico
Ana Noronha Assistant Director Instituto Superior Técnico
Scientific Council
Manuel Heitor IST - Full Professor Scientific Council
Zita Martins IST - Associate Professor Scientific Council
Afzal Suleman IST - Associate Professor Scientific Council
José Alberto Santos Vitor IST - Full Professor Scientific Council
Joana Mendonça IST - Full Professor Scientific Council
Rodrigo Ventura IST - Associate Professor Scientific Council
Fernando Lau IST - Associated Professor Scientific Council
Invited Speakers of the Programme
Dava Newman MIT
Zac Manchester CMU
Brandon Jones UT Austin
Chiara Manfletti TU Munich · Neuraspace
Rodrigo da Costa EUSPA
Bruno Sousa ESA
Catarina Oliveira ESA
Nuno Carvalho ESA
Hugo Costa Portuguese Space Agency
Jean-Jacques Dordain Former ESA Director General
Su-Yin Tan University of Waterloo
Evana Gizzi MIT
Jordi Laguarda ICEYE
Dianne Gomes BCG
Magda Cocco VdA
Pedro Russo Leiden University · Ciência Viva
Henrique Candeias CEiiA / N3O
Afonso Amaral CMU
Mário Lino da Silva IST
Neta Vizel People & Growth
And many more across the space ecosystem
Built with academia, industry and institutions
Academic
IST faculty anchor the technical core and supervision, with international collaboration through the MIT-Portugal, Carnegie Mellon Portugal and UT Austin Portugal programmes.
Industry
Sponsors — CEiiA, N3O, CoLab +Atlantic and MUVU — define real challenges and validate outcomes, alongside space alliances with ICEYE and Neuraspace.
Institutional
The European Space Agency, EUSPA and the Portuguese Space Agency bring mission design, data and European space-policy expertise into the programme.
Operational
The Portuguese Air Force and its Aerospace Centre for Innovation and Technology connect projects to defence, security and rapid-response missions.
04 · Practical details
Practical answers for working professionals.
The programme is designed primarily for candidates with backgrounds in engineering, exact sciences, natural sciences and related technical areas. Candidates from management, economics, policy, law or other fields may also be considered where their experience and proposed project demonstrate sufficient preparation.
The delivery model is designed to accommodate working professionals, but the MBE is a substantial year-long academic and project commitment. Candidates should assess their availability carefully, particularly during immersive weeks, project checkpoints and final delivery.
Yes. Organisations may nominate a participant around a live challenge, provided the project offers sufficient technical depth, real-world relevance and learning value. Project scope, confidentiality and supervision arrangements are agreed before development begins.
Participants who successfully complete the programme receive a Técnico+ Formação Avançada certificate corresponding to 60 ECTS.
Applications · Edition 2 · 2026/27
Bring a problem worth solving.
Applications are assessed on profile, motivation and the quality of the challenge you want to pursue. A strong application does not need every answer — it needs a serious question and the capacity to work across disciplines.
Applications close 11 September 2026 Individuals Register your interest Receive the admissions calendar and application requirements when released. Register Organisations Sponsor a participant or project Bring a live challenge. Scope, confidentiality and supervision are agreed before work begins. Start the conversation Unsure about fit? Ask the programme team A short exchange on profile, project idea and timing — before you commit to applying. Write to us
Download the programme overview (PDF)Edition 1 · Participant project