OVERVIEW
Evidence—not optimism—defines flight readiness. Many space programs struggle not because testing is absent, but because verification is poorly planned, weakly connected to requirements, or executed too late to reduce risk. SSVV equips you to design and execute a verification and validation (V&V) program that produces credible evidence that a system will perform as intended—before it ever flies.

This course focuses on the decisions that shape effective V&V across the system lifecycle. You will learn how early validation of requirements and models reduces downstream risk, and how verification planning choices drive test complexity, cost, schedule, and residual risk. Emphasis is placed on building a coherent, defensible link between requirements, verification methods, test events, and acceptance criteria.

A central feature of the course is learning by doing through an extensive series of hands-on exercises using a desktop cubeSat system with realistic hardware and software functionality. You’ll use this system to implement an end-to-end Assembly, Integration, and Verification (AIV) plan. This experience empowers you to connect design requirements to verification events and procedures. You’ll learn first-hand how gaps in traceability or rigor undermine confidence, and how disciplined V&V restores it. Application of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is highlighted where it can improve clarity, consistency, traceability, and program insight.

WHO IS THIS FOR?
Are your verification activities disconnected from requirements? Are tests planned too late to reduce risk? SSVV is designed for engineers, project managers, principal investigators, and technicians responsible for organizing and executing verification and validation activities to demonstrate flight readiness with credible evidence.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Explain the end-to-end SE process and how it applies to system (and lower level) requirements definition, allocation, validation and verification.
• Describe the purpose and scope of key documents required in the validation and verification processes, and describe typical errors committed.
• Describe various methods of V&V, when they are appropriate, and how they are used as part of a verification plan for a system of interest
• Determine appropriate circumstances and applicability of verification methods to prototype and proto-flight systems.
• Analyze representative verification plans, test sequences and activities for an example system of interest (spacecraft).
• Develop, evaluate and implement a master verification plan for a space system including hardware, software and associated ground support equipment (GSE).
• Apply processes and techniques in a hands-on workshop associated with a system of interest.
• Use applicable NASA, ECSS, DoD and Industry Standards and lessons learned to support system V&V decisions and activities.

COURSE FEES (Sign-In To Register)
- AIAA Member Price: $995 USD
- AIAA Student Member Price: $495 USD

- Non-Member Price: $1,195 USD

Course Series:
In Fall 2026, AIAA and TSTI are offering a series of courses focused on Space Systems Engineering. While courses are completely self-contained and can be taken on their own, those students wishing to deepen their knowledge may be interested in additional course study:

• Space Systems Verification and Validation – Online Short Course (28 Sept–1 Oct 2026)
  
• Mission Design Workshop: A Hands-on Concurrent Space Systems Engineering Workshop (26–29 October 2026)
• Applied Model-Based Systems Engineering – Online Short Course (16–19 November 2026)

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COURSE TOPICS

• Intro to Space Systems Engineering
• The NanoMET-2 System of Interest
• Validating Requirements & Models
• Preparing for Product Verification 1
• Verification for the Launch & Space Environment
• Environmental Test Venues
• Preparing for Product Verification 2
• Implementing Product Verification
• Software Verification & Validation
• V&V of COTS
• Validating Products and Flight Certification
• Integrated hands-on exercises throughout
  
  

INSTRUCTOR

The course will be instructed by an aerospace systems expert from Teaching Science and Technology Inc. (TSTI).

Dr. Jerry Jon Sellers, is the author of Understanding Space: An Introduction to Astronautics, and is a contributing author and editor of Applied Space Systems Engineering, author of the new chapter in ASSE on Applied Model-based Systems Engineering, as well as a contributing author of Human Spaceflight Analysis and Design. He has over 30 years of space systems experience including Guidance & On-board Navigation Officer in Space Shuttle Mission Control; Assistant Professor of Astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy; and Chief of Astronautics for the Air Force European Office of Aerospace Research & Development. He is an Associate Fellow at AIAA and the former Chairman of the AIAA Space Systems Technical Committee. He is an elected member of the International Academy of Astronautics and is a Certified Scaled-Agile Program Consultant. He is also an adjunct professor at Stevens Institute of Technology and certified Scaled-Agile Framework (SAFe) Program Consultant (SPC5). Jerry is an elected member of the International Academy of Astronautics.

Course Delivery and Materials

• The course lectures will be delivered via a Zoom virtual classroom.
• Classes will not be recorded so live attendance is necessary.
• You can test your connection here: https://zoom.us/test
• Connection information will be provided to registrants near the course start date.
• Each registrant will receive:
• Course Notes: A complete set of course notes with copies of all slides used in the presentations.
• An e-copy of the course text Applied Space Systems Engineering.
• No part of these materials may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted, unless for course participants. All rights reserved.
• Courseware: Innoslate cloud-based tool (free trial license). Internet access required.

Classroom Hours: 20 classroom hours / 2.0 CEU/PDH

Cancellation Policy: A refund less a $50.00 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations made in writing prior to 14 days before the start of the event. After that time, no refunds will be provided.

Contact: Please contact Lisa Le or Customer Service if you have any questions about the course or group discounts for 5 or more participants.

Frequently Asked Questions