Advanced Master® "Defense and Security in Space"

For several years, space has undergone a particularly significant development, whether in the context of everyday applications (telecommunications, navigation & positioning, banking transfers, Earth observation, ...) or in military operations. This strong growth does not come without questions related to security.

The French Air and Space Force Academy in partnership with the Space Command (CDE), the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), the National Space Study Center, and the National Research Office offers an Advanced Master ® in Defense and Security in Space (AM® DefSiS). This high-level dual civilian and military program will enable graduates to demonstrate their expertise in the field of space and security.

Open to students or professionals with an MBA degree in engineering, science, management, law, international relations, security studies or political science, this training program, in English, represents a total volume of 450 hours divided into seven modules covering a wide range of subjects (space mechanics, civil and military applications, geopolitics, law, crisis management, etc.). The training ends with a 4-to-6-month internship in a company.

Backed by renowned organizations, industries, and start-ups, it relies on the expertise of many professionals and on a dynamic program combining theoretical contributions, active pedagogy, serious gaming, simulation, projects, and visits.

Join this unique defense and security in space program in Europe within the prestigious French Air and Space Force Academy.

Application file 2024-2025 to be submitted before April 15th 2024 for the April admission session, May 13th for the May admission session, June 17th for the June admission session.

COST OF TRAINING - SCHOLARSHIP

APPLICATION FILE - CPR

Dates of application for the master's degree ?

You can now go to the website of the Ecole de l'air et de l'espace to download the application file

Where can I submit my registration file ?

Once the file is completed, return it to admission-ms@ecole-air.fr You will receive an acknowledgment of receipt. If the file is incomplete or requiring clarification you will be contacted via this address

Until when can I submit my registration file ?

As soon as possible. There will have 3 dates of end’s session to submit your file.

I can't open the CPR file, what should I do?

If you encounter a problem opening it, try saving it as PDF or right click open with PDF. In case of difficulties contact the manager of the AM® at 04 13 93 80 00 ext. 28 541

Are my Master 1 diploma and my certificate of enrolment in Master 2 sufficient at first to send you my registration file, it being understood that it will only be complete when I will be able to provide you with my certificate of successful completion of Master 2?

Your proof of registration in M2 is sufficient for your file and you can present yourself from the first recruitment session if you wish. If you are selected by the jury you can start the AM DefSiS program in September 2023 before your M2 graduation at the end of 2023, which allows a real continuity of studies between the M2 and the AM

Level in English ?

Since the course is fully taught in English the required minimum linguistic level1 is B2 (European referencing system) upon presentation of a minimum score for one of the following exams: TOEFL (paper-based): 567, TOEFL (IBT) 87, TOEIC: 785, PLS 3333 (Standardized linguistic profile).

The following candidates are exempted from English tests:

English speaking natives
the candidates who do not speak French and who had been studying or working for at least two years in an English speaking university or country.

Proof of level in English valid at the time of submission of this application (If a valid proof of level in English is not submitted, or if an obsolete proof of level in English is submitted, the successful candidate will be required to provide a valid proof of level in English during the course of their studies and no later than the day of their professional thesis defence, otherwise graduation will not take place. Otherwise, graduation will not be possible).

Regarding the letter of recommendation, it can be written by any teacher or does it have to come from the person in charge of the training?

There is nothing imposed on the profile of the author of the letter of recommendation, this person just needs to be recognized in his field and know you well enough to appreciate and recommend your skills, know-how and interpersonal skills.

Do you have any examples to provide me of companies that have funded this program?

Founding members: EAE, Space Command, CNES, ONERA. Partners: CS Group, Telespazio, SopraSteria, Thalès Alenia Space, Airbus Defense and Space, MBDA, ESA, ISAE Group, Dassault Aviation, ESSP, ArianeGroup

Regarding the prerequisites, is a general engineering degree in engineering school enough

Any engineering degree or equivalent to the grade of Master 2 (sciences, economics, management, political science, etc.) is admissible to pass to the admission jury

ACADEMIC

What courses are offered?

On the website of the Space School, the AM DefSiS brochure will bring you the details of this training.

Possibility to follow this course in distance learning ?

For the 2024-2025 session, classes will be face-to-face on the site of the 701 Salon de Provence Air Base.

Are the teachers all French?

Most of the teachers are French, but ESA could call on international trainers.

Can the internship be done in a company other than in the private sector (public or international)?

Your internship can be done in the private or public sector related to the space field.

Do all students follow the same curriculum?

Yes, all students will follow the same program to obtain the AM degree.

Will there be an engineering refresher for candidates from a non-technical background?

The 1st unit (module) will be dedicated to this refreshment/upgrade.

What is the "Project" module?

The unit called Project is a project led by (at least) 2 students during the academic semester, involving a research paper and a presentation.

Will Unit 6 be limited to cybersecurity within the space segment or will the ground segment, the link segment and the user segment be addressed?

These conferences and trainings will focus on cyber threats and hygiene, network and application security, cyber risk management, cyber laws, attack and defense practices, software security, cybersecurity audits...

Could you describe in more detail the content of Unit 6 "Security of space systems", including the sub-theme "Cybersecurity of space systems"?

These conferences and trainings will focus on cyber threats and hygiene, network and application security, cyber risk management, cyber laws, attack and defense practices, software security, cyber audits...

Could your program be useful in preparing cybersecurity certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CompTIA A+, etc.)?

The AM program could give a strong specificity to your cybersecurity skills and therefore contribute to your preparation for cyber professional certifications

Is this Advanced Master's degree available as a double curriculum or as a "work-study program" (work-linked training system) ?

The programme will be full-time with no alternating. ESTACA students can take part in a double degree course thanks to our agreement with this institution.

When can the search for the company's mission begin?

You can start your mission search at the opening of the semester

Is the subject of the assignment already established or flexible?

Flexible locations and topics

Is the scope of this programme limited to France and Europe? Are American organizations such as USSF or ISAC Espace part of the facilities that students will visit?

Only France/Europe structures will be visited during the semester, but you can carry out your professional assignment in an American company/institution.

Will the classes take place at the École de l'air et de l'espace in Salon-de-Provence or in another place?