Gold Space Course

Cadets Ask the Staff
1

Hi! I’ve just recently passed my silver space course. I was told it was meant to be a 2-day course however we completed it in 1 day. I was wondering how long is gold space and is it similar to silver?

I was also briefly informed about silver space being a BTEC equivalent and was wondering how I could get that?

2

The Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) Gold Space Award represents the highest tier of the Progressive Training Syllabus (PTS) space curriculum.

Earning this advanced award requires completing rigorous prerequisites, mastering advanced scientific material, and obtaining instructor capabilities.

  1. Prerequisites for the Course

To qualify for the Gold Space syllabus, cadets must meet strict eligibility benchmarks:

  • Age: Must be at least 16 years old.
  • Prior Space Training: Must have progressively achieved the Blue, Bronze, and Silver Space Awards.
  • Instructional Qualification: Must have successfully completed the Method of Instruction (MoI) Course, as the Gold tier serves as an instructor qualification.
  1. Delivery & Core Curriculum

Unlike lower tiers that can be studied locally at a home squadron, the Gold Space curriculum is delivered via regional or wing-level residential pilot courses. The complete RAFAC space curriculum contributes toward a broader Pearson Level 2 Certificate in Space Studies (a GCSE equivalent).

While lower tiers cover fundamentals like the Solar System and basic satellite technology, the Gold tier focus includes:

  • Advanced rocketry, complex orbital mechanics, and future space exploration technologies.
  • Practical application of space tracking or simulation tools.
  • Instructor Training: Mastering the specific skills needed to teach the basic space syllabus back to peers.
  1. Instructional Outcomes

The primary purpose of the Gold Award is to turn senior cadets into specialized instructors. Earning the award authorises you to teach and deliver the Blue and Bronze Space syllabuses to younger or less experienced cadets within your squadron and wing.

The RAFAC Gold Space Course is a week-long residential training event, typically running for 5 to 7 days.

Because it is delivered at a regional or wing level rather than at local squadrons, the format is structured to fit into intensive cadet training blocks:

  • Standalone Courses: Often structured over 5 days (for example, running Monday to Friday, such as August 24th–28th).
  • Regional Activity Camps: When integrated into larger regional summer camps (like Camp Viking), it spans a full week (7–8 days) as a dedicated activity stream.

The days are highly condensed and fast-paced, packed with advanced theoretical instruction, presentation assessments, and practical exercises designed to quickly qualify you as a Cadet Space Instructor.

Just a quick google gave me this, if this is wrong, delete the post :saluting_face:

1 Like
3

The only bit I’d question is:

As far as I’m aware, there is no new space syllabus content in the gold course, with the focus being on how to instruct the blue, bronze, and silver content.

4

Agreed, from what I have bee told, all gold courses will Train the Trainer Courses with MOI being a prerequisite and cadets learning to deliver the blue and bronze at sqn and sector level. Also cadets are going to have to choose from the core offer on which BTEC at silver level they are going to specialise in. Only funding for one silver BTEC at this time.

5

Since when has there been talks of any BTECs other than space and aerospace? This is the first I’m hearing of them, so that means it’ll be at least a decade before any of them are actually available to cadets :rofl:

6

I thought there has always been other BTECs, and it’s just that the aviation one was paused and introduction of the space one has stalled since the announcement?

7

suprised you did silver in 1 day the only way for cadets to do it up here is 1week camp

8

Inline with the new corps training offer, all core PTS/syllabus subjects will have a formal qualification attached to it. Air, space, cyber and leadership