Traineeship opportunity: satellite model training sessions development

The functional areas covered include ADCS, power, on-board data handling, system engineering, as well as assembly integration and verification activities. 

Background

The objective of the ESA Education Office is to use space as a theme to enhance the literacy of young people in science and technology, and to motivate young Europeans to pursue a space related career. In support of the educational objectives, and in the frame of the ESA Academy Programme, the Education Office offers:

• a portfolio of training sessions, in all areas of ESA’s expertise, delivered at the ESA Academy Training and Learning Facility
• a number of opportunities for university students to gain hands-on involvement in space-related projects, which include satellite projects, and experiments to be conducted on platforms reproducing special environmental conditions (such as sounding rockets, stratospheric balloons, drop towers, hyper-gravity centrifuges, and parabolic flights).

Information on the activities of the ESA Education Office can be found at http://www.esa.int/education.

Tasks & responsibilities

The trainee will assist the ESA Education Office in the preparation of laboratory sessions making use of ESAT satellite models. The trainee will:

• get acquainted with the satellite model hardware and software, the electrical ground support equipment (EGSE), and the satellite model control system;
• review and develop new laboratory sessions on the various technical functionalities of the satellite model;
• interface with ESA and third party technical experts; 
• support the preparation of the training content and material for the second edition of the ESA Academy CubeSat Hands-on Training Week; 
• support the maintenance of the ESAT models and related equipment.

In addition to their tasks, the trainee will have the chance to attend several training sessions for university students organised in the framework of the Training and Learning Programme.

Requirements

The trainee should:

• be enrolled in an engineering course at university level, 3rd year Bachelor or higher
• have a good background in space engineering
• have knowledge of the space environment and spacecraft subsystems and a good understanding of at least three of the following fields:

- energy/power engineering
- attitude determination and control engineering
- on-board data handling
- space systems engineering

• have basic software knowledge (Arduino, C/C++)
• have good interpersonal and communication skills and be able to work in a multi‐cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team
• have interest and/or experience in education
• be fluent in English and/or French. A good proficiency in English is required.

Previous hands-on experience with small satellites is considered an asset.

Terms and conditions

• full‐time internship 5 days per week;
• €20 daily allowance (€600/month if living more than 50 km from ESEC);
• non-resident allowance will also be granted to students with special needs, irrespective of their residency status.
• duty station is ESA’s European space Security and Education Centre (ESEC) in Belgium;
• duration of the internship is ideally 6 months;
• earliest start date: 1 October 2018 onwards;
• student must be a citizen of an ESA member or cooperating state in order to be eligible.

How to apply

Interested students should send a single email to esa.academy@esa.int, clearly stating 'Internship Application 2018' and their name in the subject line of the email, and attach the following three documents:

1. a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no images), also including availability period;
2. a CV (PDF, maximum 2 pages);
3. a copy of their academic records.

A formal recommendation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no images) from a university professor or academic supervisor is highly welcomed but not obligatory. The ESA Education Office will only consider applications that are complete, so please make sure all three documents are sent and provide your availability.

Deadline for applications

Applications must be received by 2 September 2018.