Space Systems Engineering Training Course - Apply now
To help prepare the next generation of Space Systems Engineers, the ESA Education Office is looking for 30 highly motivated and enthusiastic university students to participate in the Space Systems Engineering Training Course 2024, to be held from 21 to 24 May 2024 in the ESA Academy’s Training and Learning Facility (TLF) at ESA’s ESEC-Galaxia, Belgium.
Space Systems Engineering holds immense significance within the space industry, playing a pivotal role in the success of any space mission, be it a student-crafted CubeSat or a commercial communications satellite. Space Systems Engineers take charge of space projects, guiding them from inception to completion. They collaborate with diverse fields to define user needs, establish requirements, and craft the ultimate design. Additionally, they oversee the project through assembly, integration, testing, and eventual operation. These engineers, whether working at ESA or in industry, remain fundamental throughout the entire life cycle of space systems. They ensure alignment with requirements, manage interfaces between various project disciplines, and play a critical role in delivering what is needed.
Over the span of four days, students in attendance will gain insight into the foundations and hurdles of Space Systems Engineering. They will explore the responsibilities of Systems Engineers at ESA and delve deeply into the System Engineering process. The course aims to provide valuable understanding of Concurrent Design, system-based Verification and Validation, and their correlations with project management aspects such as planning and risk management. Additionally, participants will engage in several group exercises designed to familiarize them with system engineering deliverables and practical challenges encountered by space systems engineers in real-world scenarios.
This iteration of the training course continues the success of previous editions. These courses were crafted and conducted by the ESA Education Office in partnership with ESA staff actively engaged as Systems Engineers across a spectrum of prominent ESA missions.
Preliminary schedule
| Day 1 |
Scope and Context of Systems Engineering How to represent a System The Space Programmatic Environment Tasks of a Systems Engineer |
| Day 2 |
Systems Engineering Process System Requirements Design of a Space Mission: Concurrent Engineering |
| Day 3 |
Design of a Space Mission: Budgets, Margins, Timeline and Modes Development and Verification Approach Project, Engineering and Quality Management: Theory and Exercises |
| Day 4 |
Project, Engineering and Quality Management: Methods and Tools Schedule and Cost Control Application of a real space project Risk Management Launch, Commissioning and Operations |
Who can apply?
In order to participate, students must fulfil the following eligibility criteria at the time of application:
- aged minimum 18 years old;
- be a citizen of an ESA Member States, Canada*, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia or Slovenia;
- be enrolled as a full-time Bachelor (at least 3rd year), Master, or PhD student in a university for the academic 2023-24 (not graduating before the training course);
- have a solid mathematical and physics background;
- be studying for an engineering degree.
Exceptions may be made for students enrolled in a scientific degree with a minimum level of engineering and mathematical knowledge, and a clear interest in space engineering related activities.
The selected students will be sponsored by ESA up to 300 Euros for travelling to Belgium and all accommodation and meals will be provided free of charge.
*Canadian students enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution may apply for additional support from the Canadian Space Agency through this Announcement of Opportunity (grant applications should be submitted at least 7 weeks before the course delivery and account creation 3 weeks before the submission deadline – create an account soon!). This additional support is to cover costs that are not already covered by ESA for selected Canadian post-secondary students.
How to apply
- Fill in the application form;
- Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no images);
- Upload a CV (PDF, in Europass format, maximum 2 pages);
- Upload a formal recommendation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, including signature, no images) from a university professor or academic supervisor of current university (if it is not possible to receive the recommendation letter from your referee, please ask them to send a recommendation email to tlp@esa.int before the application deadline);
- Upload a copy of academic records (PDF).
All answers and documents should be in English (except academic records if not available).
The deadline for applications is 4 March 2024.
For more information, please contact tlp@esa.int.