Applications now open for ESA Academy’s “Standardisation Training Course”
When working on a cutting-edge space mission there is enough to invent and develop without ‘reinventing the wheel’. This is why ESA is part of the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS).
ESA’s Education office, in collaboration with ESA’s Requirements, Standards and Engineering Knowledge Office, are now inviting applications from university students for this training course. This essential part of European space agencies’ and industries’ work is something students don’t usually learn at university, and is something they will definitely need in their future space-related careers.
Between 6 and 9 June 2017, the ESA Academy’s Training and Learning Centre in ESA’s Redu Centre, Belgium, will welcome the successful applicants. During these four days, they will be given an introduction to ECSS and will learn from several ESA experts the importance of using standards and the impact they have on the way space activities are implemented. They will also be provided with an overview of how and why standards are used in different disciplines at ESA.
The ECSS established a coherent, single set of user-friendly standards for all European space activities. This goal is achieved by applying common standards for project management, for the development and testing of hardware and software, and for product and quality assurance .
It aims to minimise technical risk and cost for space systems and space products development, while ensuring the compatibility of all elements of a space project. It is therefore essential to everything that ESA does.
The course is aimed at students of Master and PhD levels in engineering or physics interested in working in the space sector.
The topics which will be covered during the training course are:
Day 1: Introduction to ECSS System
• Management
• Mechanisms
Day 2: PA&QA
• System Engineering
• Control Engineering
Day 3: Thermal
• Structural
• Ground System and Operations
Day 4: Electrical & Electronics
• Telecommunication
In addition, students will get the opportunity to visit ESA’s Redu Centre including the PROBA operation room.
At the end of the course the students will be evaluated via a multiple choice questionnaire prepared by the experts and will receive a certificate of participation that will allow them to claim an ECTS credit to their respective universities for their participation.
More information
Who can apply?
University students who fulfill the following criteria at the time of the application may be eligible:
- be aged between 18 and 32;
- be a citizen of an ESA Member or Associate State*;
- be enrolled as a full-time MSc or PhD student in a university (not graduating before the training course);
- be studying engineering or physics.
The deadline for application is: 18 April 2017
The selected students will be sponsored by ESA. The sponsorship will cover accommodation and meals as well as up to 200 euros for travelling to Redu, Belgium.
How to apply
- Fill in the application
- Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no images);
- Upload a CV (PDF, maximum 2 pages);
- Upload a formal recommendation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, including signature no images) from a university professor or an academic supervisor;
- Upload an official copy of academic records (PDF, possibly with the University stamp).
For more information, please contact esa.academy @ esa.int
