Enrol in the 2024 ESA Academy’s Space Standards Training Course

Over the course of five days, participants will receive a comprehensive introduction to the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS). Renowned experts from the European Space Agency (ESA) will enlighten participants on the pivotal role of standards in shaping and influencing the execution of space activities. The curriculum will delve into the significance of adhering to standards across various disciplines within ESA while developing space technologies.

The ECSS stands as a unifying force, furnishing a streamlined and accessible set of standards applicable to all European space endeavours. This achievement is realized through the consistent application of standards in project management, space hardware and software development and testing, as well as product and quality assurance. The collaborative process of developing standards and updates involves all stakeholders, including agencies and industry players. Business contracts between ESA and spacecraft manufacturers incorporate specific subsets of these standards through ECSS management standards. Quality and Product assurance standards ensure quality level of an engineering design & processes of a payload or spacecraft sent to space.

The utilization of standards in a space project serves a dual purpose: to minimize technical risks and costs associated with space systems and product development, and to guarantee the seamless compatibility of all components within a space project. Consequently, the integration of standards is indispensable to every facet of ESA's activities.

Throughout this week-long educational programme, students will be mentored by experts in the field of space standards. Standardization is often overlooked in traditional university education, yet it proves to be an indispensable asset for future careers in the space domain. Participants will gain insights and knowledge that are paramount for navigating the complexities of the space industry and ensuring success in their future endeavours.

Preliminary schedule

Students will be introduced to the following topics: 

Day 1	- Introduction to Space Engineering and Standardisation - System Engineering - ECSS System - Product Assurance and Quality Assessment
Day 2	- Management - Structures - Mechanisms - Standardisation to Accomplish Mission to Mars I
Day 3	- Thermal Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Control Engineering - Standardisation to Accomplish Mission to Mars II
Day 4	- Communications Protocols - Software Engineering - Software Product Assurance - Standardisation to Accomplish Mission to Mars III
Day 5	- Ground Systems and Operations - Lunar Gateway and Application of Standards (NASA, ESA and JAXA) - Advanced and Smart Manufacturing & 3D Printing

As part of the course, the students will be guided to participate in exercises and to this end, will be expected to undertake an assessment test.

Who can apply?

To participate, students must fulfil the following eligibility criteria at the time of application: 

• Enrolled as a university student for the year 2023-2024 in a Bachelor (i.e., BSc or equivalent), Master (i.e., MSc or equivalent), or a Doctoral (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) degree programme with a background in engineering, science, or business.
• Aged minimum 18 years old.  ESA Academy and relevant partners will only appraise applications from students who have no or limited professional experience in relevant scientific or other space-related topics.
• Citizen of an ESA Member State, an ESA Associate Member (Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia or Slovenia) or Canada*.

Attendance to the entire 5-day training course on-site at ESEC is mandatory. Accommodation, meals, as well as up to 300 EUR for travelling to Belgium will be covered by ESA Education.

To enhance the learning experience, students will actively engage in exercises throughout the week to apply their newly acquired knowledge. Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded a certificate of participation and a course transcript, enabling them to request ECTS credit(s) from their respective universities.

How to apply?

• Fill in the application form.
• Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no images).
• Upload a CV (Europass format, PDF, no images, maximum 2 pages).
• Upload a formal recommendation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, including signature, no images) from a university professor or an academic supervisor from your current university (if not possible to receive the recommendation letter from your reference, please ask them to send a recommendation email to tlp@esa.int before the application deadline).
• Upload a copy of your Transcript of Grades from the two previous semesters, or, if not available, the previous academic year (PDF).

All answers and documents should be in English (except Transcript of Grades if not available). The deadline for applications to participate in the Introduction to Space Standards Training Course 2024 is 10 April 2024, 23:59 CET.

*Canadian students enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution may apply for additional support from the Canadian Space Agency through this Announcement of Opportunity. This additional support is to cover costs that are not already covered by ESA for selected Canadian post-secondary students.

For more information, please contact: tlp@esa.int