Intern in Exploration Technologies for Human Spaceflight

Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) - Near Cologne, Germany

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (D/HRE) is the main ESA entity in charge of supporting and coordinating efforts towards the current and the future endeavours of human spaceflight. The exploration activities are part of the strategic plans in securing a central role for Europe with respect to the global initiatives. The European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P) is integrating the ESA activities in this field to ensure a single exploration process. The strategy includes three destinations where humans will work with robots to gather new knowledge: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Moon, and Mars.

The “Spaceship EAC” initiative is investigating low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies for supporting the future cislunar space mission as well as surface activities on the Moon as part of the Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team. This multidisciplinary, innovation-driven team composed by researchers, graduate and undergraduate students is based at the ESA European Astronaut Centre (EAC). The mission of “Spaceship EAC” is to enhance, enable, and inspire. By leveraging the spaceflight experience at EAC, we aim to develop and validate new operational concepts and technologies to support human exploration of the Moon. We adopt a practical, research-focused approach and share our findings with ESA, our partners, and the scientific community.

Within Spaceship EAC, we have a number of fields where we carry out different projects. These fields are:

• Demonstrating disruptive technologies such as Virtual/Augmented Reality, AI and machine learning, collaborative robotics and their potential use cases for exploration;
• Investigating novel concepts in the domain of Space Resources/In-Situ Resource Utilisation, to enable sustainable human exploration · Using advanced manufacturing methodologies, such as additive manufacturing, for projects within the centre and for space exploration;
• Supporting the development of the LUNA analogue test facility at EAC;
• Developing new ideas around medical technologies, for example, using machine learning techniques to support long term exploration;
• Topics related to ‘off world living’, e.g. human factors, design and concept illustration.

Additionally, the Spaceship team is involved in supporting the development of our new LUNA facility at EAC. This facility will serve as a central hub for lunar exploration preparations at ESA and DLR. It features a 700 sqm lunar surface testbed, facilitating the development and validation of operational concepts, astronaut training, and technology demonstrations for Moon exploration. Additionally, the facility will showcase elements of an analogue Moon base, such as a habitat/laboratory module, and a regenerative energy system among others. We are continually looking for innovative applicants with skills or interests in these areas to join the Spaceship EAC team. An outline of some of the projects that we have recently been progressing can be found at the ESA blog. For more information on Spaceship EAC internships, please look at the Spaceship EAC blog (Spaceship EAC – ESA – Exploration)
 

For further information visit our web site: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose between the following topics:

Topic 1: Spaceship EAC Option 1

Spaceship EAC – our team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas into which the initiative is currently active are:

• Energy production and storage;
• Radiation shielding;
• In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU);
• VR/AR technologies for exploration;
• Embedded systems and IoT;
• Exercise hardware and countermeasure concept;
• AI / Machine learning for exploration;
• Robotics and human factors;
• Conceptual illustration/design.

Topic 2: Spaceship EAC Option 2

As an intern, you will contribute to the definition and planning of early utilisation scenarios within LUNA, working closely with the LUNA project team. Responsibilities include supporting initial operations in the LUNA hall, facilitating the use of the facility by Spaceship teams, and developing bespoke capabilities within LUNA. This role also involves supporting the design, planning, interface definition, and operational concept development of initial elements of the analogue Moon base, as well as aiding in the final preparations and early outfitting of the LUNA hall.

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education

Candidates must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. Applicants should preferably be in their final or second to last year of a university course at master’s level in a technical or scientific discipline.

Additional requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

Additional requirements:

The topics respectively require educational knowledge such as: 

Topic 1: Spaceship EAC Option 1

Knowledge and background in the topical areas presented for Spaceship EAC is required. When applying for this topic, please identify which project area your background is best aligned with.

Topic 2: Spaceship EAC Option 2

Knowledge and background in aerospace engineering, geosciences, engineering, architecture, civil/construction engineering and materials are considered an asset.