Our team and mission

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

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration 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 Terrae Novae Programme is integrating the ESA activities across three destinations: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Moon, and Mars.

The ESA-DLR LUNA Analog Facility is being developed and integrated as a central element to prepare lunar surface activities at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC). It features a large lunar surface testbed to simulate the surface environment integrated into the human spaceflight operational ecosystem of ESA and DLR. Additionally, the facility will showcase elements of lunar surface infrastructure in an analogue Moon base, such as a habitat/laboratory module, a greenhouse module and a regenerative energy module. The focus of the facility are the development and validation of operations concepts, technology development, astronaut training, scientific research and outreach activities.

Based at EAC, the internships will be part of the multidisciplinary, innovation-driven team composed by researchers, graduate and undergraduate students of the “Spaceship EAC” initiative, as part of the Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team. The founding idea behind this initiative is to enhance the capabilities of EAC via exploiting the spaceflight experience of the centre to develop and validate new operational concepts and valuable technologies in support of lunar human exploration scenarios. A pragmatic and research focused approach is adopted, and knowledge acquired is disseminated within ESA, partners and the relevant scientific community.

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, please visit:

Luna Analog Facility

Spaceship EAC

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:

1) Topic 1: LUNA Analog Facility – Utilisation and Operations Support

You will support the definition of early utilisation scenarios within LUNA, in coordination with the LUNA project team, and detail their planning, such as the operations of rovers within the LUNA hall, the facilitation of Spaceship teams utilisation and initial EVA operations. These activities are expected to be carried out in a variety of utilisation scenarios that need to be defined a priori with respect to resources planning, scheduling, interfaces definition, scientific coordination, etc.
 

Furthermore, you will support the adaptation and/or development EVA tools and their integration into the operational concepts of the LUNA facility

.

2) Topic 2: LUNA Analog Facility – Analog Moon Base Development

This topic will focus on supporting the development and integration of initial elements of the analogue Moon base around LUNA, including design, planning, interface definition, and operational concept development. Aspects include habitation, laboratory spaces, energy systems, construction from/with lunar materials.

3) Topic 3: LUNA Analog Facility – Moon Surface Simulation

You will support the final preparations and early outfitting of the LUNA hall and the regolith testbed, with a particular focus on the logistics around the regolith filling and initial surface modelling to resemble lunar polar exploration areas. Initial scenarios for selected surface activities and sites will be developed and their simulation in LUNA are defined and characterized.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your 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:

1) Topic 1:

• Knowledge and background in aerospace engineering, robotics, operations and lunar science are considered an asset

2) Topic 2:

• Knowledge and background in engineering, architecture, civil/construction engineering, materials and construction are required

3) Topic 3: 

• Knowledge and background in aerospace engineering, geosciences and materials are considered an asset