Our team and mission

The Commercialisation and Innovation Team within the Directorate of Human & Robotic Exploration (HRE) spearheads cross-sectoral innovation initiatives aimed at fostering a commercial ecosystem in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and the cis-lunar environment.

Our initiatives focus on promoting the industrial use of automated and crewed platforms in LEO for research and applications, as well as accelerating the utilisation of space resources to support sustainable space exploration. Additionally, we collaborate with the ESA Directorates of Navigation and Telecommunications to deliver the Moonlight initiative, which aims to establish commercial lunar communication and navigation services.

To achieve these objectives, we have established the Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) Industry Accelerators in key market sectors such as Sustainable Food, Advanced Materials and In-Space Manufacturing, Health, and Space Resources. These Accelerators provide support to industrial users of automated and crewed infrastructures in LEO and assist companies in developing services along the value chain of space resource utilisation.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int  

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Post-ISS Low Earth Orbit (LEO) ecosystem development – Support to the Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN)

The International Space Station (ISS) has provided Europe with more than two decades of continuous human presence and scientific excellence in orbit. As the ISS approaches the end of its operational lifetime, a new generation of commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) platforms and services is emerging worldwide. These commercial infrastructures and services will need to address both institutional demand (e.g. astronaut activities, science and R&D in support of the development of future exploration mission capabilities for the 3 strategic destinations for the Directorate of HRE: LEO, Moon and Mars) and commercial demand from terrestrial sectors making use of microgravity for innovation.

As part of the activities that the European Space Agency is conducting in preparation for this transition, the Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) initiatives were established, comprising 3 Industry Accelerators supporting demand for commercial R&D in life sciences, advanced materials and in-space manufacturing, and agri-food. The aim for the currently ongoing Phase 2 of BSGN is to stimulate and support commercially viable research and development projects in orbit, foster new strategic partnerships, and ensure continuity of European utilisation capacity beyond the ISS. The vision for Phase 3 is to implement, in close coordination with other ESA Directorates (CIC, TEC, STS), a comprehensive LEO ecosystem development approach balancing the development of both supply and demand in the LEO commercial value chain.

As an intern in the Commercialisation and Innovation Team (HRE-FC), you will:

• Contribute to the analysis of the evolving LEO ecosystem, mapping the supply side (e.g. new commercial stations, transportation, free-flyers, payload hosting facilities and in-orbit services providers) and demand side (institutional and industry-driven);
• Support the monitoring of commercial projects supported by the BSGN Industry Accelerators during Phase 1 and the current Phase 2;
• Contribute to market assessments and stakeholder engagement activities in the relevant terrestrial/downstream markets which are expressing demand for microgravity-assisted commercial R&D activities, such as life sciences (pharmaceutical, biotech, cosmetics), advanced materials and in-space manufacturing, and agri-food, understanding industry requirements for a range of different use cases and the LEO commercial services which are addressing them;
• Proofread and support the technical documentation and background analyses;
• Contribute and assist the identification of potential ESA–industry strategic partnerships, with particular attention to large-scale and long-term initiatives (e.g. challenge-driven and open innovation initiatives) in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals;
• Contribute to the preparation and delivery of ESA events involving institutional and private stakeholders active in the LEO market, including workshops, industry days, and stakeholder consultations.

This internship will provide you with an opportunity to:

• Gain insight into ESA’s approach to commercialisation and innovation in the context of the transition to the post-ISS environment and LEO ecosystem development;
• Develop analytical skills in assessing new space infrastructures, markets and business cases;
• Learn how institutional programmes interact with private sector initiatives to shape the future LEO economy;
• Contribute to concrete activities supporting the design, selection and implementation of commercially relevant in-orbit projects;
• Experience the preparation and delivery of high-level ESA events involving institutional and private sector stakeholder, and develop skills in communication and engagement across these communities.

The activity will be held in close coordination with the Tutor and as part of the commercialisation & innovation team. The BSGN activities are conducted in close collaboration with multiple directorates within ESA (CIC, TEC, STS) and industries.

Support links:

• The Business in Space Growth Network
• BSGN Industry Accelerators - BSGN
• ESA BSGN - Business in Space Growth Network - YouTube
• International Space Station National Laboratory

Behavioural competencies

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You must be a university student, preferably studying at master’s level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

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

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

Knowledge and background in innovation management, business development, open innovation, technology policy or understanding of relevant terrestrial markets and industry players (i.e. pharmaceutical, biotech, advanced materials, agri-food) is an asset.

Good communication skills and the ability to synthesise complex information into clear insights will be essential for the success of this internship.