Internship Opportunity in the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes.
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
Location
EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany
Our team and mission
Within the XR-Lab, you will work with Virtual Reality tools for astronaut training. The potential usage of VR and haptic devices at EAC suitable for EVA purposes requires the incremental prototyping of a tool helping the crew prepare or complement their Neutral Buoyancy Facility (NBF) runs. This tool, dubbed VREVA is aiming at enhancing classical spacewalk training via VR and various haptics devices using several already existing ESA projects in the domain of astronaut training in VR. This internship will be then focused on analyzing the current tools and training, complement the existing VREVA (Unreal Engine based) and create/modify relevant additional tools, models, define training objectives and scenarios in close cooperation with the XR-Lab team and NBF/EVA training team.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: www.esa.int/ESA
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
Topic: Investigate, improve and test VR and haptic devices for Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) VR Training Tool (VREVA)
Part 1: Get familiarized, retrieve past VREVA codes, blueprints and further virtualize the Neutral Buoyancy Facility (NBF) and the immersed training modules, as well as further demonstrate/refine in VR the capability to translate, rotate along EVA paths/handrails from A to B. A and B will vary.
The zero-G simulation here is key to mimic weightlessness as closely as possible (EAC to suggest technical implementation based on past experiences and existing VR Zero-G projects). Water resistance can also be considered in the addition to zero-G simulation to better render the NBF conditions.
Further on, add a second user (instructor or 2nd crew) in VR scene for collaborative sessions based on XR-Lab collaborative templates and UIs.
Interaction with the VR including translations and rotations will make use of two VR hand controllers and HMD.
Part 2: Create missing 3D models for the key tools used during EVA in the NBF (some have been created but need improvements). These tools are: mini workstation, tethers, suit, Robotics Work Platform (APFR), Power Tool (PGT), … The exact list of tools and their description to be created in 3D would be provided by EAC.
If time allows: Represent and animate the second user (instructor or 2nd crew) in form of avatar mimicking his/her body position: Suit avatar to be either provided by EAC or to be created.
Integrate in VR those tools and check-out their usability in translation scenarios, hatch operation or fixation on worksites. Part of those are pre-existing.
The interaction with these tools will make use of the VR hand controllers and HMD.
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
You must 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.
Knowledge relevant to the field of activity. Skills relating to VR/AR development, relevant programming capability in this area and with relevant tools (e.g. Unreal/Unity). Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office. Once the application to one or multiple project(s) has been identified, you shall further interact with the rest of the XR team to best test the device within a (or more) VR/AR project.
You should also be able to integrate/suggest how this device can be integrated into VR/AR hardware (currently VIVE Pro, Pimax and Occulus Quest 2) and be linked with the associated PCs, laptops, trackers and sensors.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
If you require support with your application due to a disability, please email contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Internships can take place remotely, on-site or partially on-site depending on the pandemic situation, and in line with the relevant Establishment’s policy (e.g. possible Green Pass requirement) applicable at the time of starting the internship.
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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Cyprus and Slovakia as European Cooperating States (ECS).