Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) – Noordwijk, Netherlands

The Commercialisation and Innovation Team in the Directorate of Human & Robotic Exploration (HRE) leads the definition and coordinates the implementation of  industry-driven innovation initiatives delivered within the framework of the Agency’s European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P). Core responsibilities include the promotion of industry-driven utilisation of Space Exploration infrastructure and services, the engagement of non-space industry in the development of future capabilities for deep space exploration as well as the development of capabilities for the use of Space Resources in support of sustained lunar and Martian surface exploration. The team supports the development of the Moonlight Programme, managed within the ESA Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications (CSC),  providing lunar communication and navigation services and is managing the Business in Space Growth (BSGN). The BSGN has been established with the aim to grow private sector funded activities related to Space Exploration and is supported by four Industry Accelerators established in the fields of Sustainable Food, Advanced Materials and in-Space Manufacturing and Health and Space Resources.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Space Resource Utilisation

The European Space Agency is currently investing in the development of Space Resource Utilisation application, developing technologies along the ISRU value chain, from prospecting, excavation, extraction of resources and their final end use.

These activities comprise several fields in which the Agency is proactively expanding, the technical aspects, with the creation of state of the art laboratories in collaboration with the Luxembourg Government, to community engagement activities, such as the Space Resources Week and the Space Resources Challenge, and by supporting Space Resources Start up programs and Accelerators.

Whilst the Agency, and its international partners, are still working out the details of ISRU driven architectures, to move towards a more sustainable, and sustained exploration of the celestial bodies, the ground based testing facilities are being developed to provide the community with access to bespoke technologies.

You will experience a variety of tasks in a very flexible environment. Spanning from technical work, to event organisation support, and providing support to the compilation of programmatic and strategy documents, with an opportunity to learn a variety of tasks and skills which will be useful for your career.

As an intern you will be:

• Supporting the definition, implementation, and promotion of Space Resource community and commercial events. Providing support in various areas. This will include the Space Resources Challenge, the Space Resources Week and other potential events such as Space for Inspiration;
• Supporting the Tutor and other team members, in technical tasks, such as projects reviews, steering groups activities and updates, HRE-FC teams updates and other forms of reporting as decided by the Tutor;
• Supporting the Tutor and the team in the redaction, publication and administration of any Open Space Innovation Platform campaign. Providing technical and marketing expertise as applicable;
• Supporting Business Model creation, providing existing expertise (i.e. in business or technical) to refine existing models and investigate public domain to gather stronger data sets to support the modelling activities. With ample opportunity for the candidate to improve existing skills or be introduced to new ones;
• Monitoring and reporting on advancement of Space Resources activities in Europe and worldwide from public domain. 

In general it is expected of you to be flexible in the tasks which will be assigned, which will be commensurate to the expertise and aimed at providing you with real work experience, whilst contributing to fundamental aspects of the Space Resources technology and community development.

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 in your final or second-to-last year of a university course at Master’s level and you need to remain 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 Member State language would be an asset.

Knowledge and background in Satellite System Design, Mission Analysis and general competencies in Communications & Navigation is an asset.