Return to jobs
Exciting internship opportunity to evolve and influence space debris mitigation requirements for the European Space Agency (ESA).
Overview
Salary
No salary declared 😔
Location
Noordwijk, NL
Expires
Expires at anytime
At the esteemed Independent Safety Office of the ESA, we have an internship that offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of space exploration and safety. Our team oversees human spacecraft safety engineering, space debris mitigation protocols, and re-entry safety amongst other crucial safety aspects. This opening specifically revolves around the analysis and premeditation of existing and emerging space debris mitigation standards, focusing primarily on Zero Debris. Key role aspects include critically reviewing compliance level, liaising with internal experts, and compiling a report that heralds the future standards up to 2030.
Role Summary:
- Analyze existing and upcoming space debris mitigation standards at an international level.
- Consult with internal ESA experts on the challenges of Zero Debris.
- Prepare a report based on your analyses to help shape ESA’s future space debris mitigation requirements.
Role Requirements:
- You must be a university student able to verify ongoing enrollment.
- Students at the masters’ level are given preference.
- Proficiency in English or French is mandatory, while knowledge of an additional ESA Member State language is beneficial.
- A background or pronounced interest in space debris issues and systems engineering is an asset.
Visit the ESA website for more information and to apply.
Our team at the Independent Safety Office is tasked with overseeing the implementation and supporting the development and maintenance of the ESA policies, requirements, and standards for all aspects of human spaceflight safety engineering, space debris mitigation, re-entry safety, nuclear power safety, and planetary protection. We coordinate and cooperate with international partners and bodies, ensuring independent verification of compliance of projects and suppliers regarding human spaceflight safety engineering, planetary protection, nuclear power safety, and space debris mitigation requirements and supporting the resolution of in-flight anomalies. We also support Member States in the evaluation of launch authorizations for compliance with Space Debris Mitigation requirements in the frame of Technical Assistance Agreements and assess safety posture for US crew vehicles transporting ESA astronauts.
The role involves reviewing Existing and Emerging Space Debris Mitigation Standards, Policies, and frameworks, both within Europe and internationally, identifying key trends, gaps, and potential areas of improvement. You will analyze Lessons Learned from ESA Activities Related to Zero Debris, for the purpose of informing Space Debris Mitigation requirements evolution. Activities may include study on Zero Debris thresholds evolution, spacecraft platforms evolution for Zero Debris, dark and quiet skies, Zero Debris for lunar missions, Close Proximity Operations, etc. You will also analyze lessons learned from ESA mission reviews of compliance with Space Debris Mitigation requirements, including a critical review of the assessed compliance level across ESA projects, based on the annual report prepared by our team, and analysis of collected data. You will consult with ESA internal experts working on specific areas of Zero Debris and gather input on challenges, constraints, and opportunities related to the evolution of space debris mitigation requirements. Finally, you will prepare a consolidated report summarizing recommendations and supporting analyses for informing ESA’s Space Debris Mitigation requirements evolution by 2030. You may be invited to present your findings to relevant ESA panels or working groups.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website. You must be a university student, preferably studying at master’s level, and able to prove that you will be enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship. A good knowledge of English or French is required, and knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset. Knowledge and background in space debris issues and systems engineering is also an asset.
