Our team and mission

The Test Centre Division is in charge of the ESTEC Test Centre, where satellites and other ESA space hardware are tested before being sent into space. The Test Centre is equipped with many world-class test facilities, and is developing new test method and measuring techniques. The tasks handled by the Division are:

• Operation, maintenance and updating of the ESTEC Test Centre facilities;
• Mechanical and electrical engineering support to projects and ESTEC laboratories;
• Study and development of new test methods and test facilities;
• Study, development and application of new measurement equipment (e.g. videogrammetry, thermography) and data acquisition systems.

A virtual tour of the test centre can be found at the following URL:
https://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/ESTEC/virtualtour/

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

In the Engineering Services Section of the Test Centre Division, several in house developed acquisition systems are available for use during environmental testing of Spacecraft. Next to them, some systems are used to verify the performance of a test facility prior or after a test. The recently procured Laser Radar belongs to the latter. It is used to measure the shape of semi-transparent surfaces but thanks to its ability to accurately detect the position and shape of reflecting surfaces (e.g. mirror), it is employed to verify or to modify the configuration of the sun simulator (SUSI) of the largest thermal vacuum chamber available at ESTEC – the Large Space Simulator.
The Laser Radar is nevertheless a bulky equipment and its handling is not trivial. In addition, and to streamline the verification/configuration of the sun simulator, it needs to be placed inside the thermal vacuum chamber in specific locations to maximize the accessibility (view factor) to the 121 mirror segments that are part of the sun simulation system and that require to be measured.
In the frame of the traineeship, you will be asked to conceive and design a platform for the Laser Radar, capable to adjust the position of the measurement unit (fine tuning of the position). In addition it shall be compatible for installation in the Large Space Simulator in the positions defined in conjunction with the colleagues of the metrology laboratory, during the requirement collection phase (at the beginning of the activity).
Where possible, the platform shall be able to mount the laser radar prior transfer inside the chamber, and therefore to hold its weight during hosting operations.
After successful design review, you will be asked to arrange the manufacturing. Once completed, the task will continue with the integration of the parts and acceptance testing and verification of the requirements.
During the period at ESTEC, you will have the possibility to support and/or witness measurements campaigns in the laboratories of the Engineering Services Section, or in the Test Centre, in coordination with the supervisor and the colleagues in the section.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

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

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

Specific experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered an asset:

• Experience with 3DEX, Catia V5 or similar 3D mechanical CAD design tools;
• Experience with Finite Element analysis;
• Experience with hands-on work (e.g. integration of mechanical parts).