Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) – Darmstadt, Germany

The Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department is responsible for all the ground systems engineering and support activities required to support mission operations and implement innovation. The department maintains and manages a full level of competences, technologies and services in all engineering disciplines related to ground systems, infrastructure, technology evolution and engineering R&T and innovation. The department provides expert support in these areas to the Directorate of Operations for all current and potential missions and leads, in the role of architect, ground systems evolution and innovation implementation in the infrastructure. The department is furthermore responsible for the overall technical standardisation coordination for the ground segment, in particular in the Management Council of the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS).  

The department is relying on the following domains of expertise: 

– Ground Station Engineering;

– Flight Dynamics and Mission Analysis; 

– Mission Operations Data Systems Engineering; 

– Navigation Support;

– Multi-Mission Infrastructure – Ground Segment Integration and Testing.

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

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/gse/Building_infrastructure_on_Earth_to_support_satellites_in_space.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose between the following topics:
 
1) Topic 1: Development of Vizualisation Software 

For precise orbit determination of satellites, the Navigation Support Office uses raw data from different sources such as from Global Navigation Satellite Systems, Satellite Laser Ranging and Very Large Baseline Interferometry. The data processing can either be carried out in real-time or non real-time. To analyse the raw data as well as the processed data for validity, it has to be visualised. This allows to understand the obtained results and the data processing itself in a much better way. The Navigation Support Office has identified the key requirements, which are to be satisfied by a dedicated visualisation software. These requirements range from two-dimensional scatter plots and map plots to complex real-time animations in three dimensions. Based on existing prototypes, the internship will support the further development of the Navigation Support Office visualisation software. The development will include the definition and testing of interfaces, the implementation of specific test cases, the validation of the software and the documentation in a user manual. During the activity, regular feedback will be provided by the Navigation Support Office team applying an agile process. The learning areas comprise experience in developing software in a team with direct exposure to the future users of the software as part of an agile process, developing test cases, conducting tests and validating the developed software. 

 
2)Topic 2: Artificial Intelligence for Precise Navigation 

To fulfil the high-quality demands on its precise navigation products, the Navigation Support Office carefully monitors all incoming data with the goal to detect specific events, which might be related to the transmitting spacecraft, the signal path through the atmosphere, the measurement or the data product generation. To provide the highest possible product accuracy, significant effort is spent on the modelling of satellite orbits, signal biases, environmental disturbances and of satellite, transmitter, station, antenna and receiver characteristics. Such modelling is based on a sound physical understanding and expert knowledge. Due to the multitude of effects, the monitoring and the model development are challenging and time-consuming. Given the large amount of data being processed, the input-output dependency and the complexity of the involved processes and models, the use of Artificial Intelligence technologies is expected to provide a significant benefit. Based on existing prototypes, the internship will support the further development of the Navigation Support Office data processing software using Artificial Intelligence technologies. The development will include the definition and testing of interfaces, the implementation of specific test cases as well as the validation of the software. During the activity, regular feedback will be provided by the Navigation Support Office team applying an agile process. The learning areas comprise experience in developing software in a team with direct exposure to the future users of the software as part of an agile process, developing test cases, conducting tests and validating the developed software.

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.

Depending on the selected topic, knowledge of Satellite Navigation, Artificial Intelligence technologies and Software Engineering is an asset.