Internship opportunities at ESA's Astronaut Centre

We are looking for dynamic people who can work independently to help us meet the challenges of human and robotic space exploration. You will be encouraged to show initiative, take on new challenges and learn new skills. In return, you will have access to EAC facilities and work in a stimulating, multi-national environment that is unique within Europe and close to the historic and vibrant city of Cologne along the famous River Rhine.

Internships are available in a number of areas. For detailed information, please click the relevant links. Interested students are asked to familiarise themselves with the general terms and conditions of ESA internships here. 

Spaceship EAC

The Spaceship EAC initiative is investigating low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies that could support future cislunar space missions as well as surface activities on the Moon as part of the Exploration, Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team. The multidisciplinary, innovation-driven team comprises researchers, graduate and undergraduate students.

Space medicine team

Based on current priorities, the Space Medicine Team offers internship opportunities to students of medicine, the biomedical sciences or biomedical, electrical, mechanical and data/software engineering and – where appropriate – those with specific expertise relevant to a project.

Space training team – media production

Multimedia internships at EAC offer exciting and fulfilling opportunities to produce video (filming and editing with Premiere) and media (2D and 3D: Adobe CC) to support astronaut training, E-Learning and more.

Space training team – CAVES and PANGAEA

The CAVES and PANGAEA team specialises in training programmes that equip astronauts and mission developers with scientific, expeditionary and behavioural and skill sets for current and future space exploration. The group’s primary output is focused around two training programmes:

• CAVES (Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skills) teaches astronauts human performance and behavioural skills for exploration tasks through an expedition into a natural cave system. Cave systems present environments and situations very similar to spaceflight, making them ideal for this type of training.
• PANGAEA (Planetary ANalogue Geological and Astrobiological Exercise for Astronauts) is a geological and astrobiological field training course for astronauts and mission developers. It develops fundamental knowledge and skills in these disciplines, as well as observational and decisional skills such as identifying important geological features in the field, conducting efficient sampling and effectively communicating with scientists on Earth. 

CAVES and PANGAEA interns have had the opportunity to contribute directly to several fields which enhance these training programmes as well as prepare for the next phases of human spaceflight. Click the links below to learn more about the team’s current internship opportunities:

Electronic Fieldbook (EFB) system development: the EFB is a tool supporting astronaut field mission operations with technology for geolocation, mapping, scientific data gathering, sensors interaction and wireless data relay to remote mission control centres. Interns are sought to support the development of this exploration tool in order to improve, extend and test its functionalities.

Machine learning for recognition of planetary materials from multispectral datasets: interns are sought to continue development of machine learning algorithms for recognition of planetary materials from multispectral datasets. This project focuses on combining several mineral characteristics to achieve automatic classification.

Planetary Mineral Database development and validation of spectra classification methods: interns are sought to continue enhancing and developing our analytical toolset consisting of multi-spectral archives and mineralogical catalogues. They will also help in the testing of a machine learning software to evaluate the most suitable spectral identification method of planetary materials, and may contribute to the PANGAEA astronaut field-science training course.

Ground segment and IT

The ground segment and IT team holds full responsibility of all systems that support EAC’s International Space Station control rooms as well as many other business critical IT systems. As an intern on the team, you will work to support the team and EAC by developing bespoke and valuable software tools.

With many years of experience in multiple fields of engineering and IT, the team is well prepared to mentor interns through challenging projects that will have a real impact on services at EAC.

XR-Lab

Within the XR-Lab, the trainee will work with Virtual Reality tools for astronaut training. The potential usage of XR (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality or Mixed Reality) and associated haptic devices at EAC are suitable for EVA, robotics, LUNA analogue facility and onboard ISS purposes requiring incremental preparation, prototyping and tests of tools helping the crew and ground support personal to design, prepare or complement space training. XR at EAC is also used in support of mission design for various missions (Low Earth Orbit, EL3 on the Moon, Gateway around the Moon or Mars). When used in weightlessness conditions, XR hardware and software necessitate specific research, modification, tests or ground up design to ensure full realism, functionality and robust tracking in Zero-G conditions.

Applications are currently closed.

Interested students are asked to familiarise themselves with the general terms and conditions of ESA internships here.

EAC communications team

Applications for internship opportunities with the team promoting Human and Robotic Exploration of space are currently closed.

Interested students are asked to familiarise themselves with the general terms and conditions of ESA internships here.

School internships at EAC

We offer a limited number of internship places at EAC to school pupils each year.

School internships at EAC last between one and three weeks and can take place during the schools’ official internship periods, or sometimes on a voluntary basis during school holidays.

During their internships, school interns will be introduced to the main areas of responsibility of the teams at EAC, and in addition will work on an individual project under the supervision of an EAC staff member. Most activities and the project work will be conducted in English.

School interns must be citizens of one of the ESA member or cooperating states: ESA - Member States & Cooperating States.

Non-local pupils are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements in Cologne. Adult supervision outside working hours at the EAC cannot be provided.

 

All available school internship places for 2024 have been filled, and applications can no longer be considered for that year.

Pupils who are interested in doing an internship at the EAC in 2025 can submit their applications until 30 September 2024. We will then review all applications received and will allocate internship places based on availability and applicant information. Applicants can expect to hear from us with a positive or negative reply within two months after the final submission date.

To apply, please email us with a short motivation letter and your CV, both in English, to mareike.morawietz@ext.esa.int, indicating your desired internship dates. Please also include a copy of your latest school report.