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Contents Earth observationLife science/science under microgravity conditionsSpace technology researchGround system technologiesApplied mathematics and data processingEarly careers Young Graduate TraineesPhD & Post docsStudent placements Job videos Careers@ESA World of ESA Services Careers newsSubscribe to vacanciesFrequently asked questions
|  | | | | | | Areas of research
This list of possible disciplines for which a research topic can be proposed, although comprehensive, is not exhaustive.
ESA will evaluate any research proposal providing that it is relevant to ESA's current activities.
Space science
The latest news is available in the
Research and Scientific Support Department website (Research Fellowships).
Earth observation
Earth resources
advanced remote sensing
instrumentation: passive microwave radiometry and sounding, synthetic aperture radars, scatterometers and altimeters, multispectral scanner
data processing methodologies: processing of image data, processing of synthetic aperture radar data and scatterometers
atmospheric processes and their influence on remote sensing measurements
advanced technology (satellite): large scale memories, optical charge coupled and acoustic wave devices for image and side-looking radar data handing
computer simulation of on-board processing systems
Geodesy, geophysics
Earth kinematics studies (Earth rotation polar motion)
refined studies on Earth potential
geodynamics, earthquake prediction research
position-determination and navigation systems
physical oceanography
ice dynamics
studies of scientific and operational aspects of satellite observation laser systems for precise position determination and for synchronization of clocks
satellite magnetometry
Metereology, climatology
Software:
picture processing (wind field extraction, sea surface temperature), temperature profile inversion techniques (infrared and microwave)
Systems:
microwave radiometry and sounding applied to meteorology
limb sounders, sub-mm heterodyne spectrometry Lidars
Climatology, radiative budget of the Earth
Life science/science under microgravity conditions
Life science
vestibular research, neurophysiology
physiology, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal systems, regulatory processes
cytology
rhythms
radiation biophysics
developmental biology
psycho-physiology
biochemistry
plant physiology
microbiology
bioengineering
clinical medicine
exobiology
bioprocessing
Science under microgravity conditions
Material science:
fluid phenomena influencing the design of microgravity experiments (convection, diffusion, viscous forces, pressure forces, transport mechanism, etc.)
experimental/mathematical modelling (characteristic numbers, hydrostatics, fluid dynamics, thermal Marangoni flow, flow regions, etc.)
metallurgy, composites, glasses (heat transfer, mass transfer, plane front solidification, nucleation, organization, eutectic growth, structures, liquid-solid mixtures, liquid-liquid mixtures, alloys, glasses, welding, casting, etc.)
crystal growth (model crystals, elementary crystals, binary crystals, low temperature solutions growth, vapour growth, etc.; crucible free zone melting, lattice defects, crystal contamination, etc.)
chemistry (chemical synthesis, corrosion processes, polymerization reactions, combustion processes, electrode reactions, free radical chemistry, catalysis, phase equilibria, etc.)
techniques related to experimentation under microgravity (heating techniques, positioning techniques, mixing devices, measuring techniques, observation techniques, etc.)
Space technology research
Spacecraft structures
structure analysis methods (computer-aided design, dynamics, design verification)
advanced composites structures
smart structures
erectable structures (large areas)
fatigue and fracture mechanics
Spacecraft propulsion
Chemical propulsion:
thermodynamic analyses of advanced engine cycles for storable and cryogenic bipropellant rocket engines
combustion instability studies
rocket exhaust plume analyses; plume flow-field characteristics; plume impingement effects
heat transfer analysis for rocket engines; regenerative cooling, film cooling
use of advanced materials for rocket engines (composites)
Electric propulsion:
mission analyses for orbital manoeuvres using electric propulsion; high energy orbits, drag compensation for low orbits
plasma physics and electro-optics analyses for field emission electric propulsion
Launcher propulsion
Rocket propulsion:
derivation and thermodynamic performance analysis of advanced rocket engine cycles for future launchers: influence of combustion pressure, variable mixture ratio, external expansion nozzles, advanced materials, dual fuel engines, tripropellant engines
Air-breathing propulsion:
thermodynamic analysis of advanced engine cycles for hydrogen fuelled air-breathing engines, including combined-cycle engines, for use in future reusable launchers
analysis of the installed propulsive performance of air-breathing engines in reusable launchers: force accounting and balance for thrust, drag, lift and vehicle weight
derivation of installed engine performance specific impulse and vehicle velocity losses as functions of altitude, Mach, incidence and bank angles
| | Solar panels | |
Mechanisms:
despun systems
solar array drive
space tribology
deployment booms and large masts
precision mechanisms for optical payload instruments
advanced momentum/energy storage actuators
precision pointing mechanisms
Thermal control
Thermal analysis and modelisation
Thermal software development
Thermal control technology:
heat transport (two-phase loops, heat pipes, fluid loops)
heat rejection (passive, heat pipe, hybrid and advanced radiators)
cryogenic cooling (cryostats, mechanical coolers and very low temperature cooling)
thermal protection systems for reentry and planetary entry vehicles
Environmental control and life support
ECLS analysis and modelisation
Life-support software development
Life-support technology (physico-chemical and biological):
air management systems
water management systems
food management systems
CELSS (closed ecological life support systems)
Habitability of manned vehicles and planetary bases:
architecture
hygiene
comfort
psychological issues
physiological issues
RF systems
analog and digital communication systems design and analysis including space and ground segments
communication techniques (coding, modulation, access, etc.)
TT&C techniques
global navigation
advanced remote sensing microwave instruments (radar radiometer, etc.); design and analysis
microwave and digital technologies for satellite payloads (low noise receiver, power amplification, frequency generation, filters, modems, etc.)
equipment, subsystems, systems performance evaluation in the RF systems laboratory
| | ESA/Redu ECS & TMS-1 antennas | |
Antennas, electromagnetism, propagation
antenna design and simulation
antenna calibration and measurement
electromagnetic compatibility
propagation, wave interactions
Attitude and orbit control
dynamic simulation of large flexible spacecraft
application of modern information/control theory to advanced attitude measurement/control systems and to robotic control
control organization for flexible robot manipulators
use of on-board processors for attitude control
dynamics of liquids (stability, energy, dissipation)
use of attitude detectors and gyros for spacecraft control
studies of gravity gradient and solar sailing
expert systems for control and diagnosis
studies of rendezvous and docking of spacecraft in-orbit
Robotics
kinematics and dynamic analysis and simulation
control systems and algorithms computation
robot programming and calibration
diagnostics, planning and recovery
sensor and sensor-based control system
joints and electro-mechanical actuators
wrist, end-effectors and grippers
electronic and electro magnetic drives
collision avoidance and intelligent control
teleoperation and human-machine interface
space payload servicing and automation
space capture and berthing
Optics
advanced optical detectors (solid state, single point, array, matrix)
advanced optical instrumentation for Earth observations
optical computers
components for astronomy observations in the various regions of the spectrum
advanced optical methods for pattern recognition, data transfer, etc.
coherent, superheterodyne and omodyne detection
Energy conversion
Solar cells and arrays:
silicon solar cell efficiency improvement and testing
Gas solar cell assessment, module interconnection technology
solar array assessment such as electro-magnetic interference and failure mode effects
investigation of large (multi-KW) deployable arrays
investigation of solar array–plasma interactions
Assessment of solar thermodynamic generators
Batteries:
development of new battery couples (metal hydrogen, fuel cells, sodium sulfur, lithium, etc.)
analysis of test results and impact on charge control
Electronics power conditioning and control:
optimization for missions with large variations sun distance, for multi-kW power range or for wide fluctuations in power demand; AC power generation and distribution
high voltage converter design, incorporation of thick and thin film technology in power conditioning and control subsystems
investigation of EMI and EMC aspects of power distribution systems
investigation of ESD (electrostatic discharge)
components for power systems and computer modeling of performances
thermoelectric conversion (application to radioisotope source)
energy storage by flywheels
| | Vibration tests | |
Space environment
electro magnetic shielding at low frequencies
prediction of electromagnetic interference on board spacecraft
control of spacecraft vibration tests
alternative test methods to space simulation
modal survey tests versus systems tests, influence on cost, reliability and schedule
spacecraft model philosophy, its influence on reliability, cost and schedule
Product assurance
cost effectiveness
availability and maintainability in space segment
reliability of mechanical systems
electronic, electrical and electro mechanical components:
- physics failure and reliability
- new failure analysis techniques for complex integrated circuits
- effects of space radiation (e.g. particles, ions, X-rays) on advanced semi-conductor technologies
- radiation hardening of MOS technologies
materials:
- material properties in relation to the space environment
- new materials in relation to all technological areas
bio-compatibility of components in closed environmental systems
software product assurance:
database:
- product assurance data collection and validation
experts systems for RAMS
sneak circuit analysis
Systems engineering
Applications:
long-term mission studies to determine technology development needs
studies on definition and coherence of the future space programmes
spacecraft and launcher system engineering concepts, optimisation
space systems utilization and mission studies
space operations in orbit servicing and support
Tools and tool applications:
CAD for system level applications, visualization tools
expert systems and A.I in system design
large collections of data – their handling and analysis including technical performance of systems and their costs, technology databases
Ground system technologies
Study, development and validation of ground based technologies for support of mission operations in the following fields:
ground data processing facilities for spacecraft monitoring and control, mission planning and management: expert systems, advanced man-machine interfaces, fault tolerance systems, object oriented techniques, etc.
communication network concepts and protocols supporting different media and modes of operation within the environment of space to ground link
spacecraft attitude and orbit determination and control: modeling, numerical methods and techniques, manoeuvre optimisation
ground station monitoring and control, data acquisition and transmission processing including associated coding techniques in different RF bands
space debris assessment: debris observation techniques, modelling of space debris environment, debris risk analysis
Applied mathematics and data processing
Applied mathematics
mathematical analysis
numerical integration
estimation of theory
optimisation procedures
dynamic analysis of non-rigid systems
orbital calculations and mission analysis
CFD: computational fluid dynamics
simulation of physical systems
simulation and emulation of logical (computerised) systems with embedded software
scientific and engineering data processing
software engineering
knowledge-based systems
On-board data processing and signal processing
VISI design methods (analogue and digital)
data compression (losseless and lossy)
data storage
autonomous real time data systems
programming languages for real-time application
simulation of data systems
expert systems and artificial intelligence for fault recovery and planning
SAR processing
vision processing for robotics
video processing and compression
| | Pedro Duque during training in the Soyuz simulator at Star City | |
Simulators
simulators for named systems
flight simulators
virtual reality simulation
simulator of human body and its motion
specialized computer software and hardware for high performance real-time simulators
artificial intelligence and expert systems, applications and standardization
planning and timelining software tools
astronaut training methods and tools
On-board computers
fault tolerant computer systems
software validation for real-time systems using formal methods
design of failure tolerant highly reliable digital hardware
real-time distributed operating systems
Orbital and attitude dynamics
orbital manoeuvres/corrections
orbit optimisation, optimisation of manoeuvres
a priori error estimation
tracking method, calibration
orbit determination and differential correction, sequential estimation
motion about mass centre
optimisation of attitude manoeuvres
interaction of orbit and attitude manoeuvres
attitude control of flexible satellites
Celestial mechanics
analytical and numerical theories
manipulation of algebraic expressions
Information systems development
object-oriented database
multimedia archive creation and retrieval
documentation management system
knowledge-based retrieval systems
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