Apply for the Space Debris Training Course

The experience

Participating university students will learn about the space debris environment, focusing on understanding the dangers posed to spacecraft and satellite operations in near-Earth space. The course will cover the critical principles of space debris mitigation and related technologies, future challenges such as large satellite constellations, how space traffic and debris objects impact spacecraft operations, current policies as well as potential future solutions.

Taught by experts from ESA as well as external specialists in the sector, the course will be delivered through formal technical lectures complemented by hands-on exercises based on real-life case studies, where students will apply their theoretical knowledge to simulate solutions to space debris challenges.

To enhance the learning experience, students will actively engage in a group project throughout the week to apply their newly acquired knowledge and present their results to the experts for evaluation. Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded a certificate of participation and a course transcript, enabling them to request ECTS credit(s) from their respective universities.

This training course is a collaboration between ESA’s Education Office and ESA’s Space Debris Office, which coordinates ESA's research activities in all major space debris disciplines. These include measurements, modelling, protection, and mitigation strategies. It also provides risk assessment, supports mission preparation, and operates ESA’s collision avoidance system for a fleet of about 20 spacecraft, implements technology development aspects in the Agency’s Space Safety programme (S2P) and represents ESA on space debris matters at international bodies such as the IADC (Inter-Agency Debris Coordination Committee) or UNCOPUOS (United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space).

Ultimately, the course aims to raise awareness, inspire students to contribute to space sustainability, and equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the growing challenges of space debris, whether in research or professional pursuits.

Preliminary schedule

Day 1	Welcome and introduction to the course forces acting on a space object The space debris environment and the Zero Debris approach Mitigation principles and guidelines Group project introduction and session 1
Day 2	Space debris mitigation context Deorbiting & passivation technologies The future of the environment Group project session 2
Day 3	Space surveillance Operating in the space debris environment Collision avoidance Protection & shielding Group project session 3
Day 4	Aerothermodynamic during re-entry Simulation of spacecraft destruction during atmospheric re-entry On-ground risk estimation Space debris: legal & regulatory aspects Group project session 4
Day 5	Design for demise Active debris removal Group exercise Group project presentation Conclusion

More information

Who can apply?

To participate, students must fulfil the following eligibility criteria: 

• be aged minimum 18 years old. ESA Academy and relevant partners will only appraise applications from students who have no or limited professional experience in relevant engineering or space-related topics;

• be a citizen of an ESA Member State, an ESA Associate Member, or Canada*.
• be enrolled as a university student for the academic year 2025-2026 and/or 2026-2027 in a Master (i.e., MSc or equivalent) or a Doctoral (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) degree programme;
• be studying engineering, science, or business, with a base knowledge of space technology and astrodynamics.

Selected students will be requested to attend the entire 5-day training course at ESEC-Galaxia. They will be sponsored by ESA to cover accommodation and meal expenses, as well as up to 350 euros for travelling to Belgium.

ESA is committed to achieving diversity and creating an inclusive professional environment. To this end, we welcome proposals and applications from all eligible candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. The ESA Academy strongly encourages inclusiveness within its programmes and within participating teams, which contributes to the enrichment of our programme. 

Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support, either digitally or at the location of the training. In case of any questions or specific needs, please reach out to academy.training@esa.int to get assistance or advice during the application process. 

* Canadian students enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution may apply for additional support from the Canadian Space Agency through this Announcement of Opportunity (grant applications must be submitted at least 7 weeks before the event start date – create an account as soon as possible!). This additional support is to cover costs that are not already covered by ESA for selected Canadian post-secondary students.

How to apply?

• Apply through ESA Learn, the ESA Education and Community Platform;
• Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no image);
• Upload a CV (PDF, Europass format, maximum 2 pages, no image);
• Upload a formal recommendation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, including signature, no images) from a university professor or academic supervisor of current university (if it is not possible to receive the recommendation letter from your referee, please ask them to send a recommendation email to academy.training@esa.int before the application deadline);
• Upload a copy of your Transcript of Grades from the two previous semesters, or, if not available, the previous graded academic year (PDF).

All answers and documents should be in English (Transcript of Grades can be submitted in language of hosting university, if unavailable in English).

Deadlines

The deadline for applications to participate in the Space Debris Training Course 2026 is 12 July 2026 23:55 CEST.

The selection announcement will be on 27 July 2026.

Before you apply

Accommodation

• Participants will stay at Mercure hotel in Han Sur Lesse.
• The hotel will be provided and paid for by ESA.
• Students will be assigned shared rooms with participants of the same gender.

Arrival and departure

• Arrival:
  • Students are expected to arrive at Rochefort Jemelles train station on Sunday, 20 September 2026.
• Departure:
  • Either Friday, 25 September 2026 after 18:30 CEST (from Rochefort Jemelles train station), or
  • Saturday, 26 September 2026 before 11:00 CEST
• Important:
  • Selected students are required to attend the entire workshop from start to finish.

Transportation during the Workshop

• A bus service will be provided and paid for participants by ESA:
  • Morning: Hotel → ESA ESEC-Galaxia
  • Evening: ESA ESEC-Galaxia → Hotel

For more information, please contact academy.training@esa.int.