Apply now for the 2025 edition of ESA Academy’s Space Cybersecurity Training Course
ESA Academy is inviting 30 highly motivated Bachelor and Master students to attend the Space Cybersecurity Training Course. The 2nd edition of the training course will take place from 30 June to 4 July 2025 at the ESA Education Training and Learning Facility in ESEC-Galaxia, Belgium.
Europe's cyber environment
The array of 'space systems' in Europe, comprising satellites, telecommunication networks, data relay, navigation, and more, serves as a crucial link in our modern, interconnected societies.
The information and data generated, controlled, and shared by ESA and its Member States are of utmost importance for Europe's economic and civil security.
The proliferation and complexity of cyber-threats continue to escalate and impacts space-related infrastructures. For example, in February 2022, a cyberattack on commercial satellite services in Ukraine led to the shutdown of electricity-generating wind farms across central Europe.
ESA remains committed to protecting its space assets as well as those belonging to its partners and Member States. This dedication involves continuous efforts in cyber-resilience, including initiatives like ESA’s Cyber Centre of Excellence and the Cyber Security Operations Centre.
However, recruiting and retaining talent remains a significant challenge in maintaining cyber resilience, with an estimated gap of 2.27 million between the supply and demand for cybersecurity experts in 2021.
A new training opportunity for students
In this training session, students will explore an introductory course that delves into cybersecurity threats and risks, specifically tailored to the space sector. This will be followed by an immersion in security engineering for space systems emphasising cyber protection and operational risk management for cybersecurity. In particular, students will acquire hands-on experience in securing space communication systems and develop a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity monitoring and mitigation against threats.
Students participating in the Space Cybersecurity Training Course 2025 will be evaluated based on their group work throughout the week and the final presentation. Upon completion of the training course students will receive a certificate of participation and a course transcript, allowing them to request ECTS credit(s) from their respective universities.
Preliminary schedule
| Day 1 |
Welcome and Introduction Security Primer Introduction to Cyber-Security Cyber-Security for the Space Domain Group Project Introduction |
| Day 2 |
Cyber-Security Risk Management for Space Systems Meet the Adversary Introduction to Security Architecture and Design Group Project Work |
| Day 3 |
Adversaries Tactics, Techniques, and Mitigations for Space A 101-Introduction to Applied Cryptography CCSDS Space Protocols Security on CCSDS Hands-On Exercises on the Security of Space Communication Protocols Group Project Work |
| Day 4 |
RF Communications Introduction RF Communications Applied to Space Systems RF Attacks and Jamming to Space Systems and Mitigations RF Technologies and Software Defined Radio Hands-On Exercises on Software Defined Radio Group Project Work |
| Day 5 |
Visit of the ESEC-Redu site SCCoE Tour and Demonstration CSOC Tour and Demonstration Group Projects Presentations |
Who can apply?
To participate, students must fulfil the following criteria at the time of application:
- 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, Canada*, Latvia, Lithuania, or Slovakia;
- be enrolled as a BSc or MSc student in a university for the academic year 2024-25 (even if graduating before the training course);
- be studying engineering (with a basic knowledge of computer science and digital communication systems), or computer science and digital communication systems (with a minimum engineering knowledge), or business (with an engineering or computer science background);
- have a clear interest in the management and implementation aspects of space projects.
* 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 course delivery and account creation 3 weeks before the deadline). This additional support is to cover costs that are not already covered by ESA for selected Canadian post-secondary students.
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.
How to apply?
- Fill in the application form;
- Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no image);
- Upload a CV (Europass format, PDF, 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).
The deadline for applications to participate in the Space Cybersecurity Training Course 2025 is 23 March 2025 23:59 CET.
The selection announcement will be on 21 April 2025.
For more information, please contact academy.training@esa.int.