ESA Academy’s Robotics Workshops 2025: two workshops this year — double the opportunity to apply!
In brief
ESA Academy is announcing that university students can now apply for the two Robotics Workshops that will happen in 2025.
They will be held from 20 to 23 May, and from 22 to 25 July 2025, at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, The Netherlands.
Developed by ESA’s Education Office in collaboration with experts from the ESA Robotics Section, these workshops offer a unique opportunity to learn about space robotics.
In-depth
Workshop description
Space robotics is a fascinating field where ESA continues to make substantial investments. Noteworthy initiatives include the groundbreaking Rosetta mission to a comet, the ambitious Artemis programme to the Moon, the unique European Robotic Arm (ERA), and the cutting-edge Rosalind Franklin rover destined for Mars.
Inspired by ongoing and future Mars exploration missions, the Robotics Workshop offers students an immersive experience in developing and operating the ExoMy rover—a 3D-printed robot modelled after ESA's European Mars rover. Over four days, participants will dive into software development using the ROS™ 2 framework (Robot Operating System) in Python, explore the rover's locomotion system, and create algorithms to enable its various movement modes. Furthermore, students will leverage Machine Learning techniques to equip the rover with the ability to recognize specific objects on the Martian surface.
This workshop requires basic knowledge in computer programming, particularly in Python, but interested and motivated students lacking those skills are also welcome to join. Working in groups will enable students from various fields to help each other in achieving a common goal: understanding the challenges of moving a rover on a difficult terrain and finding innovative solutions to overcome problems.
Upon completing the training materials, students will be presented with a creative group challenge: finding and approaching an object on the – simulated – surface of Mars. They will receive a certificate of participation along with a course transcript. This will enable them to request ECTS credits from their respective universities.
Preliminary schedule
| Day 1 |
Introduction ESA Planetary Exploration Coding Tools Familiarisation Rover Basic Set-Up Robot Operating System (ROS) introduction |
| Day 2 |
Robot Operating System (ROS) exercises Robotic Mission for Mars Introduction to Simulation Rover Locomotion System |
| Day 3 |
AI and Object Detection AI for Robotic Applications Mars Mission Operations |
| Day 4 | Final Project |
Who can apply?
Applications are open to students for both workshops!
Students need to fulfil the following criteria:
- aged minimum 18 years old;
- have no or limited professional experience in relevant scientific, engineering, or other space-related topics;
- be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Canada*, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia ;
- be enrolled as a Bachelor student (2nd year or higher), or as an Integrated Master student (2nd or 3rd year) in a university for the academic year 2024-2025 (even if graduating before July);
- study an engineering or science subject;
- have basic knowledge in Python programming (you will be assessed during the application process).
While completing the application form, availabilities and preferences for the two workshops will be asked. Since the workshops are identical, each student may only attend one of them.
Selected students will be required to attend the entire 4-day workshop. They will be sponsored by ESA to cover accommodation and meals, as well as up to 350 Euros for travelling to The Netherlands.
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 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.
How to apply?
- Fill in the application form only one form for both workshops);
- Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no images);
- Upload a CV (PDF, Europass format, maximum 2 pages, no images);
- 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 has been extended to 11 March 2025 23:59 CET. There will be no separate call for the second workshop!
The selection announcement will be on 24 March 2025, for both workshops.
For more information, please contact academy.training@esa.int