Student applications now open for ESA Academy’s first ever Robotics Workshop!
In brief
ESA Academy are proud to announce that eligible university students may now apply for the first ever Robotics Workshop, to be held from 17 to 20 January 2023 at the ESA Education Training Centre, ESEC-Galaxia, Transinne, Belgium. This Workshop has been developed by ESA’s Education Office together with experts from the ESA Planetary Robotics Lab.
In-depth
Workshop description
Planetary exploration is a fascinating sector that ESA is investing heavily in, with projects including the pioneering Rosetta mission to a comet, the ambitious Artemis mission to the Moon (constructing the European Service Module), and the cutting-edge Rosalind Franklin rover destined for Mars.
The present and future missions of Mars exploration are the inspiration behind the Robotics Workshop. Over four days, participating students will delve into the design and operation of a 3D printed robot based on the European rover that will be sent to investigate the surface of the red planet.
Particular attention will be given to software including the ROS2 (Robot Operating System) framework. Students will study the locomotion system, developing algorithms that will allow the robot to move. Finally, Machine Learning will be applied to grant the capability of recognising specific objects on the surface of Mars.
Upon completion of the Workshop, students will be evaluated via a group project, and will receive a certificate of participation and course transcript, allowing them to request ECTS credit(s) from their respective universities.
Preliminary schedule
| Day 1 |
Introduction ESA Planetary Exploration Coding Tools Familiarisation Rover Basic Set-Up |
| Day 2 |
Robotic Mission for Mars Robot Operating System (ROS) Simulation Rover Locomotion System |
| Day 3 |
AI and Object Detection AI for Robotic Applications |
| Day 4 |
Mars Mission Operation Final Project |
Who can apply?
Applications are open to students enrolled in university who 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, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia;
- be enrolled as a Bachelor student (second year or above) or as an Integrated Master student (from second to third year inclusive) in a university for the academic year 2022-2023; final year students of academic year 2021-2022 can apply if they do not graduate before the training session;
- study an engineering or science subject;
- basic knowledge in Python programming.
The selected students will be sponsored by ESA to cover accommodation and meals, as well as up to 300 Euros for travelling to Belgium.
How to apply?
- Fill in the application form;
- 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 tlp@esa.int before the application deadline);
- Upload a copy of your academic records (PDF).
All answers and documents should be in English (except academic records if not available).
The deadline for applications is 5 September 2022 23:59 CEST.
