From boards to orbits: student teams strengthen soldering skills at ESTEC
On the 19th and 20th of May, eight students from four different student teams gathered at ESTEC to take part in a Soldering Course organised as part of the Fly Your Satellite! programme, delivered by ESA experts from the Engineering Services Section. This collaboration showcases how technical knowledge is effectively transferred from ESA professionals to the next generation of space engineers, supporting both education and mission preparation.
All participating students are members of teams currently involved in the fourth cycle of the programme:
Over the course of two intensive days, the students took part in a hands-on soldering training designed to support the educational objectives of the programme, giving them the opportunity to learn about good practices and apply their skills on real hardware. By improving their technical capabilities, the course also aimed to enhance the quality of in-house developed hardware and, in turn, increase the chances of mission success.
The course focused on the soldering of components on dedicated boards, helping students improve their proficiency while receiving direct feedback from the trainer. As part of the training, the topic of harness design and assembly was also addressed, giving participants the chance to engage in in-depth discussions with an expert.
Finally, the students had the opportunity to present and discuss their own missions with the trainer, receiving valuable feedback, practical tips, and suggestions for improvement.
The training not only strengthened the students’ hands-on technical skills but also fostered valuable exchanges with ESA experts, reinforcing the collaborative and educational spirit of the Fly Your Satellite! programme.
If you are interested in learning more about opportunities like Fly Your Satellite! you can check out the ESA Academy current opportunities website to find out more.