Intern in the Flight Dynamics Division - Science Mission Support Section

European Space Agency - ESA; Darmstadt; On-site; EUR 8,900 - 13,000; Part time

Job summary

ESA in Darmstadt, Germany invites an internship in the Flight Dynamics Division. You will work on retrieving plasma data and developing methods to model interplanetary plasma effects on deep-space orbit determination.

The role includes implementing data-processing and nowcasting tools and exploring potential operationalization of the methodology. The position requires active enrollment in a Master's program and the ability to remain enrolled for the internship duration, with good knowledge of

Qualifications

• Must be a university student, preferably in final or second-to-last year of a Master's program.
• Must be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship.

Responsibilities

• Retrieve and extract interplanetary plasma data from ESA Space Weather products.
• Implement functionality to compute total plasma content along the line-of-sight using in-house software.
• Derive plasma delays for Doppler and range data based on the signal path.
• Apply the mechanism on historic data to reproduce and verify the methodology.
• Produce predictions of plasma effects on radiometric data from current Space Weather data.
• Configure near-realtime nowcasting to flag current tracking data for plasma impact in routine orbit determination.
• Extend method to an operational tool for orbit determination if proven successful.

Skills

Plasma data analysis

Data retrieval

Astrodynamics basics

Education

Master's student (enrolled)

Tools

In-house astrodynamics software

Job description

Intern in the Flight Dynamics Division - Science Mission Support Section

Job Requisition ID: 21146

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

Closing Date: 30 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more):

Directorate: Operations

Workplace: Darmstadt, DE

Location: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Our team and mission

The Science Mission Support Section is responsible for:

• Mission preparation, LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase), critical and routine operations in the field of flight dynamics for future interplanetary and Lagrange missions, including Plato, Rosalind Franklin, Ramses, Comet Interceptor, Ariel, Envision, Argonaut and LISA;
• critical and routine flight dynamics operations for inner solar system missions Bepi-Colombo and Solar-Orbiter;
• critical and routine flight dynamics operations for Juice, the Jupiter moons mission;
• critical and routine flight dynamics operations for the Hera asteroid mission;
• routine operations for Mars missions ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and Mars Express;
• routine operations for the Euclid observatory mission;
• development, validation and utilisation of operational solutions for the above science missions.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Tracking of interplanetary spacecraft suffer from plasma effects along the signal’s line of sight. The effect is larger the closer the signal gets to the Sun. There has been a significant evolution in the recent decade by ESA and other external entities to model the interplanetary plasma distribution in quasi real-time based on data from space weather observatories.

You will exploit this data and verify whether these can be suitably used to improve deep-space orbit determination of ESA spacecraft.

The following will be your tasks for this activity:

• Retrieve and extract relevant interplanetary plasma data from ESA Space Weather products;
• implement functionality to compute total plasma content along the line-of-sight from ground station to an ESA interplanetary spacecraft, making use of in-house astrodynamics software;
• derive plasma delays for Doppler and range data based on the physical interaction along the signal path;
• apply the mechanism on historic data trying to reproduce and verify the methodology;
• produce predictions of plasma effects on radiometric data based on current Space Weather data;
• configure a near-realtime nowcasting functionality to flag current tracking data of deep-space missions for impact of interplanetary plasma effects in the routine orbit determination;
• if the method is proven to be successful, extend it to an operational tool for orbit determination to compute interplanetary plasma corrections.

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional Requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [e-mail].

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

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