Earth Observation Mission Analysis Intern

European Space Agency; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency in Noordwijk, NL, is offering an internship in the Future Missions and Architecture Department to develop a mission‑analysis tool for Earth Observation constellation deployment and replenishment. You will work in a multidisciplinary team on mission analysis, systems engineering, and software development.

The role focuses on lifecycle modelling, optimization, and simulation to support planning of future Earth Observation missions and services.

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of orbital mechanics and space mission analysis.
• Experience with Python programming.
• Ability to analyse engineering problems using mathematical models and simulations.
• Familiarity with software development practices is an asset.
• Familiarity with optimisation techniques applied to engineering problems is an asset.
• Familiarity with engineering trade‑off analysis and design space exploration is an asset.
• Familiarity with numerical methods and scientific computing applied to engineering problems is an asset.
• Familiarity with deployment, operations or lifecycle analysis of satellite systems is an asset.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis and Monte Carlo simulation techniques is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop lifecycle simulation models for constellation deployment, operations and replenishment.
• Develop algorithms to model constellation performance as satellites are launched, commissioned, fail or are replaced.
• Develop optimisation methods to identify efficient deployment and replenishment strategies.
• Model launch preparation, commissioning times, spare satellite management and replacement policies.
• Estimate launch cadence needed to achieve and maintain performance objectives.
• Implement methodologies within a mission‑analysis software tool.
• Verify and validate the tool using representative Earth Observation mission scenarios.
• Document design, methodology and results of the tool.

Skills

Python programming

Orbital mechanics

Space mission analysis

Optimization techniques

Monte Carlo simulation

Numerical methods

Statistical analysis

Engineering trade-off analysis

Education

Master's student

Job description

European Space Agency in Noordwijk, NL, is offering an internship in the Future Missions and Architecture Department to develop a mission‑analysis tool for Earth Observation constellation deployment and replenishment. You will work in a multidisciplinary team on mission analysis, systems engineering, and software development.

The role focuses on lifecycle modelling, optimization, and simulation to support planning of future Earth Observation missions and services.