Intern in the Space Safety Programme - Mission Implementation Division (Clear Space 1)

ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA's Space Safety Department in ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands, invites university students for an internship in the Space Safety Programme, Mission Implementation Division. The role focuses on active debris removal and in-orbit servicing, contributing to the Clear Space-1 mission and related design activities.

You will work in a dynamic, international environment, supporting spacecraft design, interfaces analysis, documentation reviews, and cross-disciplinary collaboration while learning

Qualifications

• Must be a university student, preferably in final or second-to-last year of Master’s studies.
• Background in space systems engineering is an asset, but enthusiasm to learn is equally important.

Responsibilities

• Support system engineering activities for spacecraft detailed design and preparation of verification.
• Analyze requirements implementation and interfaces; review technical documentation and follow design trade-offs.
• Coordinate inputs across engineering disciplines and help organise project reviews.

Skills

Space systems engineering

Curiosity about debris removal

Team collaboration

Education

Master's level student

Job description

• Intern in the Space Safety Programme - Mission Implementation Division (Clear Space 1)
• ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
• Type of Appointment: Intern

Our team and mission

The ESA Space Safety Department takes care of all potential hazards and threats from space or in space, which can impact human activities, infrastructure, or related applications. The spectrum of tasks ranges from gathering the basic understanding of space hazards originating from our Sun, from human space debris, or from asteroids potentially colliding with the Earth. It also addresses basic approaches to mitigate these hazards and to implement space systems end-to-end in a sustainable and eco-compatible way. Moreover, several corner stone missions are underway to demonstrate basic methods of space weather forecasting, asteroid deflection and active space debris removal from orbit.

In execution of these tasks, the Space Safety Department has the following entities:

• Mission Implementation Division (OPS-SM);
• COSMIC Project Management Office (OPS-SC);
• Space Weather Office (OPS-SW);
• Planetary Defence Office (OPS-SP);
• Space Debris Office (OPS-SD);
• Clean Space & Circular Economy Office (OPS-SY);
• Frequency Management Office (OPS-SF);
• Programme Coordination Office (OPS-SX).

Within the Space Safety Missions Implementation Division, you will operate in a dynamic, international environment where new mission concepts become real spacecraft and you will contribute to missions in their detailed design, development, integration and operational preparation phases (Phase B2/C/D). The focus is on active debris removal and in-orbit servicing—two fast-growing fields that are redefining how spacecraft are maintained and how crowded orbits are managed.

These missions develop and demonstrate technologies for rendezvous, inspection, capture, life extension, relocation, de-orbiting and repair. You will collaborate with experienced ESA specialists and innovative European companies, gaining a close-up view of both cutting-edge engineering and the emerging commercial market for sustainable space services.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

ClearSpace-1: Contribute to the first mission designed to capture and remove an unprepared, non-cooperative ESA space object from low Earth orbit. The mission must operate in challenging dynamic and lighting conditions and will demonstrate Europe’s commitment to taking responsibility for the space environment.

As a member of one of the two above project teams, you will support system engineering activities for the spacecraft detailed design and preparation of its verification. Depending on the project’s needs and your interests, you may help analyse requirements implementation and interfaces, review technical documentation, follow detailed design trade-offs, help organise project reviews, and coordinate inputs across engineering disciplines.

Throughout the internship, you will learn how a complex space mission is developed end to end, how systems engineers turn mission goals into coherent technical solutions, and how multidisciplinary teams make decisions under real programme constraints. You will strengthen your ability to communicate technical information clearly, work collaboratively and apply system thinking to an operational space project.

This is an opportunity to make a visible contribution to a real mission while learning from experts at the forefront of sustainable spaceflight.

Behavioural competencies

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

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.

You will thrive in this internship if you are curious about debris removal and in-orbit servicing, enjoy working with others and are ready to take initiative.

We welcome students who are eager to learn, ask thoughtful questions and contribute ideas.

A background in space systems engineering would be an asset, but enthusiasm for complex space missions and a strong willingness to learn are equally important.

Due to the nature of the post, a commitment of six months is preferred, depending on the candidate’s availability.

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

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.