Intern in the Systems Department - Development of PVT Algorithms for Lunar Users

EU Satellite Centre (SatCen); Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency's Moonlight internship at ESTEC, Noordwijk, focuses on advanced lunar navigation algorithms to estimate Position, Velocity, and Time using a single navigation satellite. You will develop, test, and validate PVT techniques in a lunar environment, contributing to early deployment scenarios.

You should be a university student with MATLAB/Python skills, fluent in English or French, and prepared to work throughout the internship with enthusiasm and curiosity about GNSS in space.

Qualifications

• Must be a university student, preferably in final or second-to-last year of Master’s program.
• Enrollment for the entire duration of the internship.
• Working languages are English and French; knowledge of another ESA language is an asset.

Responsibilities

• conduct research and develop innovative algorithms for Position, Velocity and Time estimation in the lunar environment using a single Moonlight navigation satellite;
• develop, implement and validate the PVT algorithm(s) through simulation and performance assessment activities;
• perform sensitivity analyses to assess impacts of key error sources (ODTS and receiver clock errors);
• investigate additional lunar environment data sources such as DEMs and ESA Pathfinder signals to improve navigation performance;
• evaluate algorithm performance under different lunar deployment scenarios, including the initial Moonlight phase when only one satellite is available.

Skills

Research skills

Algorithm design

GNSS knowledge

Education

Master's student

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The End-To-End Systems Engineering Division (TEC-SE) is responsible for supporting projects for the Engineering of E2E systems, the associated security aspects, E2E systems integration/verification activities (SIV), and service preparation. To serve these functions, the Head of the End-To-End Systems Engineering Division defines and executes the associated technology developments and studies, as well as the verification and validation laboratory facilities, and supports the preparation of the relevant engineering standards.

The E2E Systems Division consists of five sections and associated laboratory facilities:

• Navigation Systems Definition Section;
• Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section;
• Systems Security Engineering Section;
• Telecommunication Systems and Techniques Section;
• E2E System Comms Section.

The role will be within the Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section, which provides expert advice and engineering support to ESA projects, programmes, and studies in the fields of radio navigation and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

Moonlight is one of ESA's ongoing programmes, under which a Lunar Communications and Navigation System (LCNS) constellation is being developed to provide communication and navigation services for lunar environment.

The role includes advanced lunar navigation algorithms development capable of estimating a user's Position, Velocity, and Time (PVT) using measurements from a single navigation satellite orbiting the Moon. The resulting capability will support the provision of navigation services during the initial deployment phase of the Moonlight system, when only a single navigation satellite may be available before the full constellation is established.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Advanced lunar navigation algorithms development capable of estimating PVT using measurements from a single navigation satellite orbiting the Moon.

Your tasks will include:

• conducting research and developing innovative algorithm(s) for Position, Velocity and Time (PVT) estimation in the lunar environment using measurements (i.e. doppler and code) from a single Moonlight navigation satellite;
• developing, implementing and validating the PVT algorithm(s) through simulation and performance assessment activities;
• performing sensitivity analyses to assess the impact of key error sources, including satellite orbit determination and timing synchronisation (ODTS) and receiver clock errors;
• investigating and analysing the use of additional information sources available in the lunar environment, such as Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and communication signals from the ESA Pathfinder satellite, to enhance navigation performance;
• evaluating the algorithm performance under different lunar operational scenarios, including the initial Moonlight deployment phase when only a single navigation satellite may be available.

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.

You should also have:

• good knowledge of MATLAB, Python or other related programming languages;
• familiarity with Satellite based navigation concepts such as Earth GNSS.

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.