Intern, Rarefied Plume Modelling & CFD for Spaceflight

ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 10,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA’s ESTEC in Noordwijk hosts an internship in the Mechanical Department, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Section. You will analyse rarefied thruster plumes, develop numerical models, and compare predictions with EPL test data to improve understanding of plume behaviour.

We expect a Master’s student in engineering/physics, with knowledge of Fortran or C++, DSMC or PIC, and a willingness to work in a multinational team in English.

Qualifications

• University student enrolled for the entire duration of the internship.
• Strong programming in Fortran or C++ is advantageous.
• Knowledge of numerical modelling and plasma-related concepts is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Analyse experimental measurements of rarefied thruster plumes in a vacuum test facility.
• Develop and/or improve numerical models to simulate plume expansion.
• Investigate vacuity facility boundaries and test conditions on plume behaviour.
• Compare numerical predictions with experimental data and assess modelling approaches.
• Explore simple system-level models to understand operating condition effects.

Skills

Fortran

C++

Numerical modelling

Plasma physics

Education

Master's student (engineering/physics)

Tools

DSMC

PIC

Job description

ESA’s ESTEC in Noordwijk hosts an internship in the Mechanical Department, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Section. You will analyse rarefied thruster plumes, develop numerical models, and compare predictions with EPL test data to improve understanding of plume behaviour.

We expect a Master’s student in engineering/physics, with knowledge of Fortran or C++, DSMC or PIC, and a willingness to work in a multinational team in English.