Space Systems Intern: Constellation Mission Analysis Tool

European Space Agency; Nederland; Hybrid; EUR 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency (ESA) in Noordwijk, NL, offers an internship in the Future Missions & Architecture Department. You will develop a mission‑analysis tool to assess deployment and replenishment strategies for Earth Observation constellations, modelling lifecycle, launches and replacements, while leveraging Python and simulation techniques.

You must be a Master’s student and able to enrol for the full duration of the internship; strong analytical and mathematical skills are required, with

Qualifications

• Must be a university student, preferably in final or second-to-last year of Master’s level.
• Must be enrolled at the university for the entire duration of the internship.
• Good knowledge of English or French; knowledge of another ESA language is a plus.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Mission analysis

Systems engineering

Education

Master's student in a STEM field

Tools

Python programming

Monte Carlo simulations

Job description

European Space Agency (ESA) in Noordwijk, NL, offers an internship in the Future Missions & Architecture Department. You will develop a mission‑analysis tool to assess deployment and replenishment strategies for Earth Observation constellations, modelling lifecycle, launches and replacements, while leveraging Python and simulation techniques.

You must be a Master’s student and able to enrol for the full duration of the internship; strong analytical and mathematical skills are required, with