Intern in the EnVision Project Team

Internship Opportunity in the Directorate of Science.

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

Location Noordwijk

Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) - Noordwijk, Netherlands

The EnVision mission is ESA’s next polar orbiting satellite mission to Venus, planned for launch in 2031. The mission hosts 5 instruments and a radio science experiment using the satellite communication system, and will observe the planet for at least 4 Earth years.

For further information visit our web site: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic: Optimization of EnVision observation strategy

In order to achieve the required observation coverage by all instruments during the in-orbit operations, and to cope with various constraints from the spacecraft, a detailed long-term observation strategy has been developed and partially derived into a simplified reference observation scenario with a set of planning tools, considering the data downlink as main constraint. In the coming phases, the strategy needs to be further enriched to include constraints not yet factored in in the current approach.

Reporting to the EnVision Mission Systems Engineer and Performance Lead, you will contribute to the further development and refinement of the EnVision observation planning strategy, considering constraints coming from Spacecraft design, the Orbit evolution, and operational constraints.

• Optimization under multiple constraints of the observation strategy. Constraints will include : incidence repeatability angle constraints across Venus cycles, data downlink capacity, thermal constraints leading to seasonal preference for SC orientation, incidence angle requirements for each observation mode,
• Automatizing the selection of regional bands of observation, to help the science team deciding on the areas of interest to be observed at the surface of Venus
• Providing coverage maps and plots allowing to verify the science performance of the mission

  Behavioural competencies

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

  Education

  You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your final or second to last year of a university course at master’s level in a technical or scientific discipline.

  Additional requirements

  The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

  Additional Requirements:

  • Education in Space Systems
  • Knowledge of Excel and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros
  • Proficiency in Python or equivalent
  • Knowledge in remote sensing would be an asset

    Other information

    For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

    If you require support with your application due to a disability, please email contact.human.resources@esa.int.

    Internships can take place remotely, on-site or partially on-site depending on the pandemic situation, and in line with the relevant Establishment’s policy (e.g. possible Green Pass requirement) applicable at the time of starting the internship.

    Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).