Intern in the LUNA Analog Facility Team

Location

EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany

Our team and mission

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (D/HRE) is the main ESA entity in charge of supporting and coordinating efforts towards the current and the future endeavours of human spaceflight. The exploration activities are part of the strategic plans in securing a central role for Europe with respect to the global initiatives. The strategy includes three destinations where humans will work with robots to gather new knowledge: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Moon, and Mars.

The “Spaceship EAC” initiative is investigating low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies for supporting the future cislunar space mission as well as surface activities on the Moon as part of the Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team. This multidisciplinary, innovation-driven team composed of researchers, graduate and undergraduate students is based at the ESA European Astronaut Centre (EAC). The mission statement of “Spaceship EAC” is centred on three main pillars: enhance, enable and inspire.

The Spaceship team is involved in supporting the development of our new LUNA Analog Facility at EAC. This facility will serve as a central hub for lunar exploration preparations at ESA and DLR. It features a 700 sqm lunar surface testbed, facilitating the development and validation of operational concepts, astronaut training, and technology demonstrations for Moon exploration. Additionally, the facility will showcase elements of an analogue Moon base, such as a habitat/laboratory module, and a closed-loop plant growth facility.

We are continually looking for innovative applicants with skills or interests in these areas to join the Spaceship EAC team. An outline of some of the projects that we have recently been progressing can be found at the ESA blog.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You will support ESA’s effort to evolve and to utilise the LUNA Analog Facility together with DLR as project partner.

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• ​Background and Motivation

​The LUNA Analog Facility is the central hub for the preparation, validation and training for lunar surface activities and technologies. While focusing on operational concepts and mission simulations, it also allows for substantial technology testing, scientific investigations, optimisation of operational protocols and procedures, and much more.

​The LUNA facility has been inaugurated in September 2024 and is being used for various research and simulation activities of ESA, DLR and external partners. Those include suited activities with suit simulators and dedicated EVA tools, as well as robotic activities concerning mobility, imaging, localisation and communications. At the same time that utilisation is ramping up, the facility is still being evolved with additional capabilities to further enhance and increase the immersion and simulation quality.

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• ​Objectives

​This internship project aims to support ESA’s evolution and utilisation of the LUNA Analog Facility by:

• ​supporting the development and integration of new capabilities through the element engineering process from requirements engineering to system design, manufacturing, testing and verification, commissioning and operations;
• ​supporting the operations and utilisation of LUNA in campaign activities with internal and external partners.

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• ​Methodology and Tasks

​The internship will integrate into the existing Spaceship EAC/LUNA team at ESA and – based on interest and needs – support one or multiple of the development and utilisation activities below. Additional topics may also be identified throughout the internship period.

• ​refinement of the concept of operations of LUNA and its application for campaign utilisation;
• ​habitation systems development and their integration into mission simulations;
• ​analogue space suit evolution and operations, incl. tools development;
• ​robotic or autonomous systems developments to support LUNA utilisation;
• ​dust monitoring and mitigation strategies for LUNA operations and future Moon missions;
• ​integration of research and technologies related to in-situ resource utilisation with LUNA.

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​4. Expected Outcomes

​Based on the actual task assignments, the outcomes of the internship will include contributions to the LUNA operations and utilisation documentation as well as procedures and training manuals. You will be directly involved in the LUNA operations, work with actual hardware and interface with scientific investigations in LUNA which could lead to production or contributions to publications and conference presentations.

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​5. Relevance

​As ESA, NASA, and international partners plan sustainable human presence on the Moon, LUNA will be instrumental to prepare and bring together European expertise for lunar science, technology development, astronaut and operator training, and lunar mission operations.

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.

Knowledge and background in analogue activities, operations and hardware testing is an asset.

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 ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int .

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.