Intern in the Space Safety Programme, Space Debris Office

Intern in the Space Safety Programme, Space Debris Office

Job Requisition ID: 20052

Date Posted: 1 November 2025

Closing Date: 30 November :59 CET/CEST

Publication: External Only

Type of Contract: Intern

Directorate: Operations

Workplace:Darmstadt, DENoordwijk, NL

Location

ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The ESA Space Safety Programme Office takes care of all potential hazards from space or in space, which can impact human activities on Earth or again in space. The spectrum of tasks ranges from gathering the basic understanding of space hazards originating from our Sun, from man-made space debris, or from asteroids potentially colliding with the Earth. It also addresses basic approaches to mitigate these hazards and to implement space systems end-to-end in a sustainable and eco-compatible way. Moreover, several corner stone missions are underway to demonstrate basic methods of space weather forecasting, asteroid deflection and active space debris removal from orbit.

In execution of these tasks, the Space Safety Office has the following entities:

• Space Weather Office (OPS-SW).
• Planetary Defence Office (OPS-SP).
• Space Debris Office (OPS-SD).
• Clean Space Office (OPS-SC).
• Frequency Management Office (OPS-SF).

The Space Debris Office constitutes the focal point for ESA space debris activities and is responsible for coordinating the Agency's space debris research activities, for all space debris related operational and analysis services in support of ESA missions, and for ESA's cooperation on space debris issues at inter-agency level. Its work is centred around a wide range of operational and scientific analysis software, developed, maintained and operated under its control. Through the provision of domain expertise, the office is deeply involved in implementing the Agency's zero debris approach, and technology development through ESA's Space Safety Programme, as well as the technology development programmes.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website:

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship : Space Debris Mitigation – Models and Technologies to support the Zero Debris Approach and operational needs

You will be involved in activities supporting the implementation and further development of ESA's Zero Debris Approach, which is aligned with the Zero Debris Charter. More specifically, you will be supporting analyses on the status and future evolution of the space debris environment and work with ongoing and future satellite missions. In addition, you will be assigned to topics in the areas of analysis of mitigation and remediation techniques, evaluation of new concepts and the development and application of the necessary means to verify and qualify such concepts, as well as addressing operational needs through technologies for automated collision avoidance.

Your work will support the ongoing analysis and implementation of improvements to ESA's reporting on compliance with Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and Policies, and support the development of tools for environment impact assessment. The project will let the intern to work on improvements to ESA's collision avoidance process in view of growing orbital population, better situation knowledge and extended data sources, as well as emerging automation needs, e.g., under the related cornerstone of the Space Safety Programme.

Last but not least, you will support the definition of study work in that field and contribute to the technical follow-up of such studies, attend regular team meetings and support the coordination of activities within a group of experts. You are required to contribute to further developing the Office's analysis tools. In general, the close team is smal but you will have the opportunity to actively contribute to on-going projects and research activities, evolution of tools, and present results to the internal and also international community.

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 studying 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.

Good knowledge and background in engineering modelling, data science, simulation and mathematics as well as previous demonstrated experience with scientific computing in Python 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

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

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, 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. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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