Zusammenfassung

Die Europäische Weltraumorganisation (ESA) in Wahn sucht einen motivierten Praktikanten (m/w/d) zur Unterstützung der Exploration Technologies for Human Spaceflight, insbesondere im Bereich der LUNA-Anlagen. Der Praktikant wird in das Spaceship EAC/LUNA-Team integriert und unterstützt bei der Weiterentwicklung und Nutzung der LUNA-Analoganlage. Dies beinhaltet die Entwicklung neuer Fähigkeiten, die Erstellung von Betriebskonzepten und die Unterstützung von Kampagnenaktivitäten. Die Stelle bietet die Möglichkeit, an zukunftsweisenden Projekten im Bereich der Raumfahrt mitzuwirken und wertvolle Erfahrungen zu sammeln.

Stellenausschreibung

Intern in the Exploration Technologies for Human Spaceflight, LUNA Utilisation

Job Requisition ID: 19628

Date Posted: 13 June 2025

Closing Date: 11 July 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: External Only

Type of Contract: Intern

Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration

Workplace: Porz-Wahn, DE

Location

EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany

Our team and mission

Join the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (D/HRE), ESA's core team driving human spaceflight initiatives! Be part of strategic plans that solidify Europe's pivotal role in global exploration. The European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P) integrates all ESA activities, focusing on Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Moon, and Mars.

The “Spaceship EAC” initiative pioneers low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies for future cislunar missions and lunar surface activities. Based at the ESA European Astronaut Centre (EAC), this multidisciplinary team of researchers and students enhances EAC capabilities by developing operational concepts and technologies for lunar exploration. Our mission focuses on enhancing, enabling, and inspiring, disseminating knowledge within ESA, partners, and the scientific community.

Within Spaceship EAC, contribute to diverse projects including:

Demonstrating Virtual/Augmented Reality and collaborative robotics for exploration.
Investigating Space Resources/In-Situ Resource Utilisation for sustainable human exploration.
Using additive manufacturing for projects within the centre and for space exploration.
Developing medical technologies using machine learning for long-term exploration.
Exploring ‘off-world living’ concepts, including human factors and design.
Advancing Crew Health and Performance Technologies.

Support the development of our new LUNA facility at EAC, a central hub for lunar exploration preparations at ESA and DLR. This facility features a 700 sqm lunar surface testbed for operational concept development, astronaut training, and technology demonstrations. The facility will also showcase elements of an analogue Moon base, such as a habitat/laboratory module, and a regenerative energy system.

We seek innovative applicants with skills or interests in these areas to join the Spaceship EAC team. Explore recent projects on the ESA blog.

For more information on Spaceship EAC internships

please look at the Spaceship EAC blog (Spaceship EAC – ESA –Exploration).

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Spaceship EAC/LUNA Utilisation: LUNA facility evolution and utilisation

Support ESA’s efforts to evolve and utilize the LUNA analog facility with DLR as a project partner.

1. Background and Motivation

The LUNA analog facility is key for preparing, validating, and training for lunar surface activities and technologies. It focuses on operational concepts and mission simulations, enabling technology testing, scientific investigations, and optimization of operational protocols.

Inaugurated in September 2024, LUNA is used for research and simulation activities by ESA, DLR, and partners. These include suited activities with suit simulators and EVA tools, as well as robotic activities concerning mobility, imaging, and communications. The facility is continuously enhanced with additional capabilities to improve immersion and simulation quality.

2. Objectives
This internship supports ESA’s evolution and utilization of the LUNA analog facility by:

Supporting the development and integration of new capabilities through the element engineering process, from requirements to operations.
Supporting the concept of operations development for LUNA and its application in campaign activities.

3. Methodology and Tasks
Integrate into the Spaceship EAC/LUNA team at ESA and support development and utilization activities based on interest and needs.

Develop the concept of operations for the LUNA facility.
Support habitation systems development and integration into mission simulations.
Advance analog space suit evolution and operations, including tool development.
Provide engineering and test support for LUNA elements like gravity offloading and sun simulation.
Contribute to dust monitoring and mitigation strategies for LUNA operations.
Integrate research and technologies related to in-situ resource utilization with LUNA.

4. Expected Outcomes
Contribute to LUNA operations and utilization documentation, procedures, and training manuals. Be directly involved in LUNA operations, hardware work, and scientific investigations, potentially leading to publications and conference presentations.

5. Relevance
As ESA, NASA, and partners plan a sustainable human presence on the Moon, LUNA will be instrumental in preparing European expertise for lunar science, technology, astronaut training, and 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 a university course at Master’s level and you need to remain enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

Fluency in English or French is required. Knowledge of another Member State language is an asset.

Knowledge in aerospace engineering, analog operations, geosciences, and materials is advantageous.

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

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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.