Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) – Darmstadt, Germany

Under the direct authority of Mission Operations Department, the Solar System and Exploration Missions Division is responsible for the ground segment and mission operations implementation for the ESA scientific missions that travel in interplanetary space and for all the exploration missions.

Mars Express and Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) are Europe’s flying presence at Mars. Working alone or together with other spacecraft and landers, these missions have returned a wealth of science and fostered worldwide scientific collaborations.

The two very different missions have evolved separately and created novel ways of operating at Mars. The goal is to seek commonality and harmonise the missions in a way which is constructive and effective for all, while also reflecting the different needs of both missions.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose between the following topics:

1) Topic 1: Automation and Optimisation of operational tools across the Mars Missions

Aspects of control room operations do still require more than necessary manual interactions and input. This leads to the possibility of human error creeping. Other processes are manually intensive and laborious. As an intern, you will spend time with the engineers, gaining insights and of experience how ESA flies spacecraft at Mars. They will learn the nuances of the different missions and create common tools for harmonised operations, at Mars.

You will create a suite of tools to aid control room activities, automating as much as possible to reduce engineer workload and potential human error. These python tools shall perform checks of planning products, telemetry, etc and provide reports based on multiple source context data, amalgamation, and analysis. The tools shall be python based, with both a backend and a user interface. They shall be written in such a way that non-expert python users can maintain them.

Examples:

• Spacecraft Events & Out Of Limit (OOL) analysis with context data reporting tool (E.g. filtering out events and OOL for predicted star tracker blinding)
• Commanding products (POF) checker improvements
• Science and Relay file consistency checker (PDHU Monitoring tool) refinements.

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2) Topic 2: Offline Python Scripts Tools, Development and Alignment for the Mars Missions

The longevity of these mission has led to a number of offline bespoke scripts developed by different engineers at different times, all in different states of functionality. As the two Mars mission will work more closely together harmonisation of scripts or creation of new harmonised scripts is necessary. As an intern, you will work closely with the Flight Control Teams operating spacecraft at Mars, gaining understanding of interplanetary spacecraft operations and the FCT’s needs.

In dialogue with the FCTs, you will evaluate and refine existing scripts which can be harmonised across the Mars missions. You shall also create new web-based tools, both the backend and user interface. The new tools shall perform reporting, monitoring, gap checking and data visualisations to support operations.,Automation of tools shall be possible, and all tools shall be rigorously tested before implementation for Mars missions. The tools shall be easy to maintain by engineers who know some python but are not expert coders. Flexibility and re-usability of the tools for possible application to other planetary missions is desirable.

Examples:

• Review, catalogue and improve upon existing tools and scripts.
• Conceptualisation and creation of new tools for reporting, monitoring and data visualisation
• Opsweb for Mars, evolution
• Adapt and update long term reporting tools
• Create subsystem tools for the Spacecraft Operations Engineers

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:

1) Topic 1:

Required:

• Proficient in programming/scripting in a high level programming language (specifically. Python, Javascript)
• Good knowledge of REST API and Database management
• Experience with using a web development framework
• Experience working in cloud environments and with virtual machines

Good to have:

• Experience in creating apps for users
• Intellectual curiosity
• An interest in space
• A desire to transform raw data to useful information

2) Topic 2:

Required:

• Proficient in programming/scripting in a high level programming language (specifically. Python, Javascript)
• Good knowledge of REST API and Database management
• Experience with using a web development framework
• Experience working in cloud environments and with virtual machines

Good to have:

• Experience in creating apps for users
• Intellectual curiosity
• An interest in space
• A desire to transform raw data to useful information