Our team and mission

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

Under the direct authority of the Mechanical Department, the Thermal Division is responsible for the technical and strategic management of:

• Thermal engineering, design, analysis and testing of space systems, covering active and passive thermal control systems;
• Implementation of technical support to all ESA projects and development programmes within its domain of competence, including support to failure investigations;
• Definition, coordination and implementation of technology development activities within its domain of competence, covering passive and active cryogenic cooling, heat transport, heat storage and heat rejection, thermal insulation, thermal protection, thermal analysis tools and methods, thermal and mechanical verification including testing;
• Maintenance and operation of the Mechanical Systems Laboratory with a number of facilities covering thermal cycling, thermal balance, CTE measurements, MLI performance measurements, thermal conductivity, mechanical testing, as well as the thermal computing facility and other TEC-M technical computing facilities;

among others.

The Thermal Control Section is responsible for all ESA activities related to thermal engineering, related R&D activities and hardware for the thermal control of space systems. It is the center of competence within the Agency for design and verification of passive and active thermal control systems, cryogenics and refrigeration, heat transport, heat storage and rejection, thermal insulations and thermal protection.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic: Thermal Control Engineering

Covering one or several of the activities below:

• Thermal Design & Analysis: Perform thermal design and associated analysis, including steady state/transient analyses of instrument and satellites following familiarization with project requirements and Agency’s tools (ESATAN TMS). This may also include in-flight correlation of thermal analysis models for ESA projects.
• Cryogenics: Investigate cryogenic technologies (active and passive coolers) for applications in future ESA spacecraft and launchers.
• Heat Transfer & Heat Rejection: Investigate heat transport technologies such as capillary and mechanically pumped two-phase loops, single-phase loops, heat pipes for thermal control.
• Thermal Protection: Investigate thermal protection technologies (both – re-usable and ablative) for on-going and future missions (e.g. planetary exploration and sample return missions) and re-usable launchers.
• Generic thermal control technologies: Investigate innovative and advanced technologies for the Thermal Control Subsystem e.g. tunable infrared emittance coatings with electrochromic-based solutions, phase-change materials, heat pumps, etc. Investigate specific thermal technologies for small satellites and CubeSats.

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.