Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) – Harwell, UK

IMPORTANT: Due to the location of the ECSAT, only the students enrolled in a UK University or students with a UK citizenship or the right to work in the UK can apply to this internship.

The Vulcan Analogue Sample Facility is uniquely positioned within the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration’s Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team to support long-term Lunar and Mars Surface Exploration by developing operational concepts and low TRL technologies. The Vulcan team provides expert support (on analogue sample topics) to research and technology development projects (focused on space exploration and planetary science applications) within ESA, its member states, and the rest of Europe. The Vulcan Facility is a geological repository and analytical laboratory operated by a multidisciplinary, onsite team of staff and contractors. It is located on the Harwell Campus in the UK (part of ESA’s ECSAT site) and serves as a European focal point for the research, curation, and characterisation of analogue samples.

The facility acts to:

• Support validation and de-risking of low TRL technologies & key operational concepts
• Improve confidence in European simulants
• Inspire the next generation of planetary geoscientists

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic: Analogue Sample Research & Development

As an intern, you will be involved in research activities focused on analogue samples and related technologies through collaboration with other ESA teams (primarily Spaceship ECSAT).

They include:
A) New, customised analogue sample recipes for present and future missions:

• Low-medium fidelity simulants for a range of target planetary bodies and sites
• High fidelity, mechanical simulants for a range of engineering and geotechnical applications e.g. terrain/traversability performance testing and dust interaction, mitigation, and contamination testing
• High fidelity, ISRU simulants focused on resource extraction and additive manufacturing test purposes
• Investigation of artificial (i.e. non-geological) simulant components e.g. simulated agglutinates

B) Adapted techniques for advanced characterisation of the physical, mechanical, mineralogical, and chemical properties of analogue samples

.

C) Sample receiving, curation and handling technologies:

• Robotic Manipulation Breadboard (RM BB) test programme for sample handling and manipulation
• Automated or remote control of analogue sample activities (e.g. sample preparation, hands-free transfer) using the RM BB or other technologies
• Advanced curation technologies e.g. controlled storage, cold/cryogenic curation
• Micromanipulation of micro-scale samples (by operator or remotely) e.g. optical tweezers, anti-static remote sieving

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:

• Knowledge and background in Planetary Science or Geoscience is required
• Knowledge in geotechnical engineering, materials or metallurgy is an asset