Internship in the Spaceship ECSAT Team 2026

ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom

Due to the location of ECSAT and current UK legislation, only UK citizens, students enrolled in a UK university, or those with pre-settled status (right to study) in the UK are eligible to apply for this internship.

Our team and mission

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (D/HRE) is the main ESA entity in charge of supporting and coordinating efforts towards the current and the future endeavours of human spaceflight. The exploration activities are part of the strategic plans in securing a central role for Europe with respect to the global initiatives. The strategy includes three destinations where humans will work with robots to gather new knowledge: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Moon, and Mars.

The “Spaceship ECSAT” initiative is investigating low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies for supporting the future cislunar space mission as well as surface activities on the Moon as part of the Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team. This multidisciplinary, innovation-driven team composed of researchers, graduate and undergraduate students is based at the ESA European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT). The founding idea behind this initiative is to prepare the future of space exploration. To do so, a pragmatic and research-focused approach is adopted, and knowledge acquired is disseminated within ESA, partners and the relevant scientific community.

Within Spaceship ECSAT, we have a number of fields where we carry out different projects. These fields are:

• demonstrating disruptive technologies such as Virtual/Augmented Reality, collaborative robotics and their potential use cases for exploration;
• investigating novel concepts in the domain of Space Resources/In-Situ Resource Utilisation, to enable sustainable human exploration;
• topics related to ‘off world living’, e.g. human factors, design and concept illustration.

We are continually looking for innovative applicants with skills or interests in these areas to join the Spaceship ECSAT team.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose among the following topics.

Topic 1: Robotics

Our Spaceship team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are remote manipulation, embedded systems and machine learning.

Topic 2: VR/XR

Our Spaceship team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are virtual and augmented reality applied to training, graphic design, human-machine interfaces & robotics.

Topic 3: Human factors

Our Spaceship team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are decision making and outreach with a focus on embedded systems, graphic design and human-machine interfaces.

Our Spaceship team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are virtual and augmented reality applied to training, decision making and outreach with a focus on embedded systems, graphic design, human-machine interfaces, remote manipulation and surface mobility.

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course 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.

A background in robotics, computer science, electrical/electronic engineering, mechatronics, aerospace engineering or a related field (Topic 1), together with an interest in virtual and augmented reality, simulation, visualisation (Topic 2) and human–machine interfaces (Topic 3), would be an asset. Familiarity with tools such as ROS/ROS 2, Unreal Engine or Simulink, and an interest in their application to space exploration and planetary surface operations, would also be advantageous.

Important information and disclaimer

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

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

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, Cyprus, 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.