Internship in Programme Preparation and Development
JOB DETAIL
Internship in Programme Preparation and Development
Internship title: Execution of analysis on automated station-keeping for LEO satellites, including new missions such as EPS-Sterna
The operational concept for future EUMETSAT satellites includes automated orbit control, also known as station-keeping. The orbit control types include absolute and relative PSO (Position Sur l’Orbit) control, ground-track maintenance, eccentricity control, MLST (Mean Local Solar Time) control, inclination control, longitude control, as well as co-location strategies.
The focus of this internship will be limited to those orbit control types applicable to Low Earth Orbit satellites.
A key component of the project will be to conduct simulations using specialized mission analysis tools. These simulations will aim to evaluate orbit control in terms of fuel consumption, the number and duration of manoeuvres, and the risk of orbit control violations while account for uncertainties such as orbit propagation errors, manoeuvre inaccuracies or failures, and the potential need for the implementation of collision avoidance actions in response to collision risks with other space objects.
The intern will develop an understanding of the significance of orbit control activities and their impact on satellite operations. Analysing the results from dedicated simulations will yield valuable insights that can inform the design of orbit control strategies for both current and future EUMETSAT missions.
Duties
The main tasks of the internship are:
- Familiarisation with EUMETSAT mission analysis tools;
- Definition of operational scenarios;
- Implementation of operational scenarios;
- Execution of simulations;
- Document and synthesize results accordingly in a document report and an end-of-internship presentation.
- In addition, the intern will support relevant day-to-day activities within the team.
LOCATION
QUALIFICATIONS
The internships are open to bachelor and master students with mandatory internship requirements in relevant disciplines covering orbit mechanics, including good background in Mathematics and Applied Sciences.
LANGUAGES
The official languages of EUMETSAT are English and French. It is necessary to be able to work effectively in English.
DEADLINE
31 October 2024
Duties
The main tasks of the internship are:
- Familiarisation with EUMETSAT mission analysis tools;
- Definition of operational scenarios;
- Implementation of operational scenarios;
- Execution of simulations;
- Document and synthesize results accordingly in a document report and an end-of-internship presentation.
- In addition, the intern will support relevant day-to-day activities within the team.
Skills and Experience
- Have the ability to work effectively in English;
- Be computer literate;
- Be intrinsically motivated and curious about the internship subject;
- Be able to work independently and collaboratively;
- Have the ability to take the initiative in researching ideas;
- Have the ability to collect, collate, conceptualize and present information clearly.
Additional specific requirements:
- Knowledge in orbit mechanics;
- Familiarity with Windows & Linux operating systems as well as MATLAB and Python programming languages would be desired.
Employment Conditions
Length of internship: 3 months
Anticipated start date: H1 2025
The internship will require a non-disclosure agreement and potentially a basic background check for the intern, due to the sensitivity of the provided information.
No salary is paid to interns who are still in studies, however a daily allowance and contribution to travel / accommodation costs may be provided.
As of 1 January 2025, interns may be granted a daily allowance of EUR 25 per day, relocation cost reimbursement of up to EUR 400, and accommodation cost reimbursement of up to EUR 1000 per month.
Interns are responsible for providing their own health and accident insurance and for finding their own accommodation in Darmstadt.
Consideration may also be given if the internship is not a mandatory part of curriculum, for a maximum duration of three months.
EUMETSAT is committed to providing an equal opportunities work environment for men and women.
Please note that only nationals of EUMETSAT Member States may apply. The EUMETSAT Convention requires that Staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, account being taken of the international character of EUMETSAT.
About EUMETSAT
EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency. Its role is to establish and operate meteorological satellites to monitor the weather and climate from space – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This information is supplied to the National Meteorological Services of the organisation’s Member States in Europe, as well as other users worldwide.
EUMETSAT also operates several Copernicus missions on behalf of the European Union and provide data services to the Copernicus marine and atmospheric services and their users.
As an intergovernmental European Organisation, EUMETSAT has 30 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.)
