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 Radio Frequency Systems and Payloads Office, the Radio Frequency Systems Division is responsible for RF end-to-end systems and associated laboratory facilities.

More specifically its responsibilities encompasses:

• Telecommunication systems and techniques, for both the space and ground segment including engineering tools, digital communication techniques, signal processing, networks and protocols, telecommunication equipment, security techniques and technologies;
• Radio navigation systems and techniques for both the space and ground segment including engineering tools, receivers, signal processing, navigation algorithms, security techniques and technologies, formation flying RF metrology;
• Radio navigation systems implementation and verification activities, service preparation and the navigation ground segment implementation aspects;
• Telemetry, tracking and control systems, including system tools, deep space and near Earth transponders, proximity link, high speed downlink modulators, digital communication techniques, signal processing techniques and secure communication techniques;
• Specification, design, development and testing of pre-commercial and commercial user segment and dedicated test facilities for telecom, navigation and Earth observation.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic: Satellite TT&C Communications

Assessment and End-to-End Analysis of Space Communications links, including Tracking Telemetry and Command (TT&C) links for Science and Exploration missions up to Deep Space, and/or Payload Data Transmission (PDT) Links for Earth Observation missions; tasks will include: assessment of techniques and technologies; performing simulations; validation in TT&C laboratory; upgrading existing simulators in PYTHON or other programming languages; support to the Development and testing of Software Defined Radio for TT&C/PDT applications (possibly using GNU radio). The analysis and simulation cover assessment of modulation, coding, acquisition and tracking techniques for satellite TT&C and PDT links.  Participation as TT&C expert team member in early design studies of future space missions from Earth Orbiting to Deep Space.

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:

• Some experience on basic laboratory hardware usage and testing
• Good knowledge of MATLAB, PYTHON or other programming languages
• Familiarity with satellite communications