Our team and mission

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

The Mechanical Department is responsible for automation and robotics, life and physical sciences instrumentation, life support, optics, opto-electronics, structures, mechanisms, materials, thermal control, propulsion and aero-thermodynamics, and the verification of space vehicles systems and subsystems.

 
The position is offered in the Optics Section that provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technology research (R&D) in optics for space applications. The Optics Section’s activities cover the development of novel optical systems, such as spectro-radiometric imaging instruments, operating in the UV to infrared spectral range, and interferometers, including the relevant optical ground equipment.

 
The Optics Section is responsible for developing a broad range of technologies addressing optical components and processes, such as polarisers, gratings, coatings, polishing methodologies, and the metrology of optical components. Significant work is also done on the development of technologies for the next generation of X-ray space telescopes.
 

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose between the following topics:

1) Topic 1: Modelling of Optical Instruments

Hyperspectral optical imaging systems offer unique sensing capabilities for satellite-based earth observation. Current and planned hyperspectral missions enable, for instance, the assessment of vegetation health, the monitoring of greenhouse gases or the improvement of climate models. During the development of these systems, it is paramount to accurately model and predict the expected performance once the system is operating in space, e.g. by developing customized, end-to-end mission performance simulators. However, the accurate simulation of the image acquisition chain is extremely challenging. In addition to the extensive, multi-dimensional input data and the elaborate data processing chains, the optical image acquisition process involving specialized optical components, such as gratings and prisms, is highly complex. Therefore, the corresponding optical simulations are commonly significantly constrained by theoretical boundaries and model simplifications, which limit the accuracy of the performance predictions.

In the frame of this internship, you will study hyperspectral imaging systems for remote sensing applications and focus on their optical performance modelling. Initially, you will review and develop a detailed understanding of the commonly used models and approaches such as ray tracing or Fourier optics, which are incorporated to perform the theoretical, optical performance predictions. Subsequently, the goal is to assess and quantify the impact of conventional model limitations based on a real instrument example. To this end, you will develop and apply numerical simulation and analysis tools, which incorporate programming software tools such as Matlab or Python, as well as optical engineering software such as Zemax OpticStudio. Finally, the goal is to explore and verify potential concepts to overcome conventional modelling constraints to improve the simulation accuracy of the previously studied instrument example. 

Your work will directly support our optical engineering efforts to enhance the accuracy of end-to-end, optical performance simulations of earth observation instruments. Throughout your internship, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists, gaining insights from their expertise while contributing your unique perspective. By the end of your internship, you will have gained valuable experience in the working principle of hyperspectral imagers for space based remote sensing as well as their theoretical analysis and modelling. You will have acquired skills in using advanced optical simulation tools and contributed to the overall development of state-of-the-art optical instruments for earth observation.

2) Topic 2: Integration of an optical test set-up

The final phase of the development of optical instrumentation for space consists of the integration, alignment and testing. Testing is performed using dedicated optical set-ups that allow to measure and characterize the optical performance parameters such as imaging quality, spectral response, radiometric sensitivity and more.  

You will study various configurations that are used in the optical testing and characterization process of instruments. During your internship you will get the opportunity to design and implement an essential element used in optical testing – a collimator – that can simulate an optical source at infinity as needed for the testing of Earth observing or astronomical space observations. You will implement such a set-up in the Optics Lab, explore a suitable alignment method for it and perform its alignment using available tools such as theodolites or laser tracker. You will verify the achieved performance using commercial test equipment.

Behavioural competencies

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a university course at Master’s level and you need to remain 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 Member State language would be an asset.