The European Space Agency (ESA) offers an internship in the XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL Flight Control Team at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. University students, preferably in the final or second-to-last year of a Master's course, can apply until 30 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full ESA vacancy and the ESA internship announcement.
Internship at a Glance
🏢 Organisation: European Space Agency (ESA)
🛰️ Team: XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL Flight Control Team, Astrophysics Missions Division
🧭 Directorate: Operations
📍 Location: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
📝 Type of appointment: Intern
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21081
🕓 Duration: 3 to 6 months
📆 Start: from February 2027, with the exact date agreed with the ESA tutor
🎓 Level: university student, preferably at Master's level
🗣️ Working languages: English and French
The Team and Mission Behind the Internship
The Astrophysics Missions Division is responsible for the design, implementation and operation of the mission operations ground segment and the spacecraft operations for Science and selected Space Safety programme missions. Its work typically runs from the start of phase B through in-flight commissioning to routine mission operations, until the end of the mission.
The division covers a variety of missions. Some are still in preparation, like Plato and Ariel. Others are already in operations, like Euclid, XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL.
The XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL Flight Control Team
The internship takes place in the XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL Flight Control Team. This is the team of engineers responsible for the day-to-day operation of the spacecraft and its ground systems.
The work of the team includes:
🩺 Monitoring of spacecraft health and performance
🗓️ Planning and execution of operational activities
🚨 Investigating and responding to anomalies
🎯 Ensuring that the mission continues to meet its scientific objectives safely and efficiently
XMM-Newton: An X-Ray Observatory
XMM-Newton is an X-ray observatory. It combines the largest mirror assembly ever flown with advanced detector technology, such as CCD cameras, high-resolution grating spectrometers and an optical monitor. It observes cosmic objects like black holes, active galaxies and supernova remnants.
INTEGRAL: A Gamma-Ray Observatory
INTEGRAL is a gamma-ray observatory equipped with instruments for gamma-ray, X-ray and optical observations. It studies highly energetic cosmic phenomena such as neutron stars, black holes, supernova remnants and gamma-ray bursts. By observing high-energy radiation, it investigates the most extreme physical processes in the universe.
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What You Will Do as an Intern
You will support the XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL Flight Control Team to execute the mission operations and to assess the performance of the missions and their ground segment.
The exact tasks will be tailored to your skills, interests and project needs.
Experience You Will Build
The internship builds up experience in two areas:
🚀 General insight into the know-how, organisation and culture of satellite operations
📊 Systems that measure the performance of the various ground segment and spacecraft elements
Through this assignment, you gain valuable knowledge and hands-on experience in the design, functionality and operations of a satellite control centre, with a particular focus on monitoring and visualising ground segment status.
Your Specific Project: The Ground and Space Segment Awareness System
Specifically, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of a Ground and Space Segment Awareness System. This activity also involves interaction with a European Graduate Trainee at ESOC.
The system provides a real-time overview of the spacecraft, ground segment and mission status. It helps engineers understand what is happening across the mission, maintain situational awareness, assess mission status and support the investigation of operational anomalies.
Planned Developments of the System
The system should be updated and enhanced with new capabilities. The planned developments include:
🌌 Integration of spacecraft orbit visualisation with information on the Earth's radiation environment
🖥️ Improvements to the user interface and experience
Additional activities may include the implementation of further operational and user-driven requirements, such as enhanced visualisation of attitude and orbit control information.
Other System Enhancements and Operational Support Tools
Depending on your interests and the project priorities at the time, there will also be opportunities to contribute to other system enhancements and operational support tools.
Operational and Engineering Exposure
This assignment provides exposure to both operational and engineering aspects of mission support systems. It offers experience in a multidisciplinary environment closely linked to spacecraft operations at ESOC.
Behavioural Competencies
ESA lists six behavioural competencies for this role. For more information, the vacancy refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
🏆 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🤝 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🔮 Forward Thinking
Education Requirement
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level.
You must also be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Language 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.
What You Bring
💻 Good programming skills in Python and familiarity with web technologies (JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML, CSS)
📈 Interest in developing practical software for data processing, visualisation and operational awareness
🌠 Curiosity about satellite operations, space systems and ground-segment engineering
📚 Motivation to write clear, maintainable and well-documented code
🧩 A collaborative mindset and readiness to develop solutions iteratively based on operational needs and user feedback
🌟 Experience with dashboards, data visualisation, Grafana or CesiumJS would be an asset
Duration, Start Date and Application Limit
According to the ESA announcement of the Student Internships 2027, the internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The start date is determined together with the ESA tutor.
A candidate can apply to a maximum of 2 internship vacancies.
Who Can Apply: Nationality Requirements
ESA states 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.
Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
Selection Process
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. During the recruitment process, the Agency may also request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Is the ESA Internship Paid?
The vacancy page does not state a stipend or allowance for this internship, and it does not mention Erasmus+ funding. The information 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.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. It welcomes applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
ESA values diversity and welcomes people with disabilities. Whenever possible, it seeks to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. The contact email is listed at the end of this post.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL internship take place?
The internship takes place at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany, in the XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL Flight Control Team of the Astrophysics Missions Division in the Operations Directorate.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
According to the ESA announcement of the Student Internships 2027, the internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The start date is determined together with the ESA tutor.
What will the intern work on?
The intern supports the Flight Control Team in executing mission operations and assessing the performance of the missions and their ground segment. A specific focus is the development of the Ground and Space Segment Awareness System, including orbit visualisation combined with information on the Earth's radiation environment and improvements to the user interface and experience.
Who can apply?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year at Master's level, and you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship. You must also be a national of one of the eligible States listed by ESA.
Which nationalities are eligible?
Nationals of ESA's listed States can apply: 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. Applicants from Canada, Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta can also apply as Cooperating States.
Which skills does ESA look for?
ESA looks for good programming skills in Python and familiarity with web technologies such as JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML and CSS. Interest in data processing, visualisation and operational awareness is expected. Experience with dashboards, data visualisation, Grafana or CesiumJS is an asset.
Which languages are required?
A good knowledge of English or French, the working languages of ESA, is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
Is the internship paid?
The vacancy page does not state a stipend or allowance, and it does not mention Erasmus+ funding.
How many ESA internship vacancies can I apply to?
A candidate can apply to a maximum of 2 internship vacancies.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply now (ESA careers): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Darmstadt-Intern-in-the-Mission-Operations-Department-XMM-Newton-and-INTEGRAL-Mission-Operations/1452799233/
📰 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌐 ESA website: https://www.esa.int
📧 Questions and accessibility support: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
