The European Space Agency (ESA) offers an internship in the Space Weather Office of its Space Safety Programme at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. You choose between two topics: space weather missions and instruments design, or front-end and UI/UX design for space weather products. 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 went through the full ESA vacancy and the ESA internship announcement.
Internship at a Glance
🏢 Organisation: European Space Agency (ESA)
🏷️ Office: Space Weather Office (OPS-SW), Space Safety Department
🧭 Directorate: Operations
📍 Location: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
📝 Type of appointment: Intern
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21075
🕓 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
🧪 Topics: 2 to choose from
What the ESA Space Safety Department Takes Care Of
The ESA Space Safety Department takes care of all potential hazards and threats from space or in space, which can impact human activities, infrastructure, or related applications.
The spectrum of tasks ranges from gathering a basic understanding of space hazards originating from our Sun, from human space debris, or from asteroids potentially colliding with the Earth. It also addresses basic approaches to mitigate these hazards and to implement space systems end-to-end in a sustainable and eco-compatible way.
Moreover, several cornerstone missions are underway to demonstrate basic methods of space weather forecasting, asteroid deflection and active space debris removal from orbit.
The Eight Entities of the Space Safety Department
To carry out these tasks, the Space Safety Department has the following entities:
🚀 Mission Implementation Division (OPS-SM)
🗂️ COSMIC Project Management Office (OPS-SC)
🌞 Space Weather Office (OPS-SW)
🪐 Planetary Defence Office (OPS-SP)
🛰️ Space Debris Office (OPS-SD)
♻️ Clean Space & Circular Economy Office (OPS-SY)
📡 Frequency Management Office (OPS-SF)
🧭 Programme Coordination Office (OPS-SX)
The Space Weather Office and Its Mission
The Space Weather Office is responsible for developing the ESA Space Weather System, which allows nowcasting and forecasting of space weather, meaning the enormous eruptions in the Sun that impact the environment everywhere in our solar system.
When these eruptions hit the Earth, they can cause major damage to infrastructure on the surface, damage satellites and endanger the health of astronauts in space.
The Space Weather Office is also responsible for the development and implementation of the satellite missions for space weather monitoring, which make space weather services to users possible.
Why Space Weather Matters
Geomagnetic storms triggered by solar events can cause:
⚡ Blackouts in power grids
🧭 Disturbances to satellite navigation and communication
✈️ Disturbances to aviation and transport
🏙️ Disruption of many other functions we are used to in our daily life
Energetic particles from solar events can also damage space probes that ESA has sent to other planets in the solar system. This is why the Space Weather Office is developing space weather forecasting capability for other planets such as Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter.
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Choose Your Topic
The vacancy lets you choose among the following topics:
🛰️ Topic 1: Space weather missions and instruments design
🖥️ Topic 2: Space Weather Product Front-End and UI/UX design
Topic 1: Space Weather Missions and Instruments Design
ESA is developing an enhanced Space Weather Sensor System to provide data for forecasting and to monitor space weather effects.
Because of the asymmetry and complexity of Earth's magnetosphere, the involved particle environment and its dynamics, it is necessary to capture the state of the magnetic field and the particle distribution in a sufficiently large number of sampling points around the Earth. This allows state-monitoring and modelling of the involved processes with sufficient accuracy and timeliness.
An important aspect for the realisation of observation systems for Space Safety is the need for high reliability, sufficiently long lifetime and low data latencies, as the data will be used for operational purposes.
Topic 1: The Missions You Will Look Into
ESA is currently implementing and studying multiple dedicated space weather missions, from hosted payloads to nanosatellites and small satellites, that will be flying in a wide range of orbits.
This allows you to look into the different steps of an ESA space mission, from early study to mission implementation and management of flying missions.
Topic 1: Your Role
Your role would be to contribute to the mission development of upcoming missions, through analysis of the mission performance using:
📊 Different space weather models
🔬 Instrument simulations and data
📐 Mission analysis tools
These analyses will provide insight into the optimisation of the mission design and operations concept, and will support the Space Weather team in guiding ongoing industry developments.
Topic 2: Space Weather Product Front-End and UI/UX Design
ESA coordinates a large-scale project called the ESA Space Weather Service Network. One of the main roles of the Network is to provide a user interface through the ESA Space Weather Service portal (swe.ssa.esa.int), where dozens of European experts display hundreds of different space weather products.
The products range from solar observations, to numerical space weather forecasts, all the way down to the tracing of space weather effects on electric grid infrastructure.
Academia and industry provide very rich, complete and high-quality data, which is made available through APIs and machine-to-machine interfaces.
Topic 2: The Goal of the Internship
The goal of this internship is to investigate upgrading the front-end layer of this complex system, providing a modern, ergonomic and visually attractive interface with enhanced user experience.
Topic 2: Your Role
Your role would be to design a prototype of a modern front-end interface for some of the most recent space weather products available for display in the ESA Space Weather portal.
Your knowledge of UX/UI and human-machine interfaces will be put to the test, as well as your ability to propose high-quality professional graphic designs.
Topic 2: Your Tasks and Deliverables
Your tasks will include:
📑 A detailed report on existing UX and graphic design guidelines from the Agency
📖 A guideline on key concepts for excellent web design, as expressed for example in the book "Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug
🎨 A visual identity document
🔍 A usability analysis document
🖼️ Mock-ups of front-end designs for the new space weather products
You will finalise your internship by developing a first software prototype of the new front-end and its interface with the back-end.
Topic 2: Focus and How ESA Wants You to Apply
The focus of this project is to define a professional user interface and visual identity. The Agency encourages candidates with high interest and expertise in user experience (UX), user interface (UI) and human-machine interface (HMI) design to demonstrate their ability to transform high-quality data into high-value information for the end-users.
A tailored CV and motivation letter highlighting how your profile fits this topic is the best way to apply for this internship.
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.
Additional Requirements for Topic 1
🌌 Knowledge and background in space/particle physics, simulations and data science are assets
💻 Previous demonstrated experience with programming is desirable
Additional Requirements for Topic 2
🧰 Background and demonstrated experience in UX, UI, HMI design and programming for software is essential
✏️ Knowledge in designing ergonomic user interfaces and graphics is desirable
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.
Looking for more roles like this one? Browse the internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA Space Weather Office internship take place?
The internship takes place at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. It is offered by the Space Weather Office (OPS-SW) of the Space Safety Department in the Operations Directorate.
Which topics can I choose from?
The vacancy offers two topics. Topic 1 is space weather missions and instruments design, and Topic 2 is Space Weather Product Front-End and UI/UX design.
What will the intern work on in Topic 1?
The intern contributes to the mission development of upcoming space weather missions. The work uses space weather models, instrument simulations and data, and mission analysis tools to support the optimisation of mission design and the operations concept.
What will the intern work on in Topic 2?
The intern designs a prototype of a modern front-end interface for recent space weather products in the ESA Space Weather portal. The work includes a report on existing ESA UX and graphic design guidelines, a visual identity document, a usability analysis document, mock-ups and a first software prototype of the new front-end.
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 background does ESA look for?
For Topic 1, knowledge and background in space/particle physics, simulations and data science are assets, and previous demonstrated experience with programming is desirable. For Topic 2, background and demonstrated experience in UX, UI, HMI design and programming for software is essential.
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.
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.
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-Space-Safety-Programme-Space-Weather-Office/1452797933/
📰 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
