The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in its Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department, focused on lunar image super-resolution, at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. University students who are nationals of an eligible ESA State can apply until 30 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and gathered every task, requirement and condition in one place, and you can find more internships and traineeships in our listings.
Lunar Image Super-Resolution Internship: Key Facts
📌 Position: Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department, Lunar Image Super-Resolution
🏛️ Organisation: European Space Agency (ESA)
🧭 Directorate: Operations
📍 Workplace: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21143
🪪 Type of Appointment: Intern
📣 Publication Method: External only
⏱️ Duration: 3 to 6 months
🚀 Start: From February 2027, agreed with the ESA tutor
🎓 Education: University student, preferably at Master's level
🗣️ Languages: English or French
⏳ Deadline: 30 November 2026
Where You Will Work: The Mission Analysis Section
The Mission Analysis Section is the solution architect for future terrestrial, lunar, minor-body and interplanetary missions, as well as scientific missions to other planets and missions to the libration points.
🎯 The emphasis is on trajectory optimisation and attitude-related aspects
🛠️ The section provides solutions for the spacecraft itself, the ground segment design and operations preparations
🌕 In recent years, the section has expanded its activities towards lunar surface analysis, supporting landing site selection, hazard assessment and mission design for future Moon missions
Why Lunar Surface Imagery Needs a Resolution Boost
Future lunar missions require detailed knowledge of the surface environment for landing site selection and mission planning. However, the spatial resolution of existing lunar orbital imagery limits the detection and characterisation of sub-pixel scale terrain features, which poses a risk to landing safety.
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The Objective: Sharper Moon Images From Repeated Observations
The aim of this internship is to investigate and develop methodologies for generating enhanced-resolution lunar surface imagery. The approach exploits the slight differences in spacecraft position and camera pointing between repeated observations of the same area under similar lighting conditions.
The working hypothesis is that the reconstruction of surface details at a higher effective resolution than that of the original sensor should be achievable.
Your Seven Tasks as an Intern
📚 Review state-of-the-art techniques for multi-image super-resolution and image reconstruction
🔎 Investigate the characteristics and limitations of existing lunar image datasets
📐 Utilise algorithms for precise image registration and sub-pixel alignment of lunar orbital imagery
🧩 Implement reconstruction techniques combining multiple observations into enhanced-resolution products
💡 Assess the influence of illumination conditions, viewing geometry and image quality on reconstruction performance
✅ Validate the generated products using higher-resolution reference datasets where available
🛬 Evaluate the potential benefits for lunar landing site characterisation, terrain mapping and hazard assessment
Duration and Start Date
According to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships, the internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Education: Who Can Apply?
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.
Nationality Requirements
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
🇪🇺 Applicants from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS) can also apply
Languages: English or French
The working languages of the Agency are English and French, and a good knowledge of one of them is required.
🌐 Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset
Skills That Count as an Asset
Knowledge and background in the following is an asset:
🐍 Python / C++ coding
🖼️ Image processing
Six Behavioural Competencies ESA Looks For
The vacancy lists ESA's core behavioural competencies. For more information, ESA refers applicants to its ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
🏆 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🤝 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
📈 Continuous Improvement
🔭 Forward Thinking
Selection: Tests and Interview
📝 During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests
🎤 During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored
How Many Internships Can You Apply For?
According to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships, a candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 internship vacancies.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness at ESA
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
🦽 ESA welcomes people with disabilities and, whenever possible, 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, and you can contact the student internships team by email (see the Links section below)
Good to Know Before You Apply
The information published 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. Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Lunar Image Super-Resolution internship take place?
The internship is based at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. It sits in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department of the Operations Directorate.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
According to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships, it lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
What will I work on?
You will develop methods to reconstruct lunar surface imagery at a higher effective resolution by combining repeated observations of the same area. Your work covers a literature review, image registration, reconstruction, validation and an evaluation for landing site characterisation, terrain mapping and hazard assessment.
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 prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire internship. You must also be a national of an eligible State.
Which nationalities are eligible?
Nationals of 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 can apply. Applicants from Canada (Cooperating State) and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta (European Cooperating States) can apply as well.
Do I need to know Python or C++?
Knowledge and background in Python / C++ coding and in image processing is an asset, not a stated requirement. The vacancy lists both as advantages.
Which languages do I need?
The working languages of ESA are English and French, and a good knowledge of one of them is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
How many internships can I apply for?
According to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships, a candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 internship vacancies.
Will there be selection tests or an interview?
ESA may request applicants to undergo selection tests. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
When is the deadline?
Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. Submit your application through the ESA careers website using the Apply now link below.
Who can I contact about disability support?
ESA seeks to accommodate individuals with disabilities whenever possible, and the Human Resources Department can assist during the recruitment process. Use the student internships email address in the Links section.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Links
🔗 Full vacancy and application (Apply now): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Darmstadt-Intern-in-the-Ground-Systems-Engineering-&-Innovation-Department-Lunar-Image-Super-Resolution/1452809333/
📰 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
✉️ Student internships contact: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
