The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in the Planetary Defence Office of its Space Safety Programme at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy. You will help build a software tool that searches existing observation databases for lost asteroids, and applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and set out every task, requirement and eligibility rule below.
The Internship at a Glance
These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21073
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Operations
📍 Workplace: Frascati, IT
🗺️ Location: ESRIN, Frascati, Italy
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Where You Will Be Based: ESRIN, Frascati
The internship is located at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy. The vacancy lists Frascati, IT as the workplace for the role within ESA's Operations Directorate.
Our Team and Mission: The ESA Space Safety Department
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 the 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.
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
In execution of 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)
What the Planetary Defence Office Does
The Planetary Defence Office (PDO) is addressing the "prediction and detection [of] the potential impact of a near-Earth object". Concerning the information needs for NEO monitoring, the following are defined:
📍 Knowledge of the current and future positions of all NEO objects above a given size threshold or risk level, in particular their minimum fly-by distance to the Earth and time of this event
⚠️ Maintaining awareness of collision risks with the Earth
✅ Access to verifiable, dependable, timely data with integrity and known accuracy
The Seven Top-Level Tasks of the Office
The top-level Office tasks are:
1️⃣ Issue NEO impact warnings and news releases
2️⃣ Provide direct access to data in the NEO database
3️⃣ Provide access to data in the NEO database available only via registration
4️⃣ Perform additional observations
5️⃣ Provide high priority information
6️⃣ Provide educational and outreach material
7️⃣ Provide user tools
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Three Pillars and Five Domains of Expertise
The PDO is structured along three vertical pillars differentiating the following activity areas:
👁️ Observation
📡 Information provision
🛡️ Mitigation
The vacancy names the following domains of the department's expertise:
🏗️ Ground Station Engineering
🌀 Flight Dynamics and Mission Analysis
💾 Mission Operations Data Systems Engineering
🧭 Navigation Support
🔌 Multi-Mission Infrastructure, Ground Segment Integration and Testing
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website to learn more about the Agency.
Your Project: Finding Asteroids That Were Observed Once and Then Lost
Each year, thousands of asteroids are discovered, but many are observed only for a short period before becoming difficult to locate again. At the same time, large archives of astronomical observations contain many unlinked detections that may correspond to previously observed objects. Connecting these observations can improve orbital knowledge and support the recovery of poorly observed asteroids.
In this internship, you will contribute to the development of a software tool to automatically search for asteroid identifications within existing observational databases. The project will focus on building a robust and efficient pipeline that compares known asteroid predictions against large collections of observations and highlights promising candidate matches for further analysis.
What You Will Build: From Design to a Working Prototype
You will contribute to the design, implementation and validation of the pipeline, using real astronomical data and modern orbit analysis techniques. The final outcome will be a prototype tool capable of running automatically and supporting daily asteroid identification activities.
What You Will Do
You will have the opportunity to:
💻 Develop software components for the automated processing of asteroid observation data
🔎 Implement methods to search large observational databases for candidate identifications
📊 Evaluate and rank potential matches using orbital uncertainty information
🧪 Validate the performance of the pipeline using historical asteroid observations
🚀 Contribute to the development of an operational prototype suitable for integration into existing asteroid-monitoring activities
What You Will Learn
Through this internship, you will learn:
🪐 How asteroid observations are used to determine and improve orbital solutions
🎲 How uncertainty in orbital predictions affects object identification
🧱 How to design and implement scalable scientific software
🗃️ How to process and analyse large astronomical datasets
🔧 How to transform a scientific concept into an operational tool
How Long the Internship Lasts and When It Starts
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists the following ESA core behavioural competencies:
🏁 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🫱 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🔭 Forward Thinking
For more information, the vacancy refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
Who Can Apply: Education
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. In addition, you must 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 and Assets
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. The vacancy lists these additional requirements:
🎓 A degree track in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, planetary science, or a related field
🐍 Solid Python programming skills, including working with scientific libraries (numpy, pandas, astropy)
🌌 Basic familiarity with orbital mechanics / solar system dynamics
🗄️ Comfortable working with large datasets; running and interpreting simulations
⌨️ A good knowledge of a scripting/programming language (preferably Python)
🧠 Ability to work independently on an open-ended research question
The following are considered an asset:
☄️ Familiarity with near-Earth object science or planetary defence concepts
📈 Experience with data visualisation and statistical analysis
🪐 Background in celestial mechanics, described as a valuable asset for this role
Eligible Nationalities
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.
🍁 Cooperating State: applicants from Canada can apply as well
🇪🇺 European Cooperating States (ECS): applicants from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta can apply as well
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.
Application Limit
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, one candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies.
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.
At the Agency, diversity is valued and people with disabilities are welcome. Whenever possible, ESA 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 ESA by email using the address in the Links section below.
Important Information
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. The vacancy does not state a stipend or allowance. You can find more opportunities like this in the internships and traineeships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ESA Bringing Lost Asteroids Back internship based?
The internship is based at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy, within ESA's Operations Directorate. The vacancy lists Frascati, IT as the workplace.
What is the deadline to apply?
The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. Applications are submitted through the ESA careers website.
What will I work on during this internship?
You will contribute to a software tool that automatically searches existing observational databases for asteroid identifications. The aim is a prototype pipeline that compares known asteroid predictions against large collections of observations and highlights promising candidate matches for further analysis.
What will I learn?
You will learn how asteroid observations are used to determine and improve orbital solutions, how uncertainty in orbital predictions affects object identification, and how to design scalable scientific software. You will also learn to process large astronomical datasets and to turn a scientific concept into an operational tool.
What does the Planetary Defence Office do?
The Planetary Defence Office addresses the prediction and detection of the potential impact of a near-Earth object. Its tasks include issuing NEO impact warnings, providing access to the NEO database, performing additional observations and providing educational and outreach material.
Who can apply for this internship?
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.
Which skills do I need?
The vacancy asks for a degree track in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, planetary science or a related field, and solid Python skills with numpy, pandas and astropy. It also asks for basic familiarity with orbital mechanics and comfort with large datasets and simulations.
Which nationalities are eligible?
Applications are only considered from nationals of ESA's listed States, which include Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and 22 others named in the vacancy. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State, and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States, can apply as well.
How long does the internship last and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Which languages do I need?
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.
Is a background in near-Earth object science required?
No, familiarity with near-Earth object science or planetary defence concepts is listed as an asset, as are experience with data visualisation and statistical analysis and a background in celestial mechanics. Your motivation for applying to the role will also be explored during the interview.
How many ESA internship vacancies can I apply for?
One candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies, according to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships.
Does the vacancy state a stipend?
No. The vacancy does not state a stipend or allowance.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Full vacancy and application (Apply now): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Frascati-Intern-in-the-Space-Safety-Programme-Planetary-Defence-Office-Bringing-Lost-Asteroids-Back/1452797533/
📘 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
📧 ESA student internships contact (diversity and accessibility questions): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
