The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for an intern to join the Spaceship EAC Team at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Porz-Wahn, Germany, working on a hands-on innovation project for future human exploration of the Moon. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub we went through the full vacancy and set out every detail.
The Vacancy at a Glance
The internship sits in ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21122
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🗂️ Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration
📍 Workplace: Porz-Wahn, DE
🏢 Location: EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany
📣 Publication method: External Only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Our Team and Mission: Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA
The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (D/HRE) is the main ESA entity in charge of supporting and coordinating efforts towards the current and the future endeavours of human spaceflight. The exploration activities are part of the strategic plans in securing a central role for Europe with respect to the global initiatives.
The European Exploration Envelope Programme
The European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P) is integrating the ESA activities in this field to ensure a single exploration process. The strategy includes three destinations where humans will work with robots to gather new knowledge: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Moon, and Mars.
What Is Spaceship EAC?
The "Spaceship EAC" initiative is investigating low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies for supporting the future cislunar space mission as well as surface activities on the Moon as part of the Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team. This multidisciplinary, innovation-driven team is composed of researchers, graduate and undergraduate students and is based at the ESA European Astronaut Centre (EAC).
Enhance, Enable and Inspire
The mission statement of Spaceship EAC is centred on three main pillars: enhance, enable and inspire. The founding idea behind the initiative is to enhance the capabilities of EAC by exploiting the spaceflight experience of the centre to develop and validate new operational concepts and valuable technologies in support of future human exploration scenarios. A pragmatic and research-focused approach is adopted, and knowledge acquired is disseminated within ESA, partners and the relevant scientific community.
Part of a Larger Spaceship Initiative
Spaceship EAC is one node of the larger Spaceship Initiative team, with locations at ECSAT, France and Poland.
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Fields Where Spaceship EAC Carries Out Projects
Within Spaceship EAC, the team works on projects in a number of fields:
🥽 demonstrating disruptive technologies such as Virtual/Augmented Reality, collaborative robotics and their potential use cases for exploration
⛏️ investigating novel concepts in the domain of Space Resources/In-Situ Resource Utilisation, to enable sustainable human exploration
🏭 using advanced manufacturing methodologies, such as additive manufacturing, for projects within the centre and for space exploration
🩺 developing new ideas around medical technologies, for example, using machine learning techniques to support long-term exploration
🏠 topics related to 'off-world living', for example human factors, design and concept illustration
🫀 Crew Health and Performance Technologies and Knowledge build-up
The LUNA Facility at EAC
The Spaceship team is also involved in supporting the development of the new LUNA facility at EAC. This facility will serve as a central hub for lunar exploration preparations at ESA and DLR. It features a 700 sqm lunar surface testbed, facilitating the development and validation of operational concepts, astronaut training, and technology demonstrations for Moon exploration.
An Analogue Moon Base
The facility will also showcase elements of an analogue Moon base, such as a habitat/laboratory module and a regenerative energy system, among others.
Who the Team Is Looking For
The team is continually looking for innovative applicants with skills or interests in these areas to join Spaceship EAC. An outline of some of the projects recently progressed can be found on the ESA blog. For more information on Spaceship EAC internships, the vacancy points to the Spaceship EAC blog (Spaceship EAC, ESA, Exploration). Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed in the Links section below.
Field of Activity for the Internship
You will support the innovation team that is Spaceship EAC, working to further develop and advance the projects of the team.
Background and Motivation
The Spaceship EAC team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join its projects and contribute to ESA's exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are:
🔋 energy production and storage
☢️ radiation shielding
🪨 In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)
🕶️ VR/AR technologies for exploration
📟 embedded systems and IoT
🏋️ exercise hardware and countermeasure concepts
🧠 machine learning for exploration
🤖 robotics and human factors
🎨 conceptual illustration/design
Objectives
As a member of the team, you will be asked to work on a project relevant to the topical areas above, advancing the project with the team and contributing to the overall Spaceship EAC environment.
Methodology and Tasks
The internship will integrate into the existing Spaceship EAC/LUNA team at ESA and work on a specific project in the domains listed. The Spaceship approach relies heavily on practical engineering and proof-of-concept demonstration, adopting an agile, skunkworks-type mindset. The project will demand a high degree of flexibility and creativity, in line with the innovation focus of Spaceship work.
Expected Outcomes
You will help advance a specific Spaceship EAC project as well as become involved in the larger team. You will provide the technical outputs, prototypes and relevant documentation as a final deliverable to the team.
Why This Work Matters
Spaceships exist as part of the ExPeRT team and are integral in early-stage practical demonstration of low-TRL technologies and concepts. These projects are then commonly advanced to higher TRL activities via other mechanisms within ESA or externally, for example in cooperation with research teams. Spaceship projects can also directly support activities at their home centre, for example EAC at Cologne, enabling new capabilities at the centre. Spaceship activities align with the broad objectives of the E3P and are enabling elements for low-TRL activities within the programme.
Duration and Start Date
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an ESA internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027 onwards, with the exact start date agreed with the ESA tutor.
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.
Backgrounds That Are Welcome
Knowledge and background in mechanical engineering, materials, computer science, life science, VR/AR development, industrial design or other relevant backgrounds are welcome.
Which Nationalities Can Apply
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.
Behavioural Competencies
Six behavioural competencies are listed. For more information, the vacancy refers candidates to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
🎯 Result Orientation
⚡ Operational Efficiency
🙋 Fostering Cooperation
🧩 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🔭 Forward Thinking
Selection: Motivation Interview and Tests
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.
Export Control and Sanctions Eligibility
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
How Many Vacancies You Can Apply For
ESA's 2027 student internship announcement states that a candidate can apply for a maximum of two 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.
Support for Applicants With Disabilities
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 its contact address is listed in the Links section below.
A Note on the Published Conditions
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.
Applying Through the Official ESA Careers Page
Applications go through ESA's own careers website, and the full vacancy text is published there. You can find more opportunities like this one in the internships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Spaceship EAC Team internship about?
The intern joins the innovation-driven Spaceship EAC team at ESA's European Astronaut Centre and works on a specific project in areas such as energy, radiation shielding, ISRU, VR/AR, embedded systems, machine learning, robotics and conceptual design. The internship integrates into the existing Spaceship EAC/LUNA team and ends with technical outputs, prototypes and documentation.
Where is the internship based?
The location is listed as EAC in Porz-Wahn, Germany, and the workplace as Porz-Wahn, DE.
What is Spaceship EAC?
Spaceship EAC is an initiative investigating low-TRL technologies to support future cislunar missions and surface activities on the Moon. It is part of the ExPeRT team, and its mission rests on three pillars: enhance, enable and inspire.
What is the LUNA facility?
LUNA is a new facility at EAC that will serve as a central hub for lunar exploration preparations at ESA and DLR. It features a 700 sqm lunar surface testbed and will showcase elements of an analogue Moon base, such as a habitat/laboratory module and a regenerative energy system.
What will I deliver at the end of the internship?
You will provide the technical outputs, prototypes and relevant documentation as a final deliverable to the team, while helping advance a specific Spaceship EAC project.
Who can apply in terms of education?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. You must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the whole duration of the internship.
Which backgrounds are welcome?
Knowledge and background in mechanical engineering, materials, computer science, life science, VR/AR development, industrial design or other relevant backgrounds are welcome.
Which nationalities can apply?
Applications are only considered from nationals of ESA's listed 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.
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.
How long does the internship last?
According to ESA's 2027 student internship announcement, ESA internships last 3 to 6 months and start from February 2027 onwards, with the start date agreed with the ESA tutor.
How many internship vacancies can I apply for?
A candidate can apply for a maximum of two vacancies, according to ESA's 2027 student internship announcement.
Does the vacancy mention an allowance?
The vacancy page does not state any allowance or stipend. It also does not mention Erasmus+.
What happens after I apply?
The Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests during the recruitment process. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
What is the application deadline?
The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026 (23:59 CET/CEST)
Links
🔗 Job description and application: https://jobs.esa.int/job/Porz-Wahn-Intern-in-the-Spaceship-EAC-Team/1452993533/
🌐 European Space Agency: http://www.esa.int
📋 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
📨 ESA Human Resources (disability support and recruitment assistance): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
