The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the NovaMoon project in its Future Missions Department at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: you would join an ESA-internal R&D team working on lunar and Martian navigation, with a focus on three payload areas of the NovaMoon mission: navigation signal monitoring, time transfer and the generation of differential corrections.
ESA NovaMoon Project Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20996
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🚀 Directorate: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Future Missions Department - NoovaMoon Project
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Team and Mission: Future PNT Projects Division
The internship sits in the Future PNT Projects Division (RNC-FF). The Division leads the coordination of all Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) contributions in the context of future lunar, Martian and Solar System exploration.
Programmes Behind the Work
The Division implements this work through several programmes:
🛰️ Lunar Pathfinder satellite, which includes a GNSS demonstration payload.
🌕 Moonlight Programme, which involves the development of a GNSS-like lunar constellation, in addition to communication services.
🔭 NovaMoon Mission, which aims to deploy a lunar station at the south pole of the Moon to monitor and augment GNSS-like lunar constellations, provide timing services and perform scientific experiments.
🔴 The planned future MARCONI Mars-dedicated communication and navigation system, currently under assessment.
The ESA-Internal R&D Team You Would Join
To support ESA's internal capability to follow up on these activities, the Division has established an ESA-internal R&D team fully dedicated to lunar and Martian navigation system engineering and performance analysis. This includes the development of specialised advanced exploration simulation models and tools, carried out in close collaboration with the ESA Technical Directorate.
As part of this internship, you will join this internal R&D group, contributing to the analysis of on-going programme activities and the development of future advanced PNT concepts for planetary exploration with a focus on the NovaMoon mission.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
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Field of Activity: Three Key Areas of the NovaMoon Payload
This internship offers the opportunity to contribute to the NovaMoon mission, with a focus on three key areas of the payload:
📶 Navigation signal monitoring.
⏱️ Time transfer.
🧮 The generation of differential corrections.
What You Will Do During the Internship
As an intern, you will have the following tasks:
📚 Review state-of-the-art time-transfer techniques, navigation signal monitoring strategies, and differential correction methods for lunar navigation missions such as NovaMoon.
💻 Contribute to the development of ESA software tools and simulation capabilities used to assess candidate models and processing approaches, including software-defined radio receivers for signal processing and positioning, navigation, and timing engines.
🔧 Take part in hands-on laboratory activities to design and set up a representative testbed aligned with the simulation environment.
🧪 Plan and conduct a test campaign to evaluate system performance under representative laboratory conditions.
📝 Document the test approach and results, and present the key findings and recommendations to the engineering team.
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 and Interview 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.
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Skills and Background That Count as an Asset
The vacancy lists the following as assets:
🛰️ Knowledge and background in satellite radio-navigation systems.
📍 Knowledge and background in position estimation and/or sensor fusion.
📡 Knowledge and background in signal processing, GNSS receivers and software-defined radio.
🐍 Good knowledge of and experience with Python.
Behavioural Competencies
ESA assesses candidates against its Core Behavioural Competencies. The vacancy lists these six:
🎯 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.
Which Nationalities Can Apply?
Please note 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.
Duration, Start Date and Application Limit
According to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships, an internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027 onwards. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
A candidate can apply for up to two ESA internship opportunities.
Selection Tests
During the recruitment process, the Agency may 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.
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.
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. The contact email for this is listed at the end of this post.
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 an allowance for this internship.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA NovaMoon project internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Future PNT Projects Division (RNC-FF) of the Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity Directorate.
What is the NovaMoon mission?
According to the vacancy, the NovaMoon Mission aims to deploy a lunar station at the south pole of the Moon to monitor and augment GNSS-like lunar constellations, provide timing services and perform scientific experiments.
What will I work on during the internship?
You would contribute to the NovaMoon mission with a focus on three payload areas: navigation signal monitoring, time transfer, and the generation of differential corrections. Tasks include reviewing state-of-the-art techniques, contributing to ESA software tools and simulations, setting up a laboratory testbed, running a test campaign, and presenting findings to the engineering team.
Which team would I join?
You would join an ESA-internal R&D team fully dedicated to lunar and Martian navigation system engineering and performance analysis. It develops specialised advanced exploration simulation models and tools in close collaboration with the ESA Technical Directorate.
Who is eligible to 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 States listed in the vacancy.
Which skills are an asset?
The vacancy lists knowledge of satellite radio-navigation systems, position estimation and/or sensor fusion, signal processing, GNSS receivers and software-defined radio, and good knowledge of and experience with Python.
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 long is the internship and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, internships last 3 to 6 months and begin from February 2027 onwards. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
How many ESA internships can I apply for?
A candidate can apply for up to two ESA internship opportunities, according to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships.
What happens after I apply?
The Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Do I need to be eligible for export control and sanctions regulations?
Yes. Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
Does the vacancy mention a stipend?
The vacancy does not state an allowance for this internship. ESA notes that the information on its careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication but is not intended to be exhaustive.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply now (ESA vacancy 20996): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Future-Missions-Department-NoovaMoon-Project/1452922433/
📰 ESA Student Internships 2027: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌌 ESA website: https://www.esa.int
📧 Contact for disability support: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
