The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Lunar Science Office at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, to assess candidate landing sites for future robotic exploration missions to the Moon. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: the internship supports ongoing work on the PROSPECT mission and Europe's Argonaut lunar lander programme, using lunar remote sensing data and terrain information to characterise landing sites and surface operations areas.
ESA Lunar Landing Site Assessment Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21121
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🚀 Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Lunar Science Office - Landing Site Assessment for Future Robotic Exploration Missions
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Your Team: The Lunar Science Office (HRE-SL)
Within the Exploration Science Office, the Lunar Science Office Team (HRE-SL) is responsible for scientific activities at the Moon in ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate.
What the Team's Lunar Science Emphasises
The vacancy lists five areas of emphasis for these activities:
⛏️ Understanding lunar resources and their potential for the future
🌌 Understanding the lunar environment, its effects on human activities and the impact of human activities on the environment
🏠 Preparing for future habitation at the Moon
🩺 Working with other teams to support research into crew health and performance
🔭 Preparing opportunities to utilise the Moon as a unique location for scientific research and an archive of Solar System history
How the Team Supports Exploration Missions
The team provides expert support to projects in areas relating to landing sites and the lunar environment and how these affect exploration missions. Its activities operate across the missions and platforms of ESA, international partners, and new commercial actors.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed at the end of this post.
The Internship Topic: Landing Site Assessment for the Moon
The Lunar Science Office at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, is offering an internship opportunity focused on the assessment of candidate landing sites for future robotic exploration missions to the Moon.
Supporting PROSPECT and Argonaut
The work will support ongoing activities related to the PROSPECT mission, which aims to investigate water and other volatile materials near the lunar poles, and Argonaut, Europe's lunar lander programme. These activities contribute to the preparation of future scientific and exploration missions on the lunar surface.
Your Role: Characterising Landing Sites and Surface Operations Areas
During this internship, you will contribute to the characterization of potential landing sites and surface operations areas through the analysis of lunar remote sensing data and terrain information. You will work with a variety of datasets to identify and assess landing and mobility hazards, investigate geological and geomorphological features, and support mission planning activities.
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What Your Work May Include
Depending on your background and interests, your work may include:
🪨 Identification and mapping of landing hazards such as impact craters, boulders, steep slopes, and rough terrain
🗺️ Geological and geomorphological mapping of candidate exploration regions
📡 Analysis and interpretation of lunar remote sensing datasets
🚙 Surface mobility studies and rover traverse planning using Geographic Information System software
🤖 Development of machine learning or deep learning approaches for automated feature detection and classification
🧮 Numerical modelling of surface conditions relevant to landing site safety and mission operations
📋 Support to the generation of scientific and operational products used in mission planning and decision making
What You Will Gain From the Internship
Through this internship, you will:
🌑 Gain an understanding of lunar geology and the processes that have shaped the lunar surface
🧭 Become familiar with lunar remote sensing datasets and planetary mapping techniques
🔍 Learn methods for detecting and characterising surface features such as craters, boulders, and roughness elements
🖥️ Develop practical experience with Geographic Information System tools for planetary exploration applications
📊 Acquire skills in scientific data analysis, machine learning, or numerical modelling, depending on the selected project
📐 Understand how scientific observations are translated into mission requirements and operational constraints for robotic exploration missions
🏛️ Gain first-hand experience within an international space mission environment and contribute to activities supporting future European lunar exploration
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.
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 Additional 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.
Priority Fields of Study and Helpful Experience
Priority will be given to candidates pursuing a degree in planetary science, geology, geophysics, remote sensing, geography, physics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
Experience with data analysis, programming, machine learning, numerical modelling, or Geographic Information System software would be an advantage.
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.
Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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 and Export Control
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
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 Lunar Science Office internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC, the European Space Research and Technology Centre, in Noordwijk, Netherlands. It sits within the Lunar Science Office Team (HRE-SL) in ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate.
What is the internship about?
It is about the assessment of candidate landing sites for future robotic exploration missions to the Moon. The work supports activities related to the PROSPECT mission and Argonaut, Europe's lunar lander programme.
What will I work on during the internship?
You will contribute to characterising potential landing sites and surface operations areas by analysing lunar remote sensing data and terrain information. Depending on your background and interests, this may include hazard mapping, geological mapping, rover traverse planning with GIS software, machine learning for feature detection, or numerical modelling.
What is the PROSPECT mission?
According to the vacancy, PROSPECT is a mission that aims to investigate water and other volatile materials near the lunar poles. The internship supports ongoing activities related to it.
What will I learn?
You will gain an understanding of lunar geology, become familiar with remote sensing datasets and planetary mapping techniques, and develop practical experience with GIS tools. You will also learn how scientific observations are translated into mission requirements and operational constraints for robotic exploration missions.
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 degrees are prioritised?
Priority is given to candidates pursuing a degree in planetary science, geology, geophysics, remote sensing, geography, physics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or a related field. Experience with data analysis, programming, machine learning, numerical modelling, or GIS software would be an advantage.
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.
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 21121): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Lunar-Science-Office-Landing-Site-Assessment-for-Future-Robotic-Exploration-Missions/1452992733/
📰 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
