The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the RISE mission in the Mission Implementation Division of its Space Safety Programme 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: the internship helps prepare an in-orbit servicing mission that will autonomously rendezvous with and capture an active satellite in geostationary orbit.
ESA RISE Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21067
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Operations
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Space Safety Programme - Mission Implementation Division (RISE)
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Inside 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.
The department also addresses basic approaches to mitigate these hazards and to implement space systems end-to-end in a sustainable and eco-compatible way. Moreover, several corner stone 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)
Your Environment in the Mission Implementation Division
Within the Space Safety Missions Implementation Division, you will operate in a dynamic, international environment where new mission concepts become real spacecraft. You will contribute to missions in their detailed design, development, integration and operational preparation phases (Phase B2/C/D).
The focus is on active debris removal and in-orbit servicing, two fast-growing fields that are redefining how spacecraft are maintained and how crowded orbits are managed.
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Technologies the Missions Develop and Demonstrate
These missions develop and demonstrate technologies for:
🤝 Rendezvous
🔍 Inspection
🦾 Capture
⏱️ Life extension
📍 Relocation
🌠 De-orbiting
🔧 Repair
You will collaborate with experienced ESA specialists and innovative European companies, gaining a close-up view of both cutting-edge engineering and the emerging commercial market for sustainable space services.
The vacancy invites interested candidates to visit the ESA website, listed in the Links section below.
Field of Activity: The RISE Mission
RISE: help prepare an ambitious in-orbit servicing mission that will autonomously rendezvous with and capture an active satellite in geostationary orbit.
The spacecraft will temporarily take over the satellite's attitude and orbit control before moving on to service its first commercial customer, demonstrating how satellite life can be extended in practice.
What You Will Learn
Throughout the internship, you will learn how a complex space mission is developed end to end, how systems engineers turn mission goals into coherent technical solutions, and how multidisciplinary teams make decisions under real programme constraints.
You will strengthen your ability to communicate technical information clearly, work collaboratively and apply system thinking to an operational space project.
This is an opportunity to make a visible contribution to a real mission while learning from experts at the forefront of sustainable spaceflight.
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.
Languages 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.
Who Will Thrive in This Internship
You will thrive in this internship if you are curious about debris removal and in-orbit servicing, enjoy working with others and are ready to take initiative.
The vacancy welcomes students who are eager to learn, ask thoughtful questions and contribute ideas.
A background in space systems engineering would be an asset, but enthusiasm for complex space missions and a strong willingness to learn are equally important.
Six-Month Commitment
Due to the nature of the post, a commitment of six months is preferred, depending on the candidate's availability.
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.
Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
Selection Tests
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
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.
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 RISE internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Mission Implementation Division of the Space Safety Programme and the Operations Directorate.
What is the RISE mission?
RISE is an ambitious in-orbit servicing mission that will autonomously rendezvous with and capture an active satellite in geostationary orbit. The spacecraft will temporarily take over the satellite's attitude and orbit control before moving on to service its first commercial customer, demonstrating how satellite life can be extended in practice.
What will I do during the internship?
The vacancy states that the internship helps prepare the RISE mission. Throughout the internship, you will learn how a complex space mission is developed end to end, how systems engineers turn mission goals into coherent technical solutions, and how multidisciplinary teams make decisions under real programme constraints.
What will I learn?
You will strengthen your ability to communicate technical information clearly, work collaboratively and apply system thinking to an operational space project. The vacancy describes the role as an opportunity to make a visible contribution to a real mission while learning from experts at the forefront of sustainable spaceflight.
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, or an applicant from Canada, Bulgaria, Croatia or Malta as described above.
Do I need a background in space systems engineering?
A background in space systems engineering would be an asset, according to the vacancy, but enthusiasm for complex space missions and a strong willingness to learn are equally important.
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. Due to the nature of the post, the vacancy states that a commitment of six months is preferred, depending on the candidate's availability.
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 21067): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Space-Safety-Programme-Mission-Implementation-Division-%28RISE%29/1452795233/
📰 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
