ESA Graduate Trainee in Data-Handling Concept Development for CubeSat FlatSat Facility

 

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands 

Our team and mission

The Data Systems, Microelectronics and Component Technology Division carries out all the tasks related to ESA project support and technology development activities in its area of responsibility. This includes on-board computers and data-handling systems (such as mass memories and instrument control units) for payloads and platforms, microelectronics (such as FPGAs and ASICs), Artificial Neural Networks, AI and Machine learning, Cubesat activities, wireless technologies and all technologies related to the EEE component family (such as Si, photonics, passives).

 

In terms of technology development, we seek to develop state-of-the-art technologies to support future ESA space missions in space science, Earth observation, human spaceflight, telecommunication, navigation, space transportation, operations and space engineering and technology.

 

The candidate will be integrated into the On-Board Computer & Data Handling Section of the Data Systems, Microelectronics & Component Technology Division at ESTEC.

 

The On-Board Computer & Data Handling Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) what concerns turn-key on-board HW Data Handling and processing solutions with emphasis on:

 

• platform and payload data handling architectures and their building blocks (equipment/units, modules and key components);
• units such as on-board computers, mass memories, remote terminals, instrument control units*;
• digital and analogue signal processing electronics for payload/platform functions;
• front-end acquisition and processing chain electronics*;
• on-board data transfer interfaces, buses and associated protocols (high and low speed);
• platform data handling functions related to security, data authentication, encryption, compression;
• use of microelectronics devices (including COTS)
• implementation, inference, verification and validation of algorithms ** on processing HW platforms for space applications* in close collaboration with other discipline experts (software, microelectronics and applications engineers).

 

* except for RF payloads.
** including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms.
 

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

The CubeSat FlatSat is one of the lab facilities maintained by the On-Board Computers and Data-Handling section in ESA. This facility contains all the subsystems present in actual CubeSat missions (for example On-Board Computer, Telemetry and Telecommand Subsystem, Payload Processing Unit etc.) and can be used for testing all the data-handling concepts expected in real operations. Generic information about the FlatSat can be found here: ESA - Opened-out ‘FlatSat’ for CubeSat testing

 

Although the FlatSat is being used since a few years to implement and test certain Command and Data-Handling capabilities, a number of ideas or features are still missing, or might be expanded upon. Those include among others:

 

• Development of Mission Operation Center for the FlatSat,
• Extending the Payload capabilities of the FlatSat by integrating new payloads,
• Development of a Payload processing chain (i.e. implement payload data transfer with dedicated radio link)
• Development of software components for the On-Board Computer of the FlatSat (i.e. file system, fault detection etc.)

 

All the aforementioned tasks/developments can be considered fully technical and hands-on, and require practical knowledge related to embedded systems.

On top of implementing selected technical topics, the EGT will be responsible also for general management of the CubeSat FlatSat, and maintaining the documentations of the activity.

Technical competencies

Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domainsRelevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activitiesGeneral knowledge of the space sector and relevant activitiesKnowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

 

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guideb