Intern in the Engineering Services Section - Metrology Laboratory

Intern in the Engineering Services Section - Metrology Laboratory: Topic of the internship: Investigation of Point Cloud Post-Processing Methodologies for Space-Grade Materials with Application to Satellite Mock-Up Reverse Engineering

Our team and mission

ESA operates a Test Centre at ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, a unique place in Europe which is geared to perform environmental tests on large spacecraft and aerospace structures. The Test Centre includes the complete portfolio of test facilities to simulate the environmental conditions which are experienced by a spacecraft during its launch and early operation phase. This includes hydraulic and electrodynamic vibration test systems, shock test facilities, mass properties measurement facilities, electro-magnetic compatibility test facilities. Besides Europe’s largest space simulation chamber LSS and Europe’s largest reverberant acoustic noise test chamber, the Test Centre is equipped with a 6 degree of freedom hydraulic vibration test stand, a 320kN horizontal and a 640kN vertical electrodynamic shaker system and a large EMC test chamber. The set of facilities is complemented by a medium sized thermal vacuum chamber (Phenix), a small vacuum chamber with high solar flux simulation (VTC 1.5), a 80kN vibrations system and shock test benches for subsystem and equipment testing.

Part of the Test Centre is the Engineering Services Section. The group encompasses multidisciplinary engineering domains, ranging from mechanical, electrical and electronic design up to metrology. Calibrations of electrical equipment and manufacturing are also areas covered by the Engineering Services Section, whose mission is to support the Test Centre and its customers, the ESTEC laboratories as well as the ESA programmes.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

As part of the measurements done by the metrology team, point clouds are generated and need to be processed, depending on the final application. The point clouds are generated from different sources, ranging from photogrammetry cameras to laser tracker or Coordinate Measurement Machines (CMM). The density of the point clouds varies clearly based on their source. Whereas in some cases, “simple” plane fittings are required, in other applications, more is required to be extracted from the collected point clouds.

The topic of the internship is the processing of the point clouds. It will consist of a theoretical part and a practical part.

Theoretical Part

Conduct a comprehensive literature review of existing methodologies for point cloud processing, including filtering, classification, segmentation, feature extraction, and other relevant post-processing techniques.

Practical Part

Investigate the performance of point cloud post-processing methods on a range of space-grade materials through experimental testing. Reference measurements will be acquired using a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) and compared with data obtained from laser scanning technologies, such as a CMM scanner probe, laser tracker scanner probe and/or laser radar. Test materials may include mesh, multi-layer insulation (MLI), carbon fibre composites, aluminium, and steel.

Finally, apply the acquired theoretical knowledge and practical experience to reverse engineering the Robotics Laboratory satellite mock-up, producing the most accurate and complete digital representation possible.

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

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.

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.

Knowledge and background in the use of metrological tools, as well as hands-on experience in a laboratory, are assets.

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Important Information and Disclaimer

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.

Nationality

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.