Intern in the Electrical Department - Data Handling Systems Section

Our team and mission

The Avionics and EEE Division plays a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and advancement of spacecraft avionics and component technologies. Its mission spans design assurance, qualification, and testing of EEE components, as well as radiation hardness assurance for space systems in its domain of responsibility. The division operates specialised laboratories and provides expertise to ESA projects, industry, and research partners. It actively disseminates knowledge through internal and external training, conference participation, and tutoring of PhD students, ESA Graduate Trainees (EGTs), and National Trainees, fostering innovation and professional growth.

Role: Intern in the Electrical Department - Data Handling Systems Section

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Type of Appointment: Intern

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Utilisation of neuromorphic for efficient AI implementation for space on-board Data Handling System applications.

Recent AI developments have primarily relied on large-scale GPU-based cloud infrastructures, but this approach faces challenges with latency, power consumption, and data privacy. To address these issues, there is an increasing shift toward edge AI. Upcoming ESA missions will require greater on-board autonomy, utilising smart sensors AI powered. However, SWaP constraints may require energy efficient solutions, particularly when deployed on rovers, probes, or landers. The proposed activity shall highlight how event-based processing, neuromorphic technology, could effectively address these limitations, enabling efficient object detection, classification, and tracking.

The proposed activity will identify use cases in which event-based, or neuromorphic, computing can outperform or complement artificial neural networks deployed on conventional FPGA, GPU, or TPU platforms. Key advantages include lower power consumption and reduced latency, particularly when event-based sensors, such as cameras, are paired with event processors. Whereas conventional frame cameras typically operate at 25–100 Hz, event-based cameras can achieve sampling rates of up to 1 MHz. Combining an event-based camera with an event processor can therefore significantly improve the tracking of fast-moving objects and operation in low-signal-to-noise conditions, such as low-light environments.

Relevant datasets will then be identified or, if real data are unavailable, generated using a digital twin. This approach is particularly suitable for debris detection, landing, and proximity operations such as docking, servicing, and capture.

Finally, a testbed based on Neuromorphyx boards will be deployed for laboratory demonstration. It will integrate a NeuroSight event-based camera (Prophesee GenX320) with a NeuroCore event inference engine (BrainChip AKD 1500).

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 following areas is an asset:

• AI knowledge;
• electronics.

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

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.