INTERNSHIP 2021 – GNC performances of Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission (m/f)

Job description

Airbus Defence and Space SAS

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2019 it generated revenues of € 70.5 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Our people work with passion and determination to make the world a more connected, safer and smarter place. Taking pride in our work, we draw on each other's expertise and experience to achieve excellence. Our diversity and teamwork culture propel us to accomplish the extraordinary - on the ground, in the sky and in space.

Job Description

What if you start your journey with us!

As part of a school curriculum in initial training , you are looking for a mandatory internship or integrated into a gap year that will allow you to validate your studies. The internship duration is 4 to 6 months maximum.

We offer you to work in a world-leading company which is at the heart of a digital transformation, at the cutting edge of research and innovation. We are looking for an “ GNC performances of Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) for the Mars Sample Return mission” intern (m/f) who will be joining us at Airbus Defence & Space site in Toulouse .

This internship is to be filled from March 2021(hire dates are subject to certain flexibility).

Airbus Defence & Space develops the Guidance, Navigation and Control system (GNC) of the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) which is the ESA part of the Mars Sample Return campaign in collaboration with NASA. It consists in sending the ERO spacecraft towards Mars, performing a rendezvous with the Mars orbiting samples and bringing them back to Earth safely. This ambitious mission aims at capturing the Mars orbiting sample based on optical navigation. The feasibility and success of the mission is based on a robust and highly-performing GNC system in particular during the rendezvous phase which is crucial in the success of the global mission.

You will be joining the department « AOCS, GNC and Flight dynamics» which activities include development activities on AOCS (Attitude and Orbital Control Systems), GNC and Flight Dynamics for key Airbus programs (Astrobus, Eurostar, OneSat, MSR-ERO, Juice) for Earth observation, science and telecom mission.

This position will require a security clearance or will require being eligible for clearance by the recognized authorities.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

You will be working under the supervision of your manager who will help you identify your professional objectives and support you in the development of your skills.

The internship consists in taking part in the analysis of GNC performance and the functional validation of the navigation algorithms, the estimated attitude and the control laws of the spacecraft, in order to fulfil the requirements of the mission and by taking into account the various constraints related to the satellite: attitude dynamics, configuration and performance of the sensors and actuators, rendezvous constraints, etc…

The intern will have to acquire the specificities of the mission applicable to the GNC in which it will have to deal with: the attitude acquisition mode, the high efficiency and normal mode with advanced control and estimation algorithms dealing with large appendages flexible modes, attitude operations dealing with fluid sloshing in large tanks, rendezvous aspects, navigation filter etc.… Within this framework, the successful applicant will have to analyse prototype (through satellite simulators developed with Matlab) and validate solutions making it possible to hold the specifications of pointing, stability and robustness.

Required skills:

You are preparing a Master in Engineering or equivalent with a specialization in space systems and you have the following competences:

- Good knowledge of Automatic & Control and filtering, dynamics of the satellites,

- Good knowledge of general mechanical engineering, Data processing and analysis skills,

- Good knowledge of Unix, language C, Matlab/Simulink,

- Languages: advanced level of both French and English.

Soft skills:

- Rigorous, curious and autonomous,

- Good interpersonal and communication skills,

- Able to integrate into a team and be a flexible team player,

- Able to analyze and to synthesize information.

You will develop the following skills:

- Working inside an engineering team that develops high technical products for a large panel of spacecraft missions,

- Knowledge of spacecraft missions main system drivers and specifications,

- Good understanding of main AOCS design principles, as well as avionics hardware,

- Closed-loop systems modelling and simulation performance on numerical bench,

- Technical writing.

If your profile catches our attention, you will be invited to perform a video interview during which you will have a few minutes to tell us about your background, motivations and your professional project. Afterwards, your application could be proposed to the managers for further review.

If the prospect of joining our innovative Group motivates you do not hesitate and apply online on our website www.airbus.com/careers !

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.
Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.