Internship within Space Engineering: Extension of simulator prototype for Precise Orbit Determination

Job description

Internship within Space Engineering: Extension of simulator prototype for Precise Orbit Determination

Airbus Defence and Space Friedrichshafen (ex Cassidian)

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017, it generated revenues of € 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 130,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as Europe's number one space enterprise and the world's second largest space business. 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.

Description of the job

Are you looking for an internship? Would you like to discover the work of a Space Engineer? Then apply now! We look forward to you joining us as an intern (m/f) (35 hours/week, flexi-time).

Location: Friedrichshafen
Start: October / November
Duration: 6 months

You will be part of the AOCS GNS & Flight Dynamics department, which is responsible for the development and analysis of Attitude & Orbit Control Systems of satellites as well as for the development of operational solutions in the frame of Flight Dynamics. A broad variety of projects are covered, from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to interplanetary missions, which are mainly financed by public institutions like ESA or DLR.
The department is currently interested in growing its know-how in the field of Precise Orbit Determination (POD) of LEO satellites. In this respect you will continue the work initiated last year to lay the foundation for the future support of POD activities.
The development of a prototype tool aiming at performing POD is to be continued. It is written in Matlab language and integrated into the existing software. Your main task will be to understand the architecture and the needs of such a tool and to program a solution. A clean, organised coding approach is expected.
First you will have to become familiar with the existing software environment and the goal of the tool. Then concepts like orbit determination, space environment, mathematical optimisation and estimation theory will be gradually implemented into the prototype. Since the prototype will be the work of several people, a great attention shall be put on the software architecture and its documentation, such that it can be easily extended. The code shall be properly tested according to the standards of the department.
The tool should be designed such that it can be easily rewritten in a more efficient programming language; therefore knowledge of object-oriented languages like C++ or Java is appreciated.

Internships at Airbus

Desired profile

Tasks & accountabilities

·  Work with high precision orbit mechanics
·  Take over the development of a new software
·  Acquire an in-depth insight into current proprietary analysis tools for orbit mechanics

Required skills

You offer:

·  Enrolled student within Aerospace Engineering, Information Technoloy or similar field of study
·  Experience in Matlab programming
·  Knowledge of object-oriented languages like C++ or Java
·  Mathematical background
·  Interest in space environment, flight dynamics
·  English: fluent (Documentation in English)

You are a good team player, have excellent communication skills, and are able to work independently.