Inner Solar Systems Missions Operations Unit | Darmstadt

The Head of the Division is responsible for coordinating the operations definition phase activities for ESA mission candidates in phase 0 or phase A/B1. This is performed with the relevant operations divisions in OPS-O and ground segment experts in OPS-G.

The Head of the Solar System and Exploration Division also functionally reports to D/HRE as the Lead Operations Architect for the Exploration Programme. In this role, the Head of the Division leads the Joint Exploration Operations Architecture Team, composed of members from the HRE, OPS and SCI Directorates.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

The topic of the internship: Telemetry bit rate optimization during a ground station pass

The Telemetry bit rate to be used during each ground station pass is calculated by making use of the Link Budget Tool and it is known for all the passes until the end of the mission. Currently, the telemetry bit rate is not optimized along the pass, and therefore a bit rate that covers the worst case (under fixed weather conditions) has to be chosen. One factor that influences the bit rate is the elevation. The signal-to-noise ratio (quality of the link) improves with increasing elevation. Many ground station passes for Solar Orbiter are scheduled such that the start of the track coincides with the start of visibility above 10 degrees elevation. The TM bit rate selected for the whole pass should be such that the minimum telemetry margin is satisfied for the 10-degree elevation case. The purpose of this activity is to propose a fixed elevation threshold above which it makes generally sense to use a higher telemetry bit rate, to calculate the new telemetry rate to be used for the remaining ground station passes in the mission, and to perform the necessary changes in the ground tools (Mission Planning System) to generate the related planning products (commands, ground station configuration, planning files). The activity will be based on the work developed in the interplanetary operations division by a previous trainee.
Learning areas from these activities will be: Mission design, Mission operations, spacecraft telecommunications, Mission Planning, Mission Control System, and Automation.

Required Qualifications

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a university course at the Master’s level and you need to remain 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 Member State language would be an asset.

Competencies: Bash, Python, familiarity with Linux environment, familiarity with the concept of APIs, some knowledge in S/C telecommunications, experience with Java (optional).