About the Professional Internship
Module 6 (M6-INT) consists of a professional internship in the space sector. This component provides students with practical work experience, networking opportunities, and the chance to apply their academic learning in a real-world setting at a Host Institution.
⏱️ Duration & Timeline
Minimum: 12 weeks (3 months)
Maximum: 24 weeks (6 months)
Start Date: On or after 29 June 2026
Internships can be conducted on-site or remotely if necessary.
📊 Assessment Breakdown
- 🔹 20% Performance & Progress
- 🔹 40% Internship Report
- 🔹 40% Internship Defense
📦 Key Deliverables
Monthly Progress Reports
Formal 1-2 page reports submitted every 30 days to your ISU and Host supervisors to track activities and project plan alignment.
Internship Report
A detailed document of 30-40 pages describing your internship work, host institution, and professional/personal gains.
Internship Defense
A 45-minute oral examination held on Zoom: 15-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute faculty question and answer session.
🎓 Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
Students with significant prior professional experience may be eligible to fulfill module requirements through APL. Discuss this option with your Academic Advisor for more details.
Internship Opportunities
Explore these potential host institutions for your Module 6 professional internship. Please verify current application windows and eligibility criteria on the respective portals.
European Space Agency (ESA)
📍 Sites across Europe (France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy etc.)
Student Internships 2026
Focus: Engineering, science and business fields. Students work alongside ESA staff on real projects.
Eligibility: Enrolled in 2nd-last or final year of Master’s. Citizenship of an ESA Member or Cooperating State required. Allowance provided (€500-€800/month).
Applications close Nov 30, 2025.
Apply via ESA Careers Portal →European Astronaut Centre (EAC)
📍 Cologne, Germany
Spaceship EAC, Space Medicine & XR Training
Focus: Astronaut training support, VR tools, machine-learning for planetary materials, and IT systems.
Eligibility: Must meet ESA student internship criteria. Search for keyword "Porz-Wahn" on the portal.
Check EAC site for project details.
Search EAC Positions →German Aerospace Center (DLR)
📍 Various German Institutes
Student & Doctoral Internships
Focus: Aeronautics, space, energy and transport research.
Eligibility: Enrolled students worldwide. Compulsory and voluntary internships possible. Remote from abroad not offered.
Applications accepted year-round.
DLR Student Portal →CNES (French National Centre for Space Studies)
📍 Toulouse, Paris, etc.
Engineering & Science Internships
Focus: Space engineering, mission planning, and communications.
Eligibility: Final year engineering/university students. Must be part of the curriculum (tripartite agreement).
Opportunities posted from September.
CNES Careers Portal →UK Space Agency (UKSA)
📍 United Kingdom
Skills for Space Internship Programme
Focus: Paid placements across UK space companies in engineering, data, and outreach.
Eligibility: Undergraduates in 2nd or 3rd year. Host orgs may have security requirements.
Applications open Spring 2026.
Skills for Space Info →CERN
📍 Geneva, Switzerland
Short-Term Internships & Summer Programme
Focus: Engineering, IT, and science teams assisting in accelerator operations.
Eligibility: Nationals of CERN Member/Associate Member States. Enrolled full-time. Allowance of ~CHF 1,600/month.
Summer app deadline: Jan 2026.
CERN Careers →JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
📍 Sites across Japan
JAXA Student Internship Programme
Focus: Join research teams at JAXA centers worldwide.
Eligibility: Tertiary students inside/outside Japan. Must apply via home university (MOU required). No compensation provided.
App deadline: Approx April 30.
JAXA Internship Info →NASA International Internship (I²)
📍 NASA Centers, USA
NASA I² for ISU Students
Focus: Hands-on research on NASA projects.
Eligibility: Requires home country agreement with NASA (e.g., Australia, Canada, ISU). Enrolled in STEM degree with strong standing.
Contact ISU for nominations.
NASA I² Details →NASA OSTEM Paid Internships
📍 Multiple NASA Centers, USA
Office of STEM Engagement Internships
Focus: Engineering, science, and business roles. Stipends provided.
Eligibility: ⚠️ U.S. Citizens Only. Enrolled full-time at accredited institution.
Summer app deadline: Feb 27, 2026.
NASA Intern Portal →Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI)
📍 Houston, USA
Summer Internship in Planetary Science
Focus: Research with scientists on lunar and planetary projects.
Eligibility: Undergraduates worldwide in science/engineering. Includes stipend, travel, and accommodation.
App deadline: Early December.
LPI Internship Info →European Southern Observatory (ESO)
📍 Garching, Germany
Science Communication Internship
Focus: Content production for astronomy outreach. Includes allowance and housing.
Eligibility: Students/graduates worldwide with background in physics/astronomy/communication.
Applications accepted year-round.
ESO Jobs Portal →Space Court Foundation (SCF)
📍 Remote (International)
Media & Communications / Legal Research
Focus: Social media, graphic design, web programming, and space law research.
Eligibility: All nationalities welcome. 10-12 hours/week commitment. Remote-friendly.
Applications open continuously.
SCF Internships →Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs (MERL)
📍 Cambridge, MA, USA
Visualization & Simulation for Space (CA0153)
Focus: Develop high-fidelity simulators for space systems.
Eligibility: Graduate students. Immigration support may be provided for qualified candidates.
Apply until filled (Code: CA0153).
MERL Careers →Airbus
📍 Germany (Hamburg, Bremen, etc.)
Spacecraft Design & Satellite Communications
Focus: Design, mission analysis, and business operations roles.
Eligibility: Enrolled full-time at state-recognized university. International environment open to many nationalities.
Apply 3-6 months in advance.
Airbus Internships →OIST (Okinawa Institute of Science and Tech)
📍 Okinawa, Japan
Research Internship Programme
Focus: Computational science, engineering, and physics research units. Travel and housing provided.
Eligibility: Undergrad or Master's students worldwide. Visa support provided.
Apply via OIST Portal early 2026.
OIST Portal →Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA)
📍 Heidelberg, Germany
Summer Internship Programme 2026
Focus: Research projects in astronomy and instrumentation. Salary ~€1,000/month provided.
Eligibility: B.Sc/M.Sc students from anywhere in the world. Enrolment proof required.
Deadline: Jan 15, 2026.
MPIA Internships →ESO (Paranal Observatory)
📍 Paranal Observatory, Chile
Winter Internship 2026 (Technical Roles)
Focus: Instrumentation, software, and electronics at high-altitude site (8 on / 6 off schedule).
Eligibility: Final year students at European or Chilean universities. Strong Linux/Coding skills.
App deadline: Feb 28, 2026.
Apply via ESO →SpaceX
📍 Bastrop TX, Hawthorne CA, etc., USA
Engineering Internship/Co-op
Focus: Design, manufacturing, analysis, and operations roles. Paid ($28-$30/hour).
Eligibility: ⚠️ U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents Only (ITAR). Enrolled in Eng/Physics/Math.
Apply via SpaceX site early.
SpaceX Careers →ESA (ESAC/ESTEC)
📍 Spain & Netherlands
ESA Science Internships
Focus: Science projects at ESAC/ESTEC. Interns work directly with astronomers and scientists on research.
Eligibility: Open to students whose internship is part of their university course. Monthly allowance provided.
Projects posted Nov 2025.
ESA Science Portal →EUMETSAT
📍 Darmstadt, Germany
Satellite Meteorology & Ground-Segment
Focus: Projects in satellite meteorology and engineering. Includes daily allowance and travel support.
Eligibility: Nationals of EUMETSAT member or cooperating states. Must be part of a mandatory course.
Check EUMETSAT careers site.
EUMETSAT Careers →UNOOSA
📍 Remote / Vienna / Bonn / Beijing
Space Policy & Inclusive Design
Focus: Policy analysis and initiatives like "Space for Persons with Disabilities".
Eligibility: Open to all nationalities. Positions are typically unpaid; interns cover their own expenses.
Remote work is often possible.
UNOOSA Internships →EUSPA
📍 Prague & Brussels
Traineeships (Paid & Short-term)
Focus: Satellite navigation (Galileo/EGNOS), EO, and security. Paid traineeships (6-12m) or short-term unpaid (up to 3m).
Eligibility: ⚠️ EU, Iceland, or Norway nationals only. Paid trainees receive a €1,500/month grant.
Applications on rolling basis.
EUSPA Careers →NATO Headquarters
📍 Brussels, Belgium
S&T or Policy Internship
Focus: International security, science & technology initiatives, and space policy.
Eligibility: ⚠️ Nationals of NATO member countries. Includes stipend and travel reimbursement.
Next call opens Spring 2026.
NATO Internship Portal →ESO Supernova Planetarium
📍 Garching, Germany
Science Presenter Internship
Focus: Presenting planetarium shows and guided tours. Includes allowance and housing.
Eligibility: Open to all nationalities. Preference to ESO member states.
Apply via ESO Jobs portal.
ESO Supernova Apps →ispace Europe
📍 Luxembourg
Propulsion & Robotics for Moon Missions
Focus: High-fidelity simulation and hardware development for lunar landers.
Eligibility: Master’s and PhD students globally. Rolling basis selection.
Year-round applications.
ispace Careers →Revolv Space (WIA-Europe)
📍 Turin, Italy (Remote/Hybrid)
Sales Engineer / Business Dev
Focus: Satellite systems and business development. Combination of tech and sales.
Eligibility: Open to candidates from diverse backgrounds. English/Italian preferred.
Paid internship position.
Revolv Careers →ArianeGroup
📍 France & Germany
Launchers Academy Internships
Focus: Engineering as part of the corporate university for Ariane 6 development.
Eligibility: Final-year engineering students. Non-EU applicants must have right to work.
Recruitment begins October.
ArianeGroup Careers →Airbus France
📍 Toulouse, Paris, etc.
Engineering, Business & Communications
Focus: Wide range of roles across spaceystems and aircraft divisions.
Eligibility: Students from all backgrounds. Apply 4-6 months in advance.
Jan recruitment for Summer.
Airbus Internships →ESO Summer Research Programme
📍 Garching, Germany
Summer Research Experience
Focus: Research projects with ESO staff, workshops, and telescope visits. Housing, stipend, and travel provided.
Eligibility: Open to students of any nationality. Priority to ESO member states and strategic partners.
Deadline: Late Dec 2025.
ESO Programme Info →Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA)
📍 Garching, Germany
Internships in Astrophysics
Focus: Computational and theoretical astrophysics research. Placements can extend to several months.
Eligibility: Strong academic record and computing skills. International students may apply.
Apply 3–4 months in advance.
MPA Careers →LEAPS (Leiden/ESA)
📍 Leiden & ESTEC, Netherlands
Astrophysics Summer Programme
Focus: Research projects with Leiden and ESA scientists. Housing and stipend (~€196/week) are provided.
Eligibility: Students of any nationality. Minimum two years of Bachelor’s degree completed.
Deadline: January 2026.
LEAPS Portal →Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
📍 Remote (Global)
Young Scientist Program (YSP)
Focus: Astrobiology, Earth systems, and space exploration. Part-time (≈5 hours/week).
Eligibility: Open to non-U.S. applicants. Primarily unpaid, though some projects may offer funding.
App period: March – April 2026.
BMSIS YSP Info →STScI (Space Telescope Science Inst.)
📍 Baltimore, USA
Space Astronomy Summer Program
Focus: Research on Hubble and Webb telescope data. Includes stipend ($880/wk), travel, and housing.
Eligibility: Upper-division undergraduates globally. Institute assists with U.S. visa authorization.
Deadline: Jan 2026.
STScI SASP →Space Weather Camp (DLR & UAH)
📍 USA & Germany
International Space Weather Research
Focus: Space weather/plasma processes split between Huntsville, AL and Germany. Highly selective (16 spots).
Eligibility: Students in relevant STEM fields (B.Sc/M.Sc). 8 spots for DE, 8 for US residents.
Deadline: March 8, 2026.
Space Weather Camp →NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
📍 Pasadena, CA, USA
Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP)
Focus: Research placements collaborating with JPL scientists on NASA missions.
Eligibility: Enrolled students. Non-U.S. citizens may apply for specific research roles.
Rolling applications.
JPL VSRP Portal →