\tAgency<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t26\/02\/2026
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ESA Academy is inviting university students to apply for the Navigation Training Course, taking place from 22 to 26 June 2026 at ESA Academy\u2019s Training and Learning Facility<\/a> in ESA ESEC, Belgium. Organized in collaboration with ESA Education<\/a> and ESA\u2019s Directorate of Navigation<\/a>, this course is perfect for those curious about the future of satellite navigation<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tGalileo constellation<\/a><\/p>\n The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is vital not only for ESA, which has been at the forefront of its development in Europe since the 1990s, but also for European citizens and industries. GNSS plays a key role in our economy and daily lives by enabling fast, simple, and cost-effective global positioning, whether for indoor or outdoor navigation. Its development is influenced by technological advancements, political decisions, and market demands, making it a sensitive and strategic priority. Moreover, satellite navigation has grown into the largest downstream market of space applications.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tGalileo in space \u2013 infographic<\/a><\/p>\n Among GNSS systems, Galileo<\/a> stands out as the world\u2019s most accurate satellite navigation system, supporting more than four billion users worldwide. As a flagship programme of the EU Space Programme<\/a>, Galileo is managed and funded by the European Union. ESA has been instrumental in the design and development of Galileo\u2019s space and ground systems and launch procurements, while EUSPA,<\/a> the EU Agency for the Space Programme, ensures service delivery, market oversight, and user engagement.<\/p>\n ESA\u2019s Directorate of Navigation leads the design, development, and evolution of Europe\u2019s satellite navigation systems (Galileo and EGNOS)<\/a>\u00a0and drives their future advancements through the EU\u2019s Horizon Europe R&D programme. ESA is also shaping the future of satellite navigation and the contribution to Space Exploration through its FutureNAV<\/a> programme, including GENESIS,\u00a0Celeste\u00a0and Moonlight satellites, and the Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP)<\/a>.<\/p>\n Would you like to be part of the exciting future of satellite navigation? Apply for the Navigation Training Course today!<\/p>\n \tTraining course description<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tAn ESA expert presenting a Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) to students, a precision space technology used to accurately determine a satellite\u2019s orbit during the early phases of in-orbit operations<\/a><\/p>\n University students will gain a comprehensive introduction to satellite navigation, with a particular emphasis on Galileo. Designed by ESA experts who played a key role in developing the Galileo Space and Ground Segments, this training course will equip participants with essential knowledge of Galileo\u2019s architecture, tools, services, and functionalities. The course will also address emerging topics such as\u00a0Celeste, for satellite navigation in low Earth orbit, and Moonlight, which aims to create Europe\u2019s first dedicated satellite constellation for telecommunication and navigation services for the Moon.<\/p>\n The course includes a mix of engaging lectures, hands-on group exercises, and a guided tour of key Galileo in-orbit test facilities at ESA\u00a0ESEC<\/a>, which form a critical component of the current Galileo Ground Segment.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tStudents testing the accuracy of the Galileo GNSS<\/a><\/p>\n At the end of the course, students will complete an online assessment and receive a certificate of participation along with a course transcript. These credentials can be used to request ECTS<\/a>\u00a0credit(s) from their universities.<\/p>\n To prepare for the course, selected students will participate in an online tutorial about Capella<\/a>\u00a0and GNU Octave<\/a> before the training week, ensuring they are familiar with the tools they will use during the training.<\/p>\n \tPreliminary schedule<\/p>\n \tDay 1 \tDay 2<\/p>\n Galileo Architecture and Services \tDay 3<\/p>\n Galileo Space Segment \tDay 4<\/p>\n Introduction to Galileo Signals, Galileo Signal Processing and calculate your own position solution: Group exercise \tDay 5<\/p>\n Programmatic Aspects of Galileo \tWho can apply?<\/p>\n Applications are open to students enrolled in university who fulfil the\u00a0following criteria:<\/p>\n aged minimum 18 years old; ESA Academy and relevant partners will only appraise applications from students who have no or limited professional experience in relevant engineering or space-related topics;<\/p>\n Citizen of an\u202fESA Member State, Canada or an Associate Member<\/a>.<\/p>\n Enrolled as a university student for the year 2025-2026 in a Master (i.e., MSc or equivalent), or a Doctoral (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) degree programme with a background in engineering, scientific subject with basic knowledge on navigation. \u00a0<\/p>\n Knowledge of\u00a0GNU Octave<\/a>\u00a0would be an asset but is not required.<\/p>\n *Canadian students enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution may apply for additional support from the Canadian Space Agency through this\u202fAnnouncement of Opportunity<\/a>\u202f(grant applications should be submitted at least 7 weeks before the course event start date \u2013 create an account as soon as possible!). This additional support is to cover costs that are not already covered by ESA for selected Canadian post-secondary students.<\/p>\n Selected students will be required to attend the entire 5-day training course at ESEC and the preliminary online tutorial. They will be sponsored by ESA to cover accommodation and meals, as well as up to 350 Euros for traveling to Belgium.<\/p>\n ESA is committed to achieving diversity and creating an inclusive professional environment. To this end, we welcome proposals and applications from all eligible candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. The ESA Academy strongly encourages inclusiveness within its programmes and within participating teams, which contributes to the enrichment of our programme.\u00a0<\/p>\n Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support, either digitally or at the location of the training. In case of any questions or specific needs, please reach out to academy.training@esa.int<\/a> to get assistance or advice during the application process.<\/p>\n \tHow to apply?<\/p>\n Apply through ESA Learn, the ESA Education and Community Platform<\/a>;<\/p>\n Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no image);<\/p>\n Upload a CV (PDF,\u00a0Europass format<\/a>, maximum 2 pages, no image);<\/p>\n Upload a formal recommendation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, including signature, no image) from a university professor or academic supervisor of current university (if it is not possible to receive the recommendation letter from your referee, please ask them to send a recommendation email to\u00a0academy.training@esa.int<\/a>\u00a0before the application deadline);<\/p>\n Upload a copy of your Transcript of Grades from the two previous semesters, or, if not available, the previous graded academic year (PDF).\u00a0<\/p>\n All answers and documents should be in English (Transcript of Grades can be submitted in the language of the hosting university, if unavailable in English).<\/p>\n The\u00a0deadline\u00a0for applications\u00a0is 5 April 2026 at\u00a023:55 CEST.<\/p>\n The selection announcement will be on\u00a027 April 2026.<\/p>\n
\n\tFundamentals of GNSS<\/p>\n
Galileo Ground Segment
Galileo System Performance
Galileo Constellation Design group exercise<\/p>\n
Galileo System Performance Tools
Introduction to Galileo System Modelling group exercise<\/p>\n
Galileo Satellite In-Orbit Testing (IOT)
Visit of the Redu site and Galileo IOT infrastructure<\/p>\n
Galileo Support to Safety of Life
Galileo Search and Rescue, Beacon Command Service, Emergency Warning System
Galileo Schedule and Risk Management
Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT)
Space Exploration (Moonlight)<\/p>\n