01 Apr Call for Applications: Spacecraft Testing Workshop

The African Space Agency and the European Space Agency jointly invite applications from African students and early-career professionals for the Spacecraft Testing Workshop, organised as part of the Africa–Europe Space Partnership Programme capacity-building activities.

This call is open exclusively to African nationals. It aims to attract applications from qualified African students (BSc, MSc, and PhD) enrolled in both African and international institutions, as well as early-career professionals with up to two years of experience. This workshop offers a unique opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in the intricacies of spacecraft testing, designed specifically for university students with backgrounds in engineering and science. Led by experts from ESA, the workshop will introduce participants to the rigorous processes and methodologies used to ensure that satellites operate reliably in the harsh conditions of space.

Beyond technical training, the initiative strengthens academic and industrial cooperation between Africa and Europe in the space sector and supports the development of the next generation of African space professionals. Throughout the workshop, selected participants will attend lectures delivered by ESA engineers, covering key topics such as product assurance, systems engineering, and environmental testing methods used in spacecraft development.

A core component of the workshop is its hands-on approach. Participants will apply their theoretical knowledge in practical settings at the CubeSat Support Facility, where they will conduct real hardware environmental tests using a specially designed educational test unit, supported by the ESA Education Office.

During the group project phase, participants will work in teams to design and execute a comprehensive environmental test campaign. This includes activities such as vibration testing, thermal vacuum testing, and electromagnetic compatibility testing. From defining test requirements to assembling and testing hardware, participants will gain experience with industry-standard spacecraft verification and validation processes.

The workshop will conclude with group presentations to a panel of ESA experts, providing participants with valuable feedback and practical insight into careers in the space industry.

Programme details

Title: Spacecraft Testing Workshop
Dates: 31 August – 04 September 2026

Location: ESA Academy’s Training and Learning Facility, ESEC-Galaxia, Belgium

Eligibility

Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old. The African Space Agency will consider applications only from:

• University students enrolled for the year 2025-2026 in a Bachelor’s (i.e., BSc or equivalent), Master’s (i.e., MSc or equivalent), or a Doctoral (i.e., PhD or equivalent) degree programme with a background in engineering or science; OR
• Early-career professionals with no more than two years of professional experience, endorsed by their institutions.

Requirements

• A letter of endorsement/recommendation from the applicant’s institution/academic supervisor is mandatory and must confirm the institution’s support for the candidate’s participation in the training.
• The course will be conducted in English; therefore, participants should have a good level of understanding of English.

Important Dates

• Application deadline: 15 May 2026, 23:55 CEST
• Notification of selected candidates only: 31 May 2026, 23:55 CEST

Application Details

Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official application link here. Email submissions will not be considered.

The African Space Agency will oversee the selection and notification of 15 participants from Africa, along with 5 candidates on a reserve list. Selection will take into account regional representation and gender balance, where possible.

AfSA will cover all participation-related costs, including visa fees, travel insurance, air tickets, and a daily subsistence allowance for the duration of the event.