29 May Call for Applications: Space Systems Engineering Training Workshop

African Union Member States recognise the critical role of space technologies and applications in driving Africa’s sustainable development. In fact, space-based services contribute significantly to areas such as communications, disaster management, environmental monitoring, and climate resilience. The African Space Agency is mandated to coordinate and harmonise space activities across the continent, and to implement joint programs in the following four thematic domains

1. Earth Observation
2. Satellite Communications
3. Navigation and Positioning
4. Astronomy and Space Science

As part of the broader African Union–European Union strategic partnership, AfSA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are jointly leading the Space Partnership Program (SPP), which supports both upstream (technology, satellite manufacturing) and downstream (applications, data services) sectors, through interconnected components focusing on industrial cooperation and private sector development, academic and research collaboration, and policy dialogue and institutional capacity-building. The SPP is guided by three specific objectives:

1. Enhance the African institutional and innovation space cooperation framework, including
   gender-sensitive outreach on the benefits of Space,
2. Enhance the capacity to produce and deliver space-based services and applications, data and information, for early warning systems related to hazardous weather or climate events, and
3. Strengthen the African space private sector ecosystem and industrial cooperation.

To this end, the SPP programme is organising the Space Systems Engineering Training Workshop from October 7-10, 2025, at the ESA Education Training Centre, ESEC-Galaxia, Belgium.

Objectives of the programme

The programme is open to applications from qualified engineering trainees affiliated with national and regional institutions, as well as a diverse university audience ranging from bachelor’s to PhD students. Selected participants will be trained and upskilled in key technical aspects across various engineering disciplines. The primary learning outcomes are to provide trainees with a foundational understanding of the course objectives, including Space Systems Engineering, Designing a Space Mission, Project Management, and Launch and Operations.

The programme will be executed through various teaching methods, including presentations and lectures, case study analysis, workshops and simulations, group projects and demonstrations, to reinforce learning new concepts and subjects previously unfamiliar to the audience.

Selection Process

There will be two participants from each region of the continent, one early career professional and one academic student, and gender balance will be carefully considered in the selection process. Institutions are requested to nominate appropriate personnel matching the background below. AfSA will vet the nominees prior to the training.

1. Proficiency in software and some level of understanding in mission design,
2. Experience in systems engineering, hardware troubleshooting, and debugging
3. Experience with components or subsystems integration and testing,
4. Basic level understanding of English, as the course will be conducted in English.

Application deadline

This call for applications closes on 3 July 2025, and the successful applicants will be announced on 18 July 2025.

How to apply

Interested applicants and institutions should apply here. For more information, send an email to info@africanspaceagency.org.