MICO-VIE Team application

The Austrian Space Forum is opening the opportunity to apply for volunteer team member positions in the WBA Mission Coordination Center (MICO-VIE). We are looking for highly motivated individuals, preferably with analog research experience to be physically present (no virtual participation) between 11Oct2025 in the morning to 26Oct2025 in the evening in Vienna, Austria.

What can you expect:

• Being at the heart and brain of the Worlds Biggest Analog 2025 campaign, a first-of-its-kind simulation of a world, where habitats on the Moon, Mars and spacecraft in transit are a reality. The MICO-VIE is the central hub for coordinating Mission Control and Mission Support Centers on at least 4 continents.
• Work with like-minded people with an exceptional high level of motivation and experienced analog researchers, build professional relationships that may benefit your entire career – the vibes at this facility are uniquely motivating and engaging.
• There are several options for roles in the MICO-VIE
  • OPERATIONS TEAM: You will be working on console, take decisions under the guidance of an experienced Director of Operations (DO), communicate with and monitor habitats and crews around the worldREMOTE SCIENCE SUPPORT: Researchers with at least a BSc degree or equivalent in natural sciences or engineering: you will be interacting with experiment teams, engage in hypothesis forming in an interdisciplinary environment pertinent to human-robotic planetary surface exploration
  • GROUND SUPPORT:  We are looking for volunteers wit the following background:
    • IT-competent team members with experience in first-level support, network management, and/or network security, no significant coding experience is required
    • Media/Outreach/Social Media, photo/video production: people who are awesome at storytelling and excel in communicating an exceptional narrative
    • Educators for classroom interaction: teachers who coordinate classroom webinars, do guided tours at the MICO-VIE facility and present a liaison to the schools and the next generation of space explorers
    • Logistics and Security: Volunteers with an eye for detail, organization and “keeping the ship in a tidy condition”
• No one has done this before. So expect a highly dynamic and thriving working environment, side-to-side with analog research professionals and people with a deep passion for deep-space exploration. Flexibility, creativity, resilience, as well as social and cultural competencies are a common trait of our teams.

What do we expect from MICO-VIE volunteers:

• We will ask you to engage in the preparatory activities: read introductory material and documentation, online trainings (at least 2 are compulsory to qualify) – we want you to be well informed, well trained and being able to master your responsibilities before arriving in Vienna.
• Being physically present at the MICO-VIE (no virtual participation is possible) for at least 1 week continuously. Depending on the staffing roster, you will have time for private work for yourself or exploring the city of Vienna.
• Travel and accommodation costs are to be self-covered by volunteers.