Cislunar Flight Dynamics Intern: Trajectory & Optimization

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Professional growth opportunities

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a motivated student for a full-time internship in the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department. You will apply orbital mechanics, trajectory design, and optimization to cislunar missions and related space tasks.

Work includes developing concepts of operations, collaborating with engineers, and contributing to flight dynamics tools for mission analysis and capability maturation.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled full time in a Master’s or PhD program in Aerospace engineering
• Availability to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside of university term and return full-time after completion
• Experience in space mission analysis, advanced astrodynamics, or trajectory design and optimization
• Programming skills in C, C++, Python, Fortran, or MATLAB
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain US security clearance; US citizenship required

Responsibilities

• Primary support for the Cislunar Mission Design Section
• Perform orbital mechanics analyses and trajectory design
• Analyze Traveling Salesman Problem and Facility Location Problem aspects
• Develop CONOPS and incorporate constraints into designs
• Create new capabilities using optimal control and flight mechanics
• Develop and maintain flight dynamics tools and features
• Use external tools (ASSET, SNOPT, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, CasADi, Heyoka) as needed
• Collaborate with engineering partners to deliver integrated solutions

Skills

C

C++

Python

Fortran

MATLAB

Education

Master's or PhD student in Aerospace engineering

Tools

ASSET

SNOPT

Copernicus

GMAT

EMTG

CasADi

Heyoka

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a motivated student for a full-time internship in the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department. You will apply orbital mechanics, trajectory design, and optimization to cislunar missions and related space tasks.

Work includes developing concepts of operations, collaborating with engineers, and contributing to flight dynamics tools for mission analysis and capability maturation.