Orbital Debris In-Situ Sensor Mission Support

ORAU; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace organization is seeking talented scientists for a research fellowship through the NASA Postdoctoral Program. This unique opportunity involves working on projects related to orbital debris characterization and technology development at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold a Doctoral Degree. The fellowship offers competitive, one- to three-year assignments designed to advance NASA's missions in various scientific fields.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must have a Doctoral Degree.
• Submit research proposal as part of application
• Three letters of recommendation required
• Official doctoral transcripts required

Responsibilities

• Develop technologies to characterize small orbital debris in low-Earth orbit.
• Support development of an in-situ sensor and provide mission support.
• Conduct analyses related to the Multilayer Acoustic Conductive-Grid Sensor (MACS).

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0018-NPP-NOV26-JSC-TechDev

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org). A complete application includes:

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Application Deadline

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

The growth of objects in Earth orbit continues to increase with an estimated 1 billion pieces of debris too small to be tracked, but large enough to present a serious risk to spacecraft missions. This opportunity involves working with NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) at NASA/JSC to develop technologies to characterize the small (millimeter-sized) orbital debris environment in low‑Earth orbit. This size regime represents the highest mission‑ending risk to spacecraft operating in the region between 600–1000 km where there is a lack of direct measurement data.

The ODPO, sponsored by NASA’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance and in collaboration with JAXA and NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, has developed the Multilayer Acoustic Conductive‑Grid Sensor (MACS). Opportunities are available to support the development of an in‑situ sensor and provide oversight and analyses that directly support the mission. Investigations include (but are not limited to) design and development of a flight‑like simulator on thin‑film hypervelocity impact perforations, hypervelocity impact‑induced acoustic signal generation/propagation on thin films and syntactic foams to support pre‑flight ground‑based testing and data collection/calibration during mission operations, and other MACS‑related engineering mission support.

Field of Science

Technology Development

Advisors

Jessica Headstream
[e-mail]
[phone]

David Petri
[e-mail]
[phone]

Jer‑Chyi Liou
[e-mail]
281.483.5313

Questions about this opportunity?

Please email [e-mail]

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree.