Solar nasa internship12/20/2023 ![]() “My project is setting up an experiment to simulate possible ocean compositions that would exist on other worlds,” says Vega. Now an intern at NASA JPL and in the middle of earning a second degree, this time in engineering physics, Vega is working on an experiment that will help scientists search for life beyond Earth. But between teaching and encouraging her family to go into science, It was only a matter of time before she realized just how much she wanted to be in the STEM world herself. She had always been interested in space and even dreamed about being an astronaut one day, but earned a degree in political science so she could get involved in issues affecting her community. Vega, whose family emigrated from El Salvador, was the first in her family to go to college. Three years ago, math and science were just subjects Kathy Vega taught her students as part of Teach for America. Diving Deep on the Science of Alien Oceans She says of her fellowship, “I hope my research leads to smarter, more efficient satellite systems for in-space construction and assembly.” 2. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A NASA Space Technology Research Fellow, who splits her time between Caltech and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), working with Soon-Jo Chung and Fred Hadaegh, respectively, Foust is currently earning her Ph.D. We’re using a bunch of component satellites and trying to figure out how to bring all of the pieces together and make them fit together in orbit,” she says. “I like to call it space K’nex, like the toys. “The spacecraft simulators use air bearings to lift the robots off the floor, kind of like a reverse air hockey table. The top part of the spacecraft simulators can move up and down and rotate all around in a similar way to real satellites.” It’s here, in this test bed on the Caltech campus, that Foust is testing an algorithm she’s developing to autonomously assemble and disassemble satellites in space. Beneath the socks she donned just for this purpose, the black floor reflects the scene like perfectly still water across a lake as she describes what happens here: “We have five spacecraft simulators that ‘fly’ in a specially designed flat-floor facility,” she says. She’s surrounded by black, except for the brilliant white comet model suspended behind her. Connecting Satellites in Spaceīecca Foust looks as if she’s literally in space – or, at least, on a sci-fi movie set. Here’s how interns are taking our missions and science farther. Finalists are then typically interviewed by the prospective mentor, after which time the mentor may request that the Education Office issue an offer to the applicant.Simulating alien worlds, designing spacecraft with origami and using tiny fossils to understand the lives of ancient organisms are all in a day’s work for interns at NASA. Potential mentors will search and review applications in the database to determine finalists. PDT Selection :įor JPL programs, once you have submitted your application to the appropriate program, your application will be reviewed by the Education Office to determine if the eligibility requirements have been met. Housing and travel allowances are not provided, however, program participants have the option of living in the Caltech dormitories for the summer guest housing rate.Īpplication Deadline: Friday, Maat 5 p.m.Award amounts vary and are subject to change. Participants receive a monetary award, given in monthly disbursements, for the period of the internship. ![]()
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