About the role#
This summer internship at the Glenn Research Center focuses on the High Altitude Re-entry Plasma Emulation Experiment (HARPEE) facility. The project investigates ways to mitigate radio-frequency (RF) blackout, which occurs when a vehicle is engulfed in ionized gas during hypersonic atmospheric descent. You will work in a laboratory setting to characterize plasma properties and refine sensing techniques.
What you'll do#
- Characterize plasma properties, such as charge-carrier density and thermal energy, within the HARPEE apparatus.
- Test these properties across various transient power levels and vacuum-chamber pressures.
- Use MATLAB or Python to manage instrumentation control and data acquisition.
- Compare the traditional Langmuir probing method against a newer RF remote-sensing technique.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a Master's, Doctoral, or Post Doctoral program.
- Academic background in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Physics.
- A strong interest in scientific investigation and laboratory techniques.
- US citizenship.
Location & details#
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio.
- Term: Summer 2027 (June 7 to August 13).
- Work modality: On-site, full-time.
- This position is unpaid.
About NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is a government agency founded in 1958. It conducts research and development in aeronautics, space exploration, and science. The organization operates from various locations across the United States, including its headquarters in Washington, DC. With over 53,000 employees, it manages missions involving rockets, spacecraft, and Earth observation.
How to get in at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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