Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations Internship

Astrion

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations Internship
LOCATION: Cape Canaveral, FL
JOB STATUS: Full-time
CLEARANCE: BI investigation
CERTIFICATION: N/A
TRAVEL: Limited; as needed
Must be US citizen
ASTRION is seeking a summer 2026 on-site intern to support the Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations lab within Swampworks at NASA-KSC, running from 5/18/26 to 9/30/26.

Requirements

• Research experience related to lunar regolith simulant geotechnical property characterization and application of characterization data for engineering solutions related to lunar surface systems
• Characterizing lunar regolith simulant behavior
• Modeling regolith behavior based on properties such as bearing strength and shear strength
• Developing test fixtures and vacuum chambers for granular mechanics testing apparatus
• Read and adapt ASTM testing specifications for granular mechanical testing
• Develop Dusty TVAC testing procedures and implementing them
• Improve upon procedures for testing campaigns to improve measurement accuracy and data processing
• Write testing reports and have experience presenting results to peers for review
• Experience in mechanical design and manufacturing
• Test campaign management
• Lab, test, and sample organization skills
• Engineering research skillset

Nice To Haves

• Experience working within KSC labs
• Experience working with KSC lab procedures and regulations
• Experience working with BP-1, LHS-1E, and ICN-LHT-1G and similar simulants
• Experience with particle size distribution analysis lab systems
• Experience with lunar regolith compaction technologies

Responsibilities

• Conduct lunar regolith simulant testing at full and sub-scales within ambient and vacuum conditions to meet the characterization and application testing needs of a broad range of technology development and risk reduction projects.
• Developing test plans
• Coming up with engineering solutions for test fixturing and high vacuum testing capabilities to meet project needs
• Conducting testing, data processing, and reporting findings to project Principal Investigators and potentially publication to peer reviewed journals.
• The intern is expected to have significant experience in lunar surface system research including a strong understanding of granular mechanics fundaments and how characterization of lunar regolith is applied to NASA agency missions and objectives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed