2027 Navigation Summer Internship

Advanced Space • Westminster, CO

12d • Onsite

About The Position

At Advanced Space, we're enabling humanity's return to the Moon and building the technologies that will take us to Mars and beyond. We're looking for a 2027 Navigation Summer Intern to join our astrodynamics team and contribute to innovative spacecraft navigation and mission design projects. As a Navigation Intern, you'll work alongside experienced technical staff who will provide mentorship and guidance throughout your internship. You'll gain hands-on experience solving complex navigation challenges, conducting technical research, and supporting projects connected to real space missions. This internship is ideal for students passionate about orbital mechanics, spacecraft navigation, and the future of space exploration. You'll have the opportunity to apply your technical skills while learning from engineers developing navigation solutions for missions to the Moon and beyond.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or another engineering discipline.
• Strong foundation in orbital mechanics and computer programming.
• Interest in spacecraft navigation, mission design, guidance and control, optimization, or estimation theory.
• Enjoy solving complex technical problems and exploring new approaches to space mission challenges.
• Completed coursework or research related to astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, or space systems.
• Curious, collaborative, and excited to learn from experienced aerospace engineers.

Nice To Haves

• Undergraduate or graduate research in orbital mechanics or astrodynamics
• Spacecraft navigation or orbit determination concepts
• Guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems
• Optimization techniques and numerical methods
• Three-body dynamics and periodic orbit analysis
• Python, MATLAB, or other scientific computing languages
• Machine learning applications in aerospace

Responsibilities

• Support spacecraft navigation and astrodynamics projects.
• Work alongside technical staff on summer projects focused on spacecraft navigation, trajectory analysis, and advanced mission design concepts.
• Solve challenging spaceflight problems.
• Contribute to projects involving areas such as: NRHO stationkeeping strategies, Rendezvous and proximity operations, Transfers between periodic orbits in the three-body problem, Interplanetary mission design with multiple gravity assists, Aerocapture flight mechanics, Trajectory optimization using evolutionary algorithms, Reinforcement learning applications for trajectory design, Optical navigation using artificial intelligence algorithms.
• Apply engineering and programming skills.
• Use your knowledge of orbital mechanics, programming, and numerical methods to support spacecraft navigation analysis and research.
• Share your work and findings.
• Present project results through technical reports, presentations, and discussions with members of the astrodynamics and navigation teams.

Benefits

• Competitive internship compensation: $26–$35/hour
• Housing stipend
• Mentorship and guidance from technical staff
• Opportunities to contribute to research projects directly tied to active space missions
• Collaborative work environment at our Westminster, Colorado headquarters

What This Job Offers

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