On-site Summer 2026 internship supporting Astrion’s Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations lab (Swampworks) at NASA Kennedy Space Center, focused on lunar regolith simulant testing in ambient and vacuum conditions. You’ll develop test plans/fixtures, run and improve dusty TVAC-style campaigns, process data, and report results to PIs with potential for peer-reviewed publication. Standout perk: hands-on KSC lab work on lunar surface systems and regolith characterization.
- On-site at NASA-KSC Swampworks
- Lunar regolith simulant vacuum testing
- Potential peer-reviewed publication
Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations Internship
LOCATION
Cape Canaveral, FLJOB 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.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS:
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related engineering or physical science discipline
- Coursework or academic research in granular mechanics, geotechnical engineering, planetary science, or regolith/soil behavior strongly preferred
- Strong academic foundation in mechanics of materials, fluid/soil mechanics, and engineering analysis
- 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
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS:
- 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
The successful applicant will 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. The intern will be in charge of 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.