PhD Position Redefining the Solar-Sail Orbital Dynamics Around Earth

PhD Position Redefining the Solar-Sail Orbital Dynamics Around Earth
PhD Position Redefining the Solar-Sail Orbital Dynamics Around Earth

Published	Deadline	Location
yesterday	31 Oct	Delft

Job description

The “streets in space” are lined with garbage. Operational satellites that are vital to our everyday lives share their orbits with thousands of pieces of debris. An impact from such a debris object may destroy a satellite, or worse, threaten human spaceflight. Action is needed to clean up space.

Project SWEEP (Space-Waste Elimination around Earth by Photon propulsion) responds to this call for action by exploiting the endless propulsion capabilities of solar sailing. A spacecraft equipped with a solar sail rides on sunlight the way sailboats ride on the wind, making it a sustainable and cost-effective form of propulsion for a many-target active debris removal (ADR) mission.

To indeed demonstrate solar sailing as unmatched propulsion method for space debris removal, the SWEEP project will deliver state-of-the-art models and numerical tools to examine the solar-sail orbital dynamics around Earth. It will do so within a team of PhDs, the PI, and a large consortium of space agencies (ESA, NASA, DLR), companies (ISISpace), and key academic players (University of Colorado Boulder, Embry-Riddle, Politecnico di Milano, University of Glasgow).

Objective: The objective of this PhD is to derive, for the first time, a high-fidelity near-Earth solar-sail dynamical model from solar-sail mission flight data. The derived model will be used by the PhD and the SWEEP team to assess the opportunities and limitations of solar-sail propulsion for a many-target debris removal mission.

Background: Theoretical and idealistic solar-sail dynamical models are the norm, but these are not fit for purpose to accurately model the solar-sail acceleration and its motion in the highly perturbed near-Earth dynamical environment. Particularly the effects of dynamical perturbations like albedo, black-body radiation, drag, and the solar-cycle variability are under-investigated.

Methodology: Using tracking data from previous and future solar-sail missions in combination with orbit determination tools, the PhD will extract, derive, and analytically define the contribution of the different accelerations acting on an Earth-bound solar sail as well as the degradation effects due to long-term space-radiation exposure. The resulting analytical models will be used by the PhD and the SWEEP team to assess the impact of the new, realistic dynamical models on the time-optimality of solar-sail transfers around Earth.

Research collaboration and visits: During the project, the PhD candidate will closely collaborate with (and will be given ample opportunity to spend time at) collaborative partners, e.g., DLR, NASA, and the University of Glasgow.

The SWEEP project is funded by NWO domain Applied and Engineering Sciences.

The expected starting date of the PhD project is January 2023 (though flexible if needed).

Specifications

• max. 38 hours per week
• €2541—€3247 per month
• Delft View on Google Maps

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Requirements

Applicants should have a university degree (MSc) in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, or any other scientific or technical area relevant to the proposed research and have a strong background in numerical modelling.

Experience in astrodynamics (e.g., precise orbit determination and trajectory optimisation) and space mission analysis and design is considered a plus, but more important are a strong motivation, demonstration of high-quality work, and being well-organised, precise, and creative.

Furthermore, the candidate should have excellent written and oral English communication skills.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate School's Admission Requirements.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Employer
Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Department
Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 250 PhD candidates and over 2,700 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Ir. M.J. (Jeannette) Heiligers, Assistant Professor, via email: [email protected] .  

Working at TU Delft

Join the oldest and largest technical university in the Netherlands. Work on clever solutions for worldwide challenges, to change the world and make an impact. Ready to bring your energy to our research?

Challenge, change, impact!

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Application procedure

To apply, candidates should provide (in English):

• a cover letter explaining the motivation for applying to this position, including a reflection on the aforementioned requirements. Note that a second PhD opportunity "Solar-sail trajectory optimisation for active space debris removal" is opened simultaneously. Applicants can only apply to one of the two open PhD positions, but - in their cover letter - may indicate if they would also be interested in the other PhD position.
• a CV
• two letters of recommendation.

The closing date for applications is 31 October 2022.

Interviews for selected candidates are expected to take place in November 2022.          

The expected starting date of the PhD project is January 2023 (though flexible if needed).

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.