Internship

2027 Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Graduate Intern

The Aerospace Corporation

Hours: Full time
Where: Colorado Springs, CO
Apply by: End Date: February 26, 2027
Posted: Sep 23

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges.

What you'd do

The selected candidate will be required to work full time, on-site in Colorado Springs, CO, El Segundo, CA, Chantilly, VA, or Albuquerque, NM offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week and remote flexibility as business needs allow.
Simplified and high-fidelity multi-body orbital mechanics
Impulsive and low-thrust trajectory design and optimization
Traveling Salesman Problem and Facility Location Problem analysis
General astrodynamics analysis including orbit and covariance propagation, maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer, station keeping, disposal, and reentry events
Developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporating operational constraints into the design and maturation of space and near-space systems
Using optimal control theory, flight mechanics, and computer science/algorithm development skills to create new capabilities to service customer requests as stand-alone services and/or ready-to-integrate submodules
Research and development including building new flight dynamics tools and features to cultivate and maintain modern internal tool bases
Use of external tools like ASSET, SNOPT, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, CasADi, Heyoka, etc. where appropriate to augment internally developed capabilities
Maneuver and orbit design, selection, and optimization for missions that support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) objectives with complex operational constraints

Starts: 2026-09-23