PHOTO CREDIT: ANGEL ITUA
Space research, and the exploration of the unknown, has always been a pursuit that ties the world together. This concept was realized early on by David Barnhart, Director of USC’s Space Engineering Research Center (SERC), a joint center between the Information Sciences Institute (ISI) and Department of Astronautical Engineering (ASTE).
Deciding to help space research flourish internationally, Barnhart introduced SERC’s work to Europe in an outreach project a few years ago. Today, SERC is known as a place that welcomes people around the world to engage in advanced space research together.
This year, SERC/ISI has invited three students from the French Air Force Academy (Ecole de l’Air et de l’Espace) for a four-month internship, working on developing prototypes of space-qualified robots. These robots improve space operations by facilitating processes such as debris removal, space platform maintenance, and lunar landing.
The birthplace of global collaboration
“USC and SERC recognize that space is global, and we have embraced this concept by accepting students from all over the world as interns,” explained Barnhart. “We have continued these collaborations for the past 6 years. For example, last summer, we invited German students to work on the LEAPFROG flight project. Past interns have also come from Japan, Mexico, Sweden and India, and we’ve supported Italian graduate students in the past as well.”
International interns at SERC/ISI contribute to fundamental research projects that have real-life applications. This focus on hands-on research instead of theoretical pursuits, according to Barnhart, is one key feature that draws interns to SERC. Through this process, they gain valuable insights while working in teams with USC students.
“In France, there are usually only two or three people studying existing theories,” Mickaël, one of the French interns, recalled. “However, at SERC our projects are far from done – we have to create our own solutions and conduct real investigation with a larger team. This is part of the American experience that we want to bring back.”
Accelerating space exploration
At SERC, interns have the flexibility to choose projects that they are passionate about and will benefit from the most.
“I chose the LEAPFROG lunar lander project because it uses space technologies and hardware that I was familiar with in France,” Thibault, another French intern, said. “I applied what I’ve learned to create a navigation system for the LEAPFROG module, so that it can land accurately.”
The lunar lander requires both GPS and accelerometers to ensure that its location can be precisely and consistently updated. This is because there are no satellite signals – and therefore no GPS – when the robot arrives on the moon.
Thibault is working to secure multiple accelerometers that perform the same task on the LEAPFROG module. If one fails or breaks down, the others can take over.
“Using my theoretical knowledge from France to improve a real world module in the US is very rewarding,” remarked Thibault.
Driving results, gaining experience
Seeing tangible results from their research efforts is also something that drives interns towards the projects they are working on.
“I wanted to work on the SQUID project because I knew that I would be able to craft and build things around it,” Alexandre, the third French intern, said.
SQUID aims to create an informatic model to optimize the force of Gecko adhesive grips. The Gecko grips are used on the REACCH debris gripper robot, and Alexandre is trying to maximize their capacity to grab old satellites and debris in space.
The interns are conscious of the impact that their work has on future space operations.
“My project STARFISH has three main focuses: reducing human risk, allowing maintenance on space objects, and making significant progress in the new and relevant field of soft robotics,” Mickaël explained.
Mickaël hopes that his work on STARFISH, a soft crawling robot used to inspect and repair space stations, will help the robot displace objects more efficiently.
Fostering cultural synergy
SERC interns bring new approaches to problem-solving, creating an environment suited for cross-cultural collaboration. The French interns aim to bring what they have learned back home after completing their time at SERC.
“We’re used to passing or failing tests on our first try back in France,” Mickaël explained. “At SERC we’re allowed, or even expected, to test and fail. Realizing that we can learn from our failures and try again with new methods has been very valuable.”
“I’ve also been able to interact with, and learn from, a lot of other foreign students at SERC who bring different ways of thinking to solve problems,” Alexandre said.
SERC also benefits greatly from these internships.
“International interns add to SERC’s rich culture of innovation,” Barnhart said. “Our research center is like a rich tapestry that grows with every new member. The space innovation we come up with is enhanced with international participation.”
Carrying the tradition forward, SERC expects another 4 interns from France, 2 from Germany and possibly 2 from Italy next year.
Published on July 16th, 2024
Last updated on July 17th, 2024
