Job Description:

The goal of the project will be to establish the next iteration of the development test setup for the Orbit Fab refuelling mechanisms docking lab. This will involve establishing a sensing and instrumentation chain that provides live data to a lab data acquisition system, as well as assist on the design, build and test of fluidic, mechanical and electrical test support hardware to enable end to end development tests of refuelling mechanisms and the wider robotic architecture.

Orbit Fab is developing a UK-native technology called GRASP or ‘Grasping and Resupply Active Solution for Propellants’. GRASP development would enable UK built (and potentially UK launched) fuel shuttle vehicles to complement Orbit Fab’s fleet and ensure technology risk reduction on this critical piece of space infrastructure technology. At the time of the project, the GRASP mechanism will be in the middle of a major development campaign supported by the UKSA, where functions in docking and refuelling will be demonstrated.

The project to be undertaken will involve supporting GRASP and other refuelling equipment development campaigns ongoing in the UK on a combination of the following and/or other relevant activities:

• Research on sensing and instrumentation solutions for spacecraft docking and refuelling, and selecting COTS test hardware to represent similar functions.

• Creation of test plans and associated test hardware specifications and risk assessments, as well as executing tests.

• Supporting the design, build and test of robotics and mechanism test infrastructure, complete with instrumentation and breadboard sensors to enable end to end testing (with a stretch goal of automating physical tests)

• Setting up data acquisition and electrical setups to control and monitor breadboard test operations and create systems to smoothly manage test data

• Engineering support activities associated with refuelling technology and system architecture development as required.

  By the end of the project, the applicant will have supported Orbit Fab activities in the engineering model demonstrations of GRASP, by establishing test setups to validate and characterise the mechanism primary functions and performance.

The successful applicant should have the following qualities and abilities:

• You share our appreciation for a diversity of thoughts, backgrounds and experiences, helping us all learn from each other and make smarter decisions.

• You are a UK citizen or have the right to work in the UK.

• You should have built something. We'd love it if that something has flown in space or been used by a customer!

• You are currently pursuing a B.S. or M.S. in a technical discipline especially in the skillsets listed below.

• You have a demonstrated passion and capacity for hardware development, working in fast-paced environments and hands-on design and development from any maturity.

• Available to be in person at Harwell, Oxfordshire, for a minimum of 3 days a week.

• Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with external suppliers, other engineers, other interns, and managers.

• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic professional setting with changing needs and requirements.

• Experience in electrical, optical, mechanical or fluidic testing

• Experience of any full design, build and test cycle.

  Process details:

• 8 weeks minimum fixed term contract to be agreed with successful candidate

• 5 days holiday to be taken during the placement

Working at Orbit Fab:

Founded in 2018, Orbit Fab is an in-space refuelling company that is rapidly developing the technology and infrastructure for a propellant and materials supply chain in space, having already conducted two missions. Orbit Fab is building a bustling in-space economy, beginning with a propellant supply chain. The company’s refuelling services bridge Earth and space, providing satellite owners with the necessary propellant to increase operational flexibility, extend mission time, travel across orbits, and even return to Earth. World-firsts include the first commercially available satellite refuelling port RAFTI™ (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface), the first in-orbit fuel depot, and the first resupply of water to the International Space Station by a private company. Orbit Fab Limited (OFL), based in Harwell campus is the UK subsidiary of Orbit Fab Inc, headquartered in Lafayette, Colorado. OFL is seeking to invest in and grow UK in-space refuelling and related technologies to support a growing in-space economy. Since 2022 Orbit Fab has been building the UK team, and is rapidly ramping up to deliver on UK national missions and serve the global (ex-US) commercial market with locally developed technologies. A full mission leading capability is being established locally, with the support of the UK and European space ecosystem.