Job Description:

The goal of the placement will be to support the development, build and qualification of Orbit Fab’s UK refuelling couplings. This will involve building, testing and analysing the performance of refuelling fluid system hardware as well as supporting on the design, build and test of support hardware to demonstrate end to end operations of refuelling mechanisms.

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. The UK team is also working on the next generation versions of the RAFTI interface and it’s ground support equipment, to enable a wider range of orbital refuelling services. At the time of the project, GRASP, RAFTI and refuelling fluid system technologies will all have development campaigns in the march towards flight readiness.

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

• Research on propulsion and fluid test methods and equipment

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

• Supporting the creation of various fluidic test setups complete with instrumentation and sensors to enable end to end testing (with a stretch goal of automating physical tests)

• Supporting the definition and execution (with external partners) for testing with the development hardware as appropriate

• Set up data acquisition and storage chains for meeting test requirements

• 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 qualification and development testing of GRASP, RAFTI, and a representative fluid systems of flight refuelling systems.

During this Internship, successful candidates will develop their skill level and knowledge in the following areas of technology development/ engineering in the space industry:

• Knowledge of key areas of space systems technology: propulsion and refuelling systems, satellite systems, in-orbit servicing

• Technology development planning for propulsion/ fluid components

• Skills in fluid and propulsion test planning, execution and reporting with industrial best methods

• Risk assessments (technical, programmatic, safety)

• Knowledge of in space mechanisms

• Technical documentation and report writing

• Skills in general space testing, space project lifecycle

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.

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.