Project Description:

Newton is building a rocket powered boost glider as a prototype for a flight test vehicle aimed at providing high speed flight test data for aerospace components and systems and high-quality microgravity environments for academia and commercial customers. This project, building on a previous year's SPINternship, aims to design, build and test the control and communications electronics for the vehicle, culminating in a flight trial at Spaceport Snowdonia, Gwynedd, during summer 2024.

The following activities are planned:

1. Design and build a flight-ready version of the prototype avionics system, i.e. take the bench-top breadboard developed previously and package into a flight configuration.

2. Work with Newton's team to integrate the prototype system into the test vehicle.

3. Participate in flight trials of the prototype system.

This is aimed to be a self-contained project for the SPINtern, but the successful applicant will have exposure to and involvement with other company and site activities, which may include use of the company’s other space technology test equipment on-site (including testing of small rocket engines).

Applicant Specification:

The successful applicant will need to be comfortable with some elements of remote working; be able to attend company workshop facilities in Rickmansworth; and attend the Spaceport Snowdonia site at Llanbedr, Gwynedd (accommodation will be provided near the Snowdonia site).

Minimum requirements:

1. 1st year undergraduate or above (or postgraduate) in science or engineering.

2. Knowledge of electronics design

3. Experience in the use of CAD software for design

4. Practical skills (e.g. basic workshop experience, including lab safety, soldering and building electronics hardware)

Desirable requirements:

1. Practical experience of radio communications hardware

2. Experience of electronics design (e.g. through student projects or hobbies)

3. Knowledge of programming, especially Python and/or C.

4. Demonstrable interest in space technology, space exploration, aerospace, etc.

Process details:

8 weeks fixed term contract for 37.5 hours per week, including 5 days holiday – to complete before the start of the academic year, dates to be agreed with successful candidate. The salary for the full fixed term would be £3,600 in total.

Compliance with all SPIN program requirements, such as attendance at induction event(s) run by the Satellite Applications Catapult, and a final poster presentation event, is mandatory

Company Description:

Newton Launch Systems was established in 2011 to investigate the feasibility of the UK developing its own small satellite launcher in response to the growth in the small satellite market and is now actively pursuing a comprehensive technology development programme. In addition to undertaking its own test programme, Newton offers testing services to other SMEs and universities and is setting up a test and evaluation facility at Spaceport Snowdonia in Llanbedr, Gwynedd. These facilities include a test stand for static firing of rocket motors, a thermal vacuum chamber for satellite components, a launch rail for flight testing and a shaker table. Newton has undertaken a feasibility study with Spaceport Snowdonia into setting up a test range for launching suborbital sounding rockets over the Irish Sea.