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Master´s Thesis (f/m/x) - Thermal analysis of a satellite flying through a Leo2VLEO
Job Description
Req ID:  1808
Place of work:  Trauen
Starting date:  01.07.2025
Career level:  Student employment, Student research project and final thesis
Type of employment:  Part time
Duration of contract:  6-9 months

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

 

DLR's Responsive Space Cluster Competence Competence Centre (RSC³) in Trauen is a unique research facility in Germany that addresses in a holistic way the topic of Responsive Space. This exciting field of research deals with the question of how to respond faster, more flexibly and securely in space with the goal of increasing the overall resilience of critical infrastructures in space. To this end, innovative concepts and technologies are analyzed, developed and demonstrated at the RSC³. 

 

What to expect

In responsive space applications, rapidly deployable satellites are essential to temporarily compensate for the loss of satellite assets. One approach to address this need is through pre-positioned satellites  in space. These satellites could be commercially operated and lowered into elliptical VLEO (Very Low Earth Orbit) trajectories to temporarily provide enhanced resolution or performance. Due to the increased atmospheric density in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), spacecraft are subjected to significantly higher thermal loads, necessitating design adaptations to maintain operational integrity and survivability. A current mission study at DLR is focused on characterizing the atmospheric environment and aerothermodynamic interactions at these altitudes, with the objective of quantifying thermal loads across a range of orbital heights.

 

The objective of this thesis is to analyze the influence of these thermal loads on the satellite bus and instruments using a FEM Software, and to derive design adaptions that enable sustained operation in the lowest feasible orbital regimes.

 

Your tasks

  • building an FEM model representing a 16U CubeSat design

  • simulating the heat loads during different LEO-to-VLEO mission phases

  • identifying critical temperatures for points in the thermal design 

  • developing passive and active measures to improve survivability in lower orbits (e.g., MLI, heat shields, radiators)

  • quantifying the system-level cost of the different thermal protection measures

  • identify an ideal orbital altitude by weighing the higher system mass for lower orbits against the lowered instrument mass

 

Your profile

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a technical field such as aerospace engineering, physics, electronics, mechanical engineering, or similar

  • ability to work independently and in a structured manner

  • experience in thermal analysis in the context of space engineering

  • experience with thermal modeling using Ansys, Comsol or Esatan or a comparable FEM software 

  • very good language skills in German or English (ideally both)

 

Remuneration will be paid up to pay group 05 TVöD depending on qualifications and tasks assigned.

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

 

We look forward to getting to know you!

 

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 1808) please contact:

 

David Kleemann 
Tel.: +49 5055 596 52 

 
Apply now