Sarah Chu
Hello, my name is Sarah Chu and I am a sophomore engineering major in the Picker Engineering program. I am particularly interested in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. During the summer after my first year in college, I interned at NASA AMES Research Center in Moffett Field, California. I found this internship through E-Access, where I was able to connect with a Smith Alumnae working at NASA.
At AMES, I worked on a proposal, Small Payload Quick Return, which is a low-cost spacecraft that has the ability to re-enter the earth’s atmosphere. This spacecraft will have the potential to return small scientific samples from orbital platforms and target a specific location on earth. This technology development provides the opportunity for interplanetary Nano-satellites that may be utilized on small missions to the surface of Mars.
The CubeSat (TechEdSat5) I worked on was launched to the International Space Station this past December and successfully launched from the International Space Station to earth on March 6, 2017. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFfy8otrpks)
Through this internship, I developed communication skills, enhanced my software skills through the use of SolidWorks, learned about components of electronics and designed hardware.
At AMES, I worked on a proposal, Small Payload Quick Return, which is a low-cost spacecraft that has the ability to re-enter the earth’s atmosphere. This spacecraft will have the potential to return small scientific samples from orbital platforms and target a specific location on earth. This technology development provides the opportunity for interplanetary Nano-satellites that may be utilized on small missions to the surface of Mars.
The CubeSat (TechEdSat5) I worked on was launched to the International Space Station this past December and successfully launched from the International Space Station to earth on March 6, 2017. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFfy8otrpks)
Through this internship, I developed communication skills, enhanced my software skills through the use of SolidWorks, learned about components of electronics and designed hardware.