Orbital data processing Intern

Who we are and what we do   

 

NorthStar Earth & Space uses optical telescope data as the building blocks to create information services tailored to the needs and requirements of clients from both government and industry. Our extensive development portfolio includes orbit dynamics and machine learning algorithms for a variety of applications for space domain awareness and space traffic management. With headquarters in Montreal, Canada, European headquarters in Luxembourg and a wholly owned subsidiary in McLean, Virginia, the company is solving the ever-increasing threat of space collisions and empowering humanity to preserve our planet. 

 

Who you'll work with 

 

Our diverse team comprises astrodynamicists, software developers, aerospace engineers, and business developers, all dedicated to our mission of fostering space sustainability. 

 

What you will do 

 

Several satellite operators are sharing orbital data of their satellites openly in space track and via other publicly accessible means. Given the number of satellites, and the frequency of the state vector update, the amount of ephemeris data available is very large. However, the satellites perform station keeping maneuvers regularly, preventing the forecast of their future location and velocity. The availability of data can help build a dynamic model able to estimate them with a certain level of confidence. The main goal of this internship is to produce a solution for propagating the state of the constellation satellites leveraging the data provided by the operator, allowing their use in collision avoidance services, risk analysis and other downstream applications.

Responsibilities:

• Analysis of the open data available.
• Literature review on statistical characterization of satellite dynamics.
• Literature review on stochastic dynamic models.
• Statistical fitting of the data available with tentative stochastic models.
• Analysis of how stochastic dynamic models can be used for collision avoidance service.
• Documentation and presentation of results.

 

What you bring to the table 

 

• A recent graduate or soon-to-be graduate in Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, or related fields, eager to embark on a career in space engineering.
• Knowledge in orbital mechanics, orbit determination, stochastic and deterministic dynamic systems, statistics, and keen on expanding your skill set.
• Owner of strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset, thriving in international team environments.
• A creative scientist eager to apply best practices, develop new methods, and visualize insights.
• Interested in gaining proficiency with us in orbit determination and the related topics.
  

 

What you can expect

 

• Enjoy 2 remote workdays per week, flexible hours, and a dog-friendly office located in the heart of the city. 
• Indulge in complimentary snacks and beverages, and weekly fresh pastries. 
• Foster camaraderie and collaboration through team-building activities and company-wide events. 

 

How to apply 

Skip the cover letters and instead share details about your most passionate personal project, and your earliest start date.   To apply, click on the “Apply for This Job” button to share your resume. 

 

NorthStar is committed to creating and fostering a safe and inclusive work environment where our employees feel valued and heard. We strongly encourage applications from candidates from different backgrounds who can bring greater diversity to the way we think, including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities and persons of all ages, backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

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