Company Description: Cislune develops lunar in‑situ resource utilization (ISRU) and surface construction technologies to support sustained Artemis-era operations. Since 2021, we’ve received 14 NASA SBIR/STTR awards advancing lunar excavation, regolith conveyance/processing, and dust‑tolerant mechanisms, and have won 6 NASA innovation competitions including Break the Ice Lunar Challenge, LunaRecycle, and the Entrepreneurs Challenge. We design, prototype, and test hardware and software spanning mechanisms, robotics, sensing, and autonomy, moving concepts from TRL 2–6 with fast, disciplined experimentation.
Primary Responsibilities/ Focus Areas of Internship:
• Contribute to R&D on lunar ISRU/construction systems - mechanisms, robotics, and test engineering.
• CAD design (SolidWorks) and rapid prototyping/assembly of sub‑scale hardware.
• Instrumentation & data collection (sensors, DAQ), test planning, and results analysis (Python/NumPy/pandas).
• Simulation/prototyping support for excavation/conveyance (e.g., dynamics, slip/traction, power budgets).
• Documentation: concise engineering notes, test reports, and design reviews.
Key Tasks/Projects the intern may be involved with:
1. Regolith Conveyance & Dust Mitigation Test Rig – Design and fabricate a benchtop auger/bucket or belt conveyance module; integrate sensors for mass flow, power draw, and dust containment; run test matrix; analyze throughput vs. power/abrasion; deliver design update + data package.
2. Robotic Excavation Modeling – Build/extend a simulation (Gazebo/Isaac or equivalent) for wheel/track interaction with regolith; estimate energy/throughput trade‑offs; validate with small‑scale tests.
3. Regolith‑based Construction Experiments – Prepare and test binder/sintering coupons; characterize compressive strength and cure parameters; compile process windows and QC metrics.
4. Software development, and modeling of lunar regolith terramechanics with DEM or other models.
Required Skills & Level:
• CAD (SolidWorks): Beginner–Intermediate
• Prototyping & Mechanical Assembly: Beginner–Intermediate
• Python for Data Analysis (NumPy/pandas/Jupyter): Beginner–Intermediate
• Basic Electronics/Instrumentation (sensors, motor drivers, DAQ): Beginner–Intermediate
• Technical Communication (clear lab notes/reports): Beginner–Intermediate
Desirable Skills & Level:
• ROS2/C++ or Python robotics stacks: Beginner–Intermediate
• Simulation tools (Gazebo/Isaac, simple dynamics modeling): Beginner–Intermediate
• FEA (SolidWorks), materials testing: Beginner
• Linux/Git workflows, CI basics: Beginner–Intermediate
• Vacuum systems exposure, safety: Beginner
Additional qualifications or requirements for the intern that have not been noted above?
• Able to commit ~10–15 hrs/week, flexible around class schedules.
• Comfortable with remote collaboration (weekly stand‑ups, Slack, GitHub, shared notebooks).
• NDA and standard IP assignment paperwork at onboarding.
Work Location & Hours: Cislune is located in California; this is a fully virtual internship. Work hours must be completed between Monday - Friday, 7:30AM-7:30PM Pacific Time.