Project Description: The Terrestrial And Planetary Investigations and Reconnaissance group (TAPIR, https://tapir.lpl.arizona.edu ) is developing a drone-based radar platform that will serve for concept proofing and future radar instrument prototype testing in a variety of planetary analog environments (AZ, NM, WY field work sites). Specifically, we are modifying an existing drone-based radar to create a more flexible platform that can operate at multiple frequencies (10 MHz to 1.1 GHz) and integrate/test novel antenna designs and RF electronics. This project builds on several years of experience with instrument development as part of multiple NASA instrument development programs, such as Development and Advancement of Lunar Instrumentation (DALI), Maturation of Instruments for Solar System Exploration (MatISSE), and Instrument Incubator Program (IIP).
More information can be found at https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2025/pdf/1713.pdf and https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/marspolar2024/pdf/6083.pdf
NASA Relevance: This research is at the core of ongoing instrument development proposal and TRL testing efforts for the NASA DALI, MatISSE, PICASSO, and IIP programs.
Work Description: The intern's work will begin with a training phase to learn about our existing instrument development projects. Then, the work will involve hands-on testing of radar components, 3D printing and circuit design/assembly, and software development in collaboration with graduate students and Prof. Nerozzi at LPL, and collaborators from external institutions, including Georgia Tech and MIT. The intern will become an integral part of the TAPIR group, and we will meet weekly to share development ideas, discuss progress, and work on presentations/publications. The intern will have an opportunity to present their work at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in 2026 and will be a co-author on publications resulting from their work. Participation to field work activities to test the platform in AZ, NM, and WY is desired but not required. The successful intern will have the opportunity to continue working with TAPIR on instrument development projects and NASA proposals.
Open or Reserved Project: Open, 1 position