During my internship at Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), I had the opportunity to be part of the vibrant Predevelopment Engineering team focused on Future Space Technologies. It was an exciting experience to actively support various proposals for the European Space Agency (ESA), especially within the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP). The dynamic, fast-paced startup environment taught me the importance of multitasking, quickly adapting to shifting priorities, and confidently handling tight deadlines.

A highlight of my internship was performing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the RFA ONE launcher. My work specifically addressed the cradle-to-gate phase, where I examined the preliminary impacts from raw material procurement, manufacturing and AIT processes, transportation, logistics, and testing phases for the launcher tanks and engines. Exploring both direct and indirect environmental contributions during this project helped me appreciate the complexities and critical need for sustainable practices in aerospace development.

Working at RFA opened my eyes to the critical need for sustainability in the space sector, inspiring me profoundly. It left me determined to keep learning, questioning, and innovating, ensuring that my future contributions in aerospace are as responsible as they are impactful.

During my internship at the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS) as a Project Trainee in the Sensor Development Division, I was given the responsibility of analyzing and improving the performance of the 1553-based Sensor Electronics Package used to monitor the coarse analog sun sensors and platinum resistance temperature sensors for the Indian Data Relay Satellite System (IDRSS). I also assisted in structural, vibrational, thermo-vacuum, and electrical tests for star trackers and sun sensors.

The Sensor Electronics Package is used in every <500 kg class of satellites, and its output is crucial for sensor calibration and performance tests. Recognizing that the current performance testing and calibration methods were being done manually and consuming a lot of time and resources, I developed a Python-based software package to automate the process. After a thorough study and analysis of the sun sensors at LEOS, I provided a feasible and agile concept to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the existing performance testing methods. My program was able to verify the sensor electronics package outputs for sun sensors and temperature sensors almost instantly, a task that previously took hours for lab technicians to complete manually. 

Additionally, I was able to identify and address some gaps in the previous testing procedures, contributing to the overall improvement of the project. I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to improving the performance of critical components of satellites and for the valuable experience gained during my internship at ISRO. 

During my time as an intern at Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited, I had the opportunity to work on a project on a space telescope with diffractive pupil imaging for astrometric exoplanet detection. The goal of the project was to verify the design of a telescope that would allow for high-precision detection of exoplanets in the Alpha Centauri binary star system.

As part of this project, I was responsible for validating the feasibility of a Ritchey–Chrétien telescope that would embody a diffractive pupil. This involved performing mass, volume, and power budgeting, configuring the camera sensor and telescope lens, and investigating the viability of using CFRP in the telescope baffle. I also had to determine realizable manufacturing methods for the diffractive pupil, which was a critical component of the telescope.

Through my work on this project, I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges involved in designing space-based instruments for scientific applications. I also had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the space industry from a commercial perspective. Working with experts, from young professionals to senior executives, I was able to gain insights into various facets of the industry. 

During my time as a project intern at Tech Mahindra, I had the opportunity to lead the Structures and Mechanical Subsystem team for the "Orbital Debris Detection and Mapping CubeSat" project. This experience was my proper introduction to CubeSats and sparked a passion for satellite miniaturization that I have continued to explore ever since.

As a part of this project, my team designed and developed the external structure, internal configuration, and thermal model of a 3U CubeSat in mid-range altitudes in a high-inclination LEO. The CubeSat was intended for the detection and mapping of orbital debris of sizes 1-10 mm. This project gave me an in-depth understanding of CubeSat engineering and the challenges that come with designing a successful CubeSat mission.

After completing this internship, I knew that I wanted to continue exploring the field of CubeSat engineering. The experience I gained during this project has been invaluable and has allowed me to dive deeper and deeper into the world of CubeSats.

During my online research internship at IIT Indore, I had the privilege to work in the Discipline of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Engineering. The focus of my research was on the cutting-edge field of pulsar-based navigation, specifically on exploring the use of X-ray pulsars for spacecraft navigation and timing.

Over the course of the internship, I developed a deep understanding of the methods and algorithms used in pulsar-based navigation and worked on systematizing a database of suitable millisecond pulsars for spacecraft location and velocity determination.

This invaluable experience was a unique opportunity to delve into the intricacies of space exploration research and develop my skills as a young researcher. It was particularly meaningful as it took place during the COVID-19 lockdown, allowing me to use my time effectively and productively in pursuing my passion for space research.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, I had the opportunity to take part in an online internship at the Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, where I worked on the project "Aerodynamics of a Blunt Fin in Supersonic Flow". The experience was a welcome respite from the challenges of the pandemic, and I was grateful for the chance to put my time to good use. 

As part of this project, my team and I conducted 2D CFD simulations in Ansys-Fluent on a trapezoidal blunt fin at supersonic speeds. 

Through our research, we analyzed the variation of shock wave/turbulent boundary-layer interactions, static pressure gradients, density distribution, Mach numbers, and velocity profiles with variations in slant angles of the blunt fin. This project helped me develop a better understanding of the intricacies of aerodynamics in supersonic flow and the importance of computational modeling in aerospace research.

Through this internship, I gained valuable experience in aerodynamics and further honed my skills in simulation software such as ANSYS.