Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA) invites applications to fill PhD position.
Position description and objectives:
- PhD position in Small-Satellite Formation Flying Control
The main focus of the position is on Autonomous Formation Flying Control for Small-Satellite Clusters Using Aerodynamic Forces.
This research will be developed under the framework of the ANSER space programme at INTA. The first mission of ANSER is ANSER-WQ, which is a cluster of 3 CubeSats already in orbit with both scientific and technology – demonstration objectives. One of the latter is to be able to control their relative position between satellites by using aerodynamic forces (drag and lift). For that reason, autonomous formation flying algorithms is the main research topic of this PhD position. The algorithms developed will be validated in orbit in ANSER-WQ and future ANSER missions such as ANSER-AT and Q-ANSER, currently under development.
The PhD position will be developed within the ANSER team in the Space Programmes Department at INTA – Torrejón de Ardoz (Supervisor: Iván Castro-Fernández).
Requirements:
- Having a mínimum of 300 ECTS with Bachelor + Master.
- Master Degree in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering or Physics/Astronomy or Mathematics/Statistics.
- Advanced level in English.
What we offer:
- Up to 4-year contract.
- Gross salary: ~1500€/month.
Deadline:
- 22/09/2025
How to apply:
Interested candidates must send an email to request more information about how to apply to icasfer@inta.es and arzagc@inta.es with their CV and a short motivation (letter or email). Candidates should take into account that the mentioned deadline of 22/09/2025 is for the final application.
PhD in Aerospace Engineering UC3M 