Advisor: David Klumpar
MSU's Space Science and Engineering Laboratory seeks to involve students in highly responsible roles in science and engineering associated with the development of space flight systems. SSEL is a center of expertise with faculty, staff, and facilities for space research and development of spaceflight technologies with a focus on ultra-small satellites. The charter of the laboratory is to bring together students, professional engineers, and faculty in the science and engineering disciplines to conduct space flight experiments within an interdisciplinary research and student training environment. Students take major responsibilities for projects, including project management, and conception, design, fabrication, testing, and operation of high altitude balloon and sounding rocket payloads, small satellites and other space flight systems. Further information is available on the web at http://www.montana.edu/wwwcat/opportunities/spec13.html and http://www.ssel.montana.edu/.
SSEL will entertain applications from highly qualified applicants for space hardware development projects under the MSU REU program in Solar and Space Physics. Applicants should have a strong interest in hands-on spaceflight hardware development. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated as well as being able to work effectively in a team environment. The applicant will have had previous experience in a laboratory setting, be comfortable with computers, and have experience, in one or more of: experimental physics, charged particle radiation sensors, mechanical or electrical engineering design/analysis or fabrication techniques, computer science, and general laboratory practice. A demonstrated interest to pursue a career in space science or space engineering will be an asset. Projects in development are listed on the SSEL web site (above). When you fill out your REU application (the web form), please include a couple of paragraphs in your essay specifically addressing your interests and qualifications in one or more of the projects currently in development and described on the SSEL home page at "Project Listing" .
You can read about related REU projects here: http://solar.physics.montana.edu/home/www/reu/2008/bcole/ and http://solar.physics.montana.edu/home/www/reu/2007/pfernand/