PhD Position Space Mission Design in the Earth-Moon System for Future Lunar Energy Infrastructures

Would you like to design orbits for space missions to harness Sun’s energy for sustainable exploration of the Moon? Then this PhD project is for you!

Job description

The Moon is the next destination for space exploration. The planned crewed and uncrewed activities are many and varied but their common challenge is energy, particularly surviving through the lunar night. The current solutions include either reduced operations with minimal power consumption, complex solutions involving nuclear power sources or unconventional solar panel designs which would work against sustainable lunar exploration and the design of ground infrastructure.

Instead, sustainable and continuous operations may be achieved by harnessing solar power from space via orbiting solar reflectors. Orbiting solar reflectors are large, thin and ultralightweight structures like solar sails that can be used to reflect sunlight from orbit to the ground, such that existing infrastructure can be used for energy generation on the surface. Indeed, the reflected sunlight may also be used for other applications including illumination and thermal management to enhance surface operations. A modest number of reflectors in a constellation may then be able to service multiple locations across the surface of the Moon to satisfy the energy demands.

The Earth-Moon system offers a challenging yet rich dynamical environment to design orbits of reflector constellations. As a large and lightweight structure, the reflector’s motion will be affected by solar radiation pressure (SRP). Families of periodic and quasi-periodic orbits will then provide opportunities for reflector constellations.

This PhD project will investigate orbit options and space mission design aspects of orbiting solar reflectors in the Earth-Moon dynamical system. The PhD candidate will work on the generation of (quasi-)periodic orbit families in the SRP-enhanced three-body problem and the modelling of solar energy delivery from these orbits to the lunar surface. Together with the energy demands of future exploration activities, the PhD candidate will assess the suitability of these orbits for various illumination applications on the lunar surface. They will also design constellations on suitable orbits and optimise it for the maximum energy delivery to the surface.

The candidate will join the Astrodynamics and Space Missions section at Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and will be supervised by Dr. Onur Çelik. The candidate will also have opportunities to interact with many expert academics and talented PhD candidates in the section. There will be ample opportunities for academic growth through the Graduate School, and other opportunities will be offered for participation to conferences. These may be extended to short research visits pending availability of resources.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or closely related field
• Strong background in physics and mathematics, ideally knowledge in astrodynamics and space mission analysis
• Strong background in coding, e.g., MATLAB and/or Python
• Ability to learn independently and passion for research
• Strong communication skills in English
• Team player, open to discussion and constructive criticism
• Previous involvement in scientific research is a plus

TU Delft

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 270 PhD candidates and close to 3000 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

Conditions of employment 
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. 

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.  

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Onur Çelik, via o.celik-1@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 22 May 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter that describes your motivations on how you fit into this position
• Reference letters from two academics that can testify on your abilities

You can address your application to Dr. Onur Çelik.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services