Malvika Bhardwaj, a student at Rice University, is currently interning with the Guidance, Navigation and Control team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Her work focuses on developing analysis tools for thruster firings on the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, which is intended to safely deorbit the International Space Station.
Bhardwaj utilizes computer simulations to test the control system of the vehicle and identify potential failure conditions. Her mentor, Daniel Cohen, is a full-time engineer at the center who joined the staff in August 2024 after completing several internships at the agency starting in 2020.
Cohen’s responsibilities include developing models for the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, evaluating SpaceX designs, and analyzing settings for the Orion spacecraft’s docking camera. He dedicates time each week to instruct interns on topics including control systems and orbital mechanics.
The internship program is managed through NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement. Participants gain technical experience and contribute to agency projects. Bhardwaj notes that the experience emphasizes the collaborative nature of problem-solving within the organization.
