Cedric Hollande, SEAS ’25, Paris, France
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at NASA in the Ground and Flight Software Development branch, where the primary focus is on telecommunications—developing telemetry and telecommand applications to communicate with and send commands to spacecrafts and satellites. My project was centered on constructing a rover mockup based on a design from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The goal was to create a testing bed that would not only facilitate the development and demonstration of innovative solutions but also ensure their compatibility with robotic instruments utilizing the ROS2 (Robot Operating Software) industry-wide software platform, which is currently in the process of becoming space-rated (into Space-ROS).
My work was hands-on and multifaceted, beginning with the procurement of all necessary components—electronics, mechanical parts, PCBs, and wiring. From there, I led the mechanical assembly, wiring, and PCB soldering processes. The work was intensive, requiring a combination of mechanical engineering skills and a deep understanding of the intricate systems that would allow this rover to function as a reliable testing platform. The team and I managed to complete the mechanical and wiring assembly, and although we hit a roadblock with one of the PCB components, the groundwork has been laid for a fully functional demonstration platform.
The broader objective of this project was to bridge the gap between NASA’s Core Flight System (cFS) and ROS2, creating a general testing bed for the lab and a robust platform for presentations. This required integrating the robotics software (ROS2) with our flight telecommunications software (cFS), a challenge that demanded not only technical expertise but also a creative approach to problem-solving. As the team lead, I took on the majority of the workload, but thankfully other interns helped as we raced against the clock to bring the project to life.
Reflecting on this experience, I am incredibly grateful for the support and funding I received from Penn, which made it possible for me to take on such a challenging and rewarding project. Working at NASA has not only deepened my understanding of the telecommunications systems that are critical to space exploration but also solidified my passion for the intersection of robotics and space technology. This summer, I learned that innovation often requires navigating uncharted territory, and I am excited to continue exploring these frontiers as I pursue my studies and future career in robotics and mechatronics.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2024 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
