High School Interns Build Advanced Lunar Propellant Models for Upcoming Intuitive Machines Mission Using Public Data

The complexities of space exploration frequently require innovative problem-solving, particularly when dealing with the fundamental physics of liquids in microgravity environments. For NASA’s Artemis campaign and the broader expansion of human and robotic presence into deep space, understanding how liquid fuel behaves inside spacecraft propellant tanks is a critical engineering hurdle. On Earth, gravity forces liquids to pool neatly at the bottom of a container, making it straightforward to measure remaining fuel levels using traditional sensors. In the microgravity of space, however, surface tension causes propellants to cling erratically to tank walls, creating unpredictable fluid dynamics that complicate mission planning, fuel management, and burns.

To tackle this formidable challenge, a specialized cohort of high school students participating in the prestigious NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Internship Program turned their attention toward one of the aerospace industry’s most pressing operational needs. Working through the University of Texas Center for Space Research, the SEES Mission Architecture Tool for Research, Integration, and eXploration (MATRIX) team spent their summer immersion period developing advanced computational models to predict optimal propellant measurement windows for an upcoming commercial lunar landing. Operating under the mentorship of prominent aerospace researchers, these exceptional rising upper-class high school students produced analytical work that industry professionals and academic leaders noted rivaled the capabilities of graduate-level engineering teams.

The origins of this cutting-edge student project trace back to foundational research conducted by Dr. Kevin Crosby and his colleagues at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, alongside NASA collaborators. Dr. Crosby and his team developed Modal Propellant Gauging (MPG), a novel acoustic technology designed to measure propellant mass in microgravity environments where conventional gauges fail. Instead of relying on physical dipsticks or direct fluid-level sensors, MPG leverages the acoustic response of propellant tanks. By introducing sound waves into the tank structure and analyzing the resulting frequency shifts, engineers can accurately estimate the mass of the remaining liquid fuel.

This acoustic gauging method is far from purely theoretical. It has undergone rigorous testing across multiple spaceflight experiments and is slated for an upcoming operational demonstration on the Intuitive Machines IM-3 mission. The IM-3 lunar lander, christened "Trinity," is scheduled to touch down on the Moon within the geologically fascinating Reiner Gamma region in 2027. Ahead of that historic flight, the SEES MATRIX high school intern team was tasked with developing predictive models to determine precisely when the spacecraft could execute reliable MPG readings during its active lunar journey.

Reconstructing a Lunar Mission from Public Archives

Lacking direct access to proprietary engineering databases, the student team adopted a resourceful and scientifically rigorous approach: they reconstructed critical mission architecture entirely from publicly available sources. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Jet Propulsion Facility, specifically through the Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF), provided detailed trajectory records for previous commercial lunar delivery flights, namely the Intuitive Machines IM-1 and IM-2 missions.

By meticulously comparing the reconstructed flight path of the IM-2 spacecraft against a theoretical model of its motion completely devoid of engine thrust, the high school researchers successfully isolated specific engine burn events. Furthermore, they calculated the exact change in velocity—known in astrodynamics as delta-v—associated with each propulsive maneuver. Because a complete, finalized trajectory for the upcoming IM-3 mission has not yet been released to the public domain, the MATRIX team engineered a custom software reconstruction algorithm. This script synthesized flight data from the earlier IM-1 and IM-2 missions to simulate realistic flight profiles.

To account for the chaotic sloshing of liquid fuel inside the tanks during these high-stress maneuvers, the students executed complex computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. These simulations were paired with extensive Monte Carlo statistical models designed to map out the wide spectrum of potential propellant states and operational uncertainties the Trinity lander might encounter upon reaching cislunar space.

Identifying Critical Measurement Windows in Deep Space

Through rigorous quantitative analysis and iterative modeling, the student team identified the exact operational phases during which Modal Propellant Gauging can acquire reliable, high-fidelity readings. Their findings demonstrated that the acoustic gauging technique performs most effectively during the mission’s two primary propulsive burns: Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) and Powered Descent. Additionally, the team found that reliable measurements could occasionally be captured during Descent Orbit Insertion phases, depending on specific orbital mechanics.

The students’ analytical models also revealed that the spacecraft’s initial total mass at critical mission milestones exerted the single greatest influence on the duration of each gauging window. Heavier initial loads altered the natural acoustic frequencies of the tanks differently than lighter loads, necessitating precise timing for the acoustic sensors. In addition to propellant gauging windows, the MATRIX team evaluated candidate launch opportunities for the IM-3 mission throughout 2027 and generated a comprehensive landing dispersion analysis for the Reiner Gamma target zone, illustrating the statistical distribution of possible touchdown locations relative to scientific points of interest.

Industry Briefings and Scientific Presentations

The culmination of the summer research effort extended far beyond academic simulations. Following the completion of their models, the SEES MATRIX interns formally briefed the Intuitive Machines propulsion engineering group. During the presentation, the students walked industry professionals through their methodology, data integration techniques, and final results, conclusively proving that graduate-level mission analysis can be successfully constructed using public aerospace archives.

The students subsequently packaged their findings into a formal research paper titled "Computational Models to Estimate Modal Propellant Gauging (MPG) Windows on the Intuitive Machines IM-3 Mission." They delivered their first major public presentation at the SEES Annual Symposium, followed by an address at the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Annual Conference. Looking ahead to the broader scientific calendar, the team is scheduled to present their findings on a national stage at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

Reflecting on the extraordinary pace and quality of the students’ work, Dr. Kevin Crosby expressed profound admiration for the cohort’s technical capabilities. "This high school team, in a period of less than a month, developed a depth of understanding and facility with advanced methods that rivals advanced graduate students in the field," Dr. Crosby stated. "Their work product is exceptional, and their presentation to Intuitive Machines engineers impressed everyone with the sophistication and creativity of their work. The SEES program has consistently provided a unique environment for students to demonstrate they can achieve far more than what is asked of them, even in the most advanced classes."

Broader Implications for Artemis and Commercial Spaceflight

The implications of the SEES MATRIX team’s research stretch well beyond the immediate scope of a summer internship. As space agencies and private aerospace corporations look toward establishing permanent infrastructure on the lunar surface and eventually sending crewed missions to Mars, in-space resource management has emerged as an absolute operational necessity. Propellant depots, orbital refueling stations, and reusable lunar landers all depend heavily on accurate, real-time measurements of liquid mass in microgravity. Without reliable gauging methods, spacecraft risk stranding crews or abandoning high-value scientific payloads simply due to unverified fuel margins.

By directly engaging with active commercial mission data, the SEES interns gained firsthand familiarity with the analytical tools, software frameworks, and problem-solving methodologies utilized daily across the aerospace industry. The program bridges the gap between theoretical classroom science and the rigorous demands of modern space exploration.

The SEES program specifically targets high-achieving rising high school juniors and seniors, offering them mentorship from leading scientists and engineers. The ongoing success of initiatives like the MATRIX team underscores the vital role that experiential STEM education plays in cultivating the next generation of aerospace pioneers. Supported by NASA cooperative agreement award number NNH15ZDA004C, the SEES internship operates under NASA’s broader Science Activation Program portfolio, which aims to seamlessly connect students with authentic scientific investigations through strategic partnerships with academic institutions, educators, and community organizations across the United States.

The members of the award-winning SEES Mission Architecture (MATRIX) Team include:

• Raiymbek Abdykalykov (The Woodlands, Texas)
• Emmanuel Bravo (Boca Raton, Florida)
• Winston Huang (San Francisco, California)
• Adrianna Krajnovic (Dallas, Texas)
• Marco Lo Cicero (Tomball, Texas)
• Henry Martin (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
• Reva Paul (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
• Swayam Sahoo (North Chelmsford, Massachusetts)

The project was expertly guided by Project Mentor Dr. Kevin M. Crosby of Carthage College and the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium, alongside Project Assistant Mauro Esquivel, a mathematics educator based in McAllen, Texas.

For additional information regarding the SEES Internship Program and application procedures, prospective applicants and educators can visit the official program portal hosted by the University of Texas Center for Space Research at https://www.csr.utexas.edu/sees-internship/.