The NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Internship Program, hosted at the University of Texas Center for Space Research, has achieved a significant milestone in aerospace engineering education. During the summer of 2026, a cohort of high-achieving high school students forming the Mission Architecture Tool for Research, Integration, and eXploration (MATRIX) team demonstrated that rigorous, mission-critical analysis is not the sole domain of seasoned professionals. By leveraging publicly available mission data and advanced computational modeling, the team successfully developed a methodology to predict optimal windows for Modal Propellant Gauging (MPG) on the upcoming Intuitive Machines IM-3 lunar mission. This achievement underscores a critical challenge for the Artemis program: how to accurately measure fuel in microgravity environments where traditional mechanical gauges fail.
The Challenge of Propellant Dynamics in Microgravity
In the vacuum of space, liquid propellants do not behave as they do on Earth. Instead of settling at the bottom of a tank under the influence of gravity, fluids tend to cling to tank walls and float in unpredictable configurations. For NASA’s Artemis missions, which aim to establish a sustainable presence on the lunar surface, the ability to precisely monitor fuel levels is essential. Without accurate gauging, mission controllers cannot reliably determine how much propellant remains for critical maneuvers such as lunar orbit insertion or descent.
The MPG technology, developed by Dr. Kevin Crosby and his research colleagues at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, offers a sophisticated solution. Rather than relying on physical contact or buoyancy, MPG utilizes the acoustic response of propellant tanks. By measuring the resonant frequencies—essentially the "sound" of the tank—engineers can infer the mass of the liquid propellant inside. This technology is scheduled for a high-stakes demonstration on the Intuitive Machines IM-3 mission, which features the "Trinity" lander destined for the Reiner Gamma region of the Moon in 2027. The MATRIX team’s primary objective was to determine when, during the complex phases of a lunar mission, the conditions are stable enough for MPG sensors to provide reliable, high-fidelity data.
Chronology of the MATRIX Research Project
The project operated on an accelerated schedule typical of the intensive SEES internship cycle. Throughout the summer of 2026, the team followed a structured research progression:
- Early Summer (Foundation and Data Acquisition): Students identified and curated datasets from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF). They focused specifically on the trajectory records of the IM-1 and IM-2 missions, which provided the necessary baseline for their reconstruction algorithm.
- Mid-Summer (Computational Modeling): The team engaged in heavy computational work, developing a reconstruction algorithm that could emulate the flight paths of Intuitive Machines landers. This phase included running intensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to predict slosh dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations to assess the statistical probability of various propellant states during flight.
- Late Summer (Analytical Results and Validation): The team synthesized their models to identify specific "windows of opportunity"—moments during primary engine burns, such as Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) and Powered Descent, where the propellant state is sufficiently predictable for MPG readings.
- Post-Internship (Dissemination): The students formalized their findings, presenting their research to Intuitive Machines propulsion engineers, followed by presentations at the SEES Annual Symposium and the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium.
Methodology: Reconstructing Missions from Public Data
The MATRIX team’s work is notable for its reliance on open-source intelligence. By strictly utilizing publicly available mission telemetry and flight records, the students reconstructed the performance characteristics of the Intuitive Machines landers. By comparing the actual flight paths of the IM-2 spacecraft against a theoretical model of the craft in a "thrust-off" state, the interns were able to isolate the velocity changes attributed to specific engine burns.
This mathematical "reverse engineering" allowed the students to understand the fuel consumption rates required to achieve specific lunar trajectories. Once they had established a model for IM-1 and IM-2, they applied this knowledge to the anticipated IM-3 profile. Their analysis revealed that the spacecraft’s starting mass—the amount of propellant loaded prior to launch—is the most significant variable determining the duration and accuracy of the gauging windows. Furthermore, by simulating various launch opportunities for 2027, the team mapped out potential landing site distributions near the Reiner Gamma region, providing a comprehensive look at the logistical constraints of the mission.
Official Responses and Mentorship
The success of the MATRIX team has garnered significant attention from the academic and professional aerospace communities. Dr. Kevin Crosby, who served as the project’s lead mentor, praised the students for their rapid mastery of complex aerospace concepts.
"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."
The interaction with Intuitive Machines engineers was a pivotal moment for the students. By walking the engineers through their methodologies, the team validated the feasibility of using public data to conduct high-level mission analysis, effectively bridging the gap between student research and real-world aerospace operations.
Broader Implications for Sustained Lunar Exploration
The implications of the MATRIX team’s research extend well beyond the scope of a summer internship. Propellant management is a cornerstone requirement for the future of space exploration. As NASA and its commercial partners shift toward an era of in-space refueling and the development of orbital fuel depots, the ability to accurately measure mass in microgravity will become increasingly vital.
The work performed by the MATRIX team contributes directly to the technological readiness level (TRL) of MPG systems. By identifying the exact timing required for reliable readings, they have provided mission planners with a clearer roadmap for incorporating MPG into future landing sequences. This research is not merely an academic exercise; it is a practical contribution to the safety and efficiency of lunar surface operations.
Fostering the Next Generation of Aerospace Talent
The SEES program, supported by the NASA Science Activation Program (award number NNH15ZDA004C), is designed to provide 11th and 12th-grade students with authentic experiences in scientific research. For over a decade, the program has served as a pipeline for talent, connecting high schoolers with mentors from NASA, academia, and industry leaders.
The MATRIX team of 2026—comprising Raiymbek Abdykalykov, Emmanuel Bravo, Winston Huang, Adrianna Krajnovic, Marco Lo Cicero, Henry Martin, Reva Paul, and Swayam Sahoo—represents a demographic of students who are prepared to tackle the complexities of modern engineering. Under the guidance of Dr. Crosby and project assistant Mauro Esquivel, a mathematics teacher from McAllen, Texas, the team demonstrated the value of collaborative, mission-focused research.
As the team prepares to present their findings at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Annual Meeting in San Francisco in December 2026, their work serves as a testament to the effectiveness of immersive STEM education. The ability to model the behavior of liquid propellant in the unforgiving environment of deep space is a significant hurdle; by successfully tackling this, the MATRIX team has proven that the next generation of engineers is already well-equipped to support the ambitious goals of the Artemis program and the future of human exploration beyond Earth. Through their efforts, they have contributed to the fundamental knowledge required to keep spacecraft operational and missions successful, setting a high bar for future cohorts of the SEES program.
