Master Thesis – Soft landing system for Payloads

SSC Space is a global provider of advanced space services, with expertise in areas such as satellite communications, engineering services, and rocket and balloon systems. At Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, we launch sounding rockets that enable scientific experiments in microgravity.
Sounding rocket payloads launched from Esrange may land in woodland, lakes or rocky terrain. Landing conditions and the performance of the recovery system can affect the level of damage sustained by the payload. Repairs can be costly, and severe damage to an experiment module may also result in the loss of valuable scientific data.
The purpose of this thesis is to explore an energy-absorbing solution that reduces the loads experienced by the payload during ground impact.

Responsibilities

The thesis will focus on developing and evaluating an energy-absorbing concept suitable for integration into the bottom of a sounding rocket payload module.

The work will include:

• Conducting a literature review of how rockets, re-entry vehicles and other impact-sensitive structures are protected during landing or impact.
• Investigating solutions used in other industries, such as deformable structures and airbag systems.
• Analyzing how different landing conditions affect the loads experienced by the payload.
• Evaluating potential concepts based on factors such as mass, volume, robustness and refurbishment requirements.
• Proposing an energy-absorbing concept suitable for a sounding rocket payload module.
• Developing a simplified analytical or numerical model to predict payload deceleration.
• Depending on the available time, implementing the concept on a scale model and performing a drop test to evaluate its performance.

The thesis may explore questions such as:

• How are high-impact loads managed in other industries?
• How do different landing conditions affect the impact loads experienced by the payload?
• Which energy-absorbing concepts are most suitable for a sounding rocket payload?
• How can peak deceleration be reduced without compromising structural integrity or recovery operations?
• Which testing or simulation method is most appropriate for verifying the proposed concept?
• Can a simplified model be used to predict payload deceleration under different landing conditions?

Requirements

We are looking for Master’s students with a relevant academic background, for example in mechanical engineering, engineering physics, aerospace engineering or a related field.

We believe that you have:

• An interest in structural mechanics, impact dynamics and mechanical design.
• Knowledge of analytical modelling, numerical simulation or engineering calculations.
• An interest in developing and testing practical engineering concepts.
• The ability to work independently and approach technical problems in a structured way.
• Good written and spoken English.

Experience with CAD, finite element analysis, dynamic simulation, prototyping or mechanical testing is considered an advantage.

Benefits

• The opportunity to work on a real engineering challenge within the space industry.
• Access to experienced specialists, technical data and relevant testing equipment.
• Practical experience of how engineering, research and testing are applied in sounding rocket missions.
• Insight into both the Swedish and international space industry.
• An exciting and international workplace with an open and collaborative atmosphere.

Location
The thesis will be carried out in collaboration with the SSC Space team in Solna.

Next Step
Please submit your application, including your CV, academic transcripts and a short description of why you are interested in the thesis.
The application deadline is 2026-09-30 and the thesis is expected to begin in January 2027.
Please note that an approved pre-employment screening is required before the thesis can begin.