Report: Visiting Student Research Program at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
In the summer of 2022 MSc student Khadija Sarguroh took part in a research project at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
This summer, the Gerry Grimstone Travel award allowed me to travel to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California to take part in their visiting student research program which allows students to work on NASA missions under the mentorship of a JPL scientist.
For a month, I joined the Optical and Quantum Systems Engineering group working on the Deep Space Quantum Link project, a mission which aims to conduct experiments using quantum optical links in deep space for the purposes of demonstrating their use for quantum communication and testing fundamental physics. Under the supervision of Dr Makan Mohageg, I worked on developing a novel system concept for satellite-based quantum communications with the use of quantum memories. The project allowed me to use the skills and techniques I had learned while completing my master's thesis for the MSc in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics and apply them in the context of a space mission in an extremely supportive and engaging group. I am continuing to work with the team to develop the system and analyse its performance for implementing various quantum communication protocols.
The groups at JPL work on a broad range of missions and there were many opportunities to attend talks, seminars and tours. This way, I got the chance to learn how complex space missions come together and how NASA is so successful in achieving their space exploration aims. Taking part in this program, I got to explore ground-breaking space missions such as the retrieval of the mars sample, operating satellites that monitor the effects of climate change and running quantum experiments on board the ISS. We were invited to take tours of the Mars yard that teams at JPL use to test rovers, watch spacecraft such as NISAR and the Europa Clipper being constructed, and visit the mission control room from which the rovers and satellites are operated. Many members of my group worked on the Cold Atom Lab Project, a quantum experiment which is currently running on the ISS and during my stay they celebrated their 4th anniversary. The celebrations included inspiring talks from Astronaut Kristina Koch about living on the ISS and installing the Cold Atom Lab and Nobel Laureate Eric Cornell on the motivation behind putting quantum experiments in space.
Celebrating the 4th anniversary of the Cold Atom Lab being installed on the ISS with Astronaut Kristina Koch and Nobel Laureate Eric Cornell.
The JPL site was beautiful, the daily commute featured stunning views of the San Gabriel Mountain range, and the campus was a haven for wildlife. The gardens were always buzzing with hummingbirds and crawling with colourful lizards. Quite often, a family of deer would wander around looking for fallen flowers, a little bunny rabbit was a regular and on one occasion a possum appeared at our cafeteria! As a wildlife lover being able to see so many animals at my workplace was wonderful and made the experience of working at JPL even more special.
My delight at being surprised by an opossum in the campus cafeteria at lunchtime.
This was my first experience of life in Southern California, and I made sure to spend my weekends making the most of being in the region. The San Gabriel mountains provided amazing trails for evening hikes with spectacular views of LA and being so close to some of the most stunning beaches, an early morning hike followed by a day at the beach made for a perfect weekend. After the research program had ended, I stayed an extra week to go on a camping trip to Sequoia National Park, where we visited General Sherman, the world's largest tree. Here, I had one of my favourite hiking experiences: An epic 22-mile hike up to Alta peak which at an altitude of 3,416m above sea level tested the limits of my endurance and stamina. The jaw-dropping landscapes throughout the hike made the journey well worth the effort and on our way down I even came face to face with my very first marmot! The wildlife appearances on this trip did not disappoint, our campsite had chipmunks and squirrels running about, we spotted mountain quail while hiking and, my personal highlight, was a black bear that woke me up one morning while attempting to search for food on our campsite!
Hiking up to Alta Peak in Sequoia National Park.
Taking part in this research program was a highlight of my academic career so far. Not only did I get the chance to make connections with a team working on some of the most exciting space missions, but I was able to make my own contributions to their work. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the group at JPL and I am grateful to the support that Merton and the Gerry Grimstone Travel award provided in making this experience possible.