Rice Student Interns at Houston NASA Center

A computational mathematics student helped develop analysis tools for the future deorbiting of the space station.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Internships

A metallic data-processing array module in a sterile, modern aerospace research laboratory environment. — Rice University student Malvika Bhardwaj completed an internship at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where she developed analysis tools for the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Rice University student Malvika Bhardwaj completed a significant internship at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. During her time there, she created critical analysis tools intended for the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle.

Why it matters

The U.S. Deorbit Vehicle is a pivotal component of NASA's mission to eventually decommission the International Space Station. Mentorship programs at the center continue to bridge the gap between academic study and mission-critical engineering projects.

Engineers at the Johnson Space Center dedicate 2 hours each week to providing technical instruction on orbital mechanics and control systems. This mentorship supports the agency's goal of training the next generation of space program employees.

The players

Malvika Bhardwaj

She is a computational and applied mathematics student at Rice University who completed an internship at NASA.

Daniel Cohen

He is a Guidance, Navigation & Control engineer at NASA's Johnson Space Center who mentors current interns.

Rice University

This is a private research university located in Houston that maintains strong ties to local aerospace research initiatives.

Johnson Space Center

This facility is the primary site for human spaceflight training and research operations for NASA in Houston.

The details

Malvika Bhardwaj, a computational and applied mathematics student at Rice University, worked directly under the guidance of agency engineers. Her primary contribution involved developing tools to support the project that will safely deorbit the International Space Station.

Daniel Cohen began his career as a NASA intern in 2020.
Daniel Cohen transitioned to a full-time engineering role in August 2024.
National Mentoring Day was observed on October 27, 2026.

Market Landscape

This internship project aligns with the operational requirements of the International Space Station Deorbit Plan. The work reflects a broader industry trend of integrating university students directly into complex aerospace decommissioning and design challenges.

Students pursuing STEM degrees in Houston can leverage local research opportunities to gain direct exposure to major federal aerospace projects. These internships often serve as a professional pipeline for future full-time employment within the space sector.

The takeaway

Mentorship remains a vital component of successful aerospace engineering projects at high-level research facilities. Students should seek out specialized programs that pair them with experienced staff to maximize their technical learning.