Sometimes it is rocket science

Joshua Critchley-Marrows, who is in his fourth year of his Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science, is about to have a summer break like no other – he is heading off for a three-month internship in the German Aerospace Centre.  

Majoring in physics and mathematics in his science degree, and aerospace engineering in his engineering degree, Joshua is well placed to apply his knowledge in the centre – known internationally as DLR (in German: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt). 

“For a number of years now, I have known of the fantastic work that DLR has been conducting for the world space community, and it is something I wished to be part of,” said Joshua.    

Joshua set up the internship himself, by contacting the DLR directly and speaking to their Institute of Space Propulsion over the phone. He was asked to send a CV and cover letter to the DLR, and he received the offer for his internship a few days later.

“I’ll be working on investigating the use of turbomachinery in rocket engines. To describe it exactly, I will be researching and implementing design methods and loss models for radial inflow turbines, and studying their possible use cases in rocket engines.”

Leaving Australia at the end of November to start his internship on 1 December, Joshua is looking forward to his work opportunity and life in Germany.    

“I absolutely love Europe, and I wish to become involved in the European Space community. I am an advocate for a space industry in Australia, as I believe we have great potential.”

Joshua will work at DLR in English, but has recently been learning German in his spare time, so living and travelling in Germany will be a fantastic opportunity for him to improve his German language skills.

In addition to his upcoming German experience, Joshua lived in Europe for the first semester of 2016, when he did an overseas exchange to the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. 

“My overseas exchange in Sweden was the best thing I have done at university so far. I strongly recommend every single student to apply for an international exchange!”

Earning excellent results throughout his four years at university so far, Joshua is enjoying his Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science studies at the University of Sydney.

“I particularly enjoy the passion of my fellow students and lecturers. This is especially the case for people working in the space sector, where everyone has such a drive to achieve great things,” said Joshua. 

“It is a shame the Australian government has not put space on the agenda, as we really have such potential.”

“For my future career, I wish to be a space engineer. Ultimately, I would love to become an astronaut with the European Space Agency, but I have a long way to go!”