Jan Skácel on internship in Belgium used plasma physics on aerospace applications

Jan Skácel graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Physics and then a Master's degree in Plasma Physics and Nanotechnology, where he studied Multi-Fluid Models in Plasma Physics Problems under the supervision of Dr. Zdeněk Bonaventura, Ph.D. from the Plasma Diagnostics and Modelling research group.

"I have been looking for an opportunity to combine the study of plasma physics with space applications since the beginning of my studies at MUNI," he recalls. This dream became a reality in the last year of his Master's degree when he went on his first Erasmus+ internship at the von Karman Institute (VKI) in Belgium on his advisor's recommendation. During his several-month internship, he worked with a research group in the field of astronautics. His successful completion of the internship paved the way for further collaboration.

Jan Skácel's academic journey took a significant turn at the beginning of his PhD studies when he enrolled in the one-year course "Research Master in Fluid Dynamics." This course, recommended by his supervisor, Prof. Thierry Magin. This intensive two-semester course in fluid dynamics, designed for students from NATO countries, has a long tradition and serves as a follow-up to existing knowledge with direct application to real problems. The requirement for each student to develop a project during the course that is directly supported by industrial partners adds great value and prestige to the course, making it a significant milestone in Jan Skácel's academic journey.

What explicitly is your scientific work about?

During my internship, I started working on charging satellites in very low Earth orbit. This topic was also the subject of my project. Satellites are constantly exposed to extreme conditions due to solar and cosmic radiation. This radiation can lead to fatal damage to their systems. One of the side effects is the charging of satellites, which can cause discharges on their surface, leading to damage to circuits or measuring instruments.

However, in a very low orbit, there is also the ionosphere. The ionosphere consists of neutral gas and charged particles of considerable density. The effect of these charged particles on the charging of satellites and their subsequent impact on the equipment still needs to be fully understood. My task is to perform computer simulations to understand these phenomena better. I will continue focusing on this topic during my PhD studies and study specific nonequilibrium phenomena. Such phenomena are, for example, the transition between day and night, when the characteristics of the ionosphere change significantly, or the passage through auroral regions, where charged particles with much higher energy are also found. These phenomena can then have a significant impact on the charging of satellites.

It is a fascinating topic that you are very enthusiastic about and enjoy. It's clear why you went to the VKI again. But weren't you tempted by another institution and place?

I hadn't even considered another institution. VKI is a prestigious research institute that works with organizations such as ESA, NASA, and DLR in Germany. That opens up huge opportunities for students to work together in the long term. And it has always been my goal to establish such a collaboration with a space company. Another reason for me is the team at VKI, which is professional and very friendly. I made some close friends during my previous internship. I knew I would be going to a familiar environment again, which played a significant role.

What new things did you learn?

The course included a wide range of lectures, from the basics of fluid dynamics to specific applications in experiments. There were many new topics that I had never encountered while studying physics at MUNI. In addition, each student had to lead their assigned project independently, from the project design and structure to team leading and regularly presenting the results to professors or an audience. It pushed me forward in my speaking skills. During my internship, I also had the opportunity to participate in a workshop at ESTEC ESA in the Netherlands, where I presented my results to experts on the topic of satellite charging. Initially, I was afraid, but the VKI preparation made me feel more confident. Such an experience has pushed me even further.

Can you evaluate what your internship has brought you?

Overall, this year at the VKI has been a journey of growth. The internship was demanding, but the rewards were worth it. I have gained new contacts and opportunities for further collaboration. For instance, my successful presentation at ESA has opened doors for me to work with their team during my PhD studies. I have also planned another stay at the VKI, this time as a double-supervised PhD student, where I will be involved in several projects related to very low Earth orbit research. This valuable experience is a testament to the support and motivation I received throughout my internship from my supervisor here in Brno, Dr. Zdeněk Bonaventura.

Thanks for the interview, and I wish you the best!