Paper 14145-133
Paper 14145-133
CubeSpec: development of the Payload Control Unit for a high-resolution spectroscopy CubeSat
5 July 2026 • 17:30 - 19:00 CEST | Room B4-M3
Abstract
The CubeSpec mission at KU Leuven brings optical spectroscopy to a 12U CubeSat platform to study massive stars, addressing the challenge of integrating advanced instrumentation in a compact, power-limited spacecraft. High pointing stability is achieved through three piezo actuators rotating a Fine Steering Mirror in closed-loop feedback with a Fine Guidance Sensor and actuator strain-gauge readings. The guidance and science detectors use GSENSE2020BSI CMOS sensors, each interfaced by an Artix-7 FPGA and streamed to a Zynq-7000–based payload processor. Additional components include high-voltage piezo drivers, an ADXL355 microvibration experiment, and CSP-based links for onboard communication and science data transfer.
Presenter
KU Leuven (Belgium)
Sibo is a PhD researcher at KU Leuven’s Institute of Astronomy, where he works at the intersection of aerospace and embedded electronics. Building on degrees in Electromechanics (2020) and Electronics-ICT (2022), he focuses on electronics for space-borne astronomical instruments.
He is currently developing the payload electronics for CubeSpec, a 12U CubeSat space telescope designed to make high-resolution spectroscopy accessible across multiple wavelength ranges.