Paper 14145-205
Paper 14145-205
Fine-guidance sensor image simulation and pointing performance assessment for the CubeSpec mission
7 July 2026 • 17:30 - 19:00 CEST | Room B4-M3
Abstract
CubeSpec is a 12U CubeSat scheduled for launch in 2027 as an in-orbit demonstrator for high-resolution astrophysical spectroscopy. With a pointing stability expected to be around 1 arcmin, its excellent attitude determination and control system (ADCS) remains to ensure the targets remain focussed in the 2.5 x 6.5 arcsec entrance slit of the spectrograph.
CubeSpec therefore incorporates a secondary pointing subsystem, the High Precision Pointing Platform (HPPP), which employs a closed-loop tip–tilt mirror coupled with a dedicated fine-guidance sensor (FGS). Accurate modelling of the FGS response is essential for predicting the achievable pointing performance.
In this paper, we present an image-simulation tool developed for the FGS, together with a performance assessment of the HPPP. The analysis combines simulated sensor data with hardware test results obtained at both the ADCS and HPPP levels, providing an end-to-end evaluation of the system’s expected on-orbit behaviour.
Presenter
KU Leuven (Belgium)
Dr Ir Pierre Royer is Research Expert at the Institute of Astronomy at KU Leuven. For about 15 years, he has played an active role in the instrument team of the Herschel-PACS instrument, following it from the most pristine develoment stages up to scientific exploitation in space. He has since been involved in the test and commissionning team of the JWST-MIRI instrument, and in the preparation of the PLATO and CubeSpec missions. He is co-author on well above 100 refereed publications, including articles on massive stars, star formation, interstellar medium, circumstellar chemistry, supernovae, instrument characterisation and calibration, data mining etc.