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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the CubeSpec say? "I've got a square deal.

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CubeSpec
Mission typeAsteroseismology,
technology demonstration
Operator European Space Agency
Websitefys.kuleuven.be/ster/instruments/cubespec
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type12U CubeSat
ManufacturerBelgium KU Leuven
Start of mission
Launch date2027 (planned)
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeSun-synchronous
Altitude500 km
← GENA-OT
GOMX-5 →

CubeSpec is a future astronomy CubeSat mission under development by the European Space Agency (ESA) and KU Leuven.[1][2] Its objective is to test a low-cost small satellite platform for long-term spectroscopic monitoring of stars from space on the specific case of asteroseismology of massive stars. Similar satellites can be used for many astronomical applications including characterization of exoplanets.[3][4] CubeSpec is scheduled to launch in mid-2027.[5]

Technology

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CubeSpec is testing an easily reconfigurable platform with the potential of observing in a broad range of wavelengths (in visible ligh and UV) and resolutions.[6][7][8][9][10] To achieve the extreme pointing accuracy needed for the observations, the satellite is equipped with a High-Precision Pointing Platform (HPPP) which uses a rapidly tilting fine steering mirror to redirect starlight towards the spectrograph.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Sawczynec, Erica (2024-09-23). "High-Resolution Optical Spectroscopy from a CubeSat? It's more likely than you think!". Retrieved 2025-11-11.
  2. ↑ Kulu, Erik. "CubeSpec". Nanosats Database. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
  3. ↑ "CubeSpec". Departement Natuurkunde en Sterrenkunde. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
  4. ↑ "CubeSpec". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
  5. ↑ "CubeSpec". Departement Natuurkunde en Sterrenkunde. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
  6. ↑ Bowman, D. M.; Vandenbussche, B.; Sana, H.; Tkachenko, A.; Raskin, G.; Delabie, T.; Vandoren, B.; Royer, P.; Garcia, S.; Reeth, T. Van (2022-02-01). "The CubeSpec space mission - I. Asteroseismology of massive stars from time-series optical spectroscopy: Science requirements and target list prioritisation". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 658: A96. arXiv:2111.09814. Bibcode:2022A&A...658A..96B. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202142375. ISSN 0004-6361.
  7. ↑ Raskin, Gert; Delabie, Tjorven; Munter, Wim De; Sana, Hugues; Vandenbussche, Bart; Vandoren, Bram; Antoci, Victoria; Kjeldsen, Hans; Karoff, Christoffer (2018-06-28), "CUBESPEC: Low-cost space-based astronomical spectroscopy", in Siegler, Nicholas; Tong, Edward C.; Batalha, Natalie; Fazio, Giovanni G.; Lystrup, Makenzie; MacEwen, Howard A. (eds.), Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Optical, vol. 10698, p. 205, arXiv:1805.11848, Bibcode:2018SPIE10698E..5RR, doi:10.1117/12.2314074, ISBN 978-1-5106-1949-4
  8. ↑ "The CubeSpec mission: enabling spectroscopy from a CubeSat platform". Sorbonne Université (in French). Retrieved 2025-11-11.
  9. ↑ Vandenbussche, Bart; Raskin, Gert; Royer, Pierre; Bowman, Dominic; Sana, Hugues; Tkachenko, Andrew; Goris, Jan; Schuermans, Job; Vandepitte, Dirk; De Maeyer, Jeroen; Heylen, Filip; De Munter, Wim; Kempenaers, Maarten; Lanting, Jelle; Vandoren, Bram (2022-08-27). "The CubeSpec mission". In Coyle, Laura E.; Perrin, Marshall D.; Matsuura, Shuji (eds.). Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2022: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave. SPIE. p. 4. doi:10.1117/12.2628252. ISBN 978-1-5106-5341-2.
  10. ↑ Peri, Leonardo; De Maeyer, Jeroen; De Munter, Wim; Keunen, Mathijs; Vandepitte, Dirk (2025). "Development of a High-Precision Pointing Platform for the CubeSpec Mission". AIAA 2025. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi:10.2514/6.2025-2318. ISBN 978-1-62410-723-8.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: periodical has ISBN (link)
  11. ↑ "Pointing in the (b)right direction". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
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