Dr. Pablo Machuca, Cranfield University

Pablo Machuca recently completed his Ph.D. on CubeSat Mission Design and Autonomy for Asteroid Exploration at Cranfield University (UK). He previously completed a Master of Science in Astrodynamics and Space Applications at Purdue University (USA), and a Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spain).

Pablo's research interests revolve around the concept of interplanetary mission design, autonomous operations, small-spacecraft technology, and small-body exploration. He is currently involved in the analysis of attitude control and stability for JAXA's 24U CubeSat in the 2028 Comet Interceptor Mission, and he will soon join UC San Diego (USA) as a postdoctoral researcher on Cislunar Orbit Determination.

Pablo was also awarded a Short-term Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan (2020) by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

Cranfield University