Miguel Nunes

Executive team

Miguel Nunes

Director, Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory

Assistant Professor, Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP)

Aerospace and Mechanical Engineer, Ph.D.

About

Miguel Nunes is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) and Director of the Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory (HSFL). Miguel received his Aerospace Engineering Degree from the Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal, and his Masters and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Miguel has worked as an engineer for HSFL since 2009 on small satellite mission development with applications to science instrumentation, such as the NASA HyTI mission, where he currently serves as the Systems Engineer and Deputy PI. For his Ph.D. research, Miguel developed a Multi-Agent Robotic System (MARS) for distributed space missions. He is the main lead for the research and development of the Satellite Testing Facility and a co-inventor of the the Comprehensive Open-architecture Solution for Mission Operations System (COSMOS, https://github.com/hsfl/cosmos).

Aerospace and Mechanical Engineer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor at the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology
Director of HSFL

Photos

At the ADCS testbed in the HSFL clean room
At the ADCS testbed in the HSFL clean room

Papers

  1. M. Nunes, R. Wright, P. Lucey, L. Flynn, T. Sorensen, E. Pilger, S. Ginoza, M. Wood, L. Yoneshige, G. Guerrero, Y. Onodera, L. Anderson, C. Swenson, S. Babu (2026). "HyTI-2: A Cryogenically Stabilized LWIR Hyperspectral CubeSat for High-Duty-Cycle Space Domain Awareness," Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies (AMOS) Conference, #26423. https://doi.org/10.64861/GMQY8641
  2. M. Nunes, N. Thompson, J. Sim, S. Mallari, D. Sarsozo Jr., J. Huang, J. Hasegawa, P. Lucey (2026). "Demonstration of a Low-Cost LWIR CubeSat Sensor Architecture for Distributed Thermal Space Domain Awareness," Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies (AMOS) Conference, #26421. https://doi.org/10.64861/NYOP7944
  3. M. Nunes, P. Kline, I. Rashed, P. Englert, W. Edmonson (2026). "Neutron-3: A Distributed CubeSat Swarm for Three-Dimensional Radiation Field Reconstruction in Cislunar Space," Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies (AMOS) Conference, #26408. https://amostech.com/TechnicalPapers/2026/Poster/Nunes1.pdf
  4. S. Mallari, D. Sarsozo, M. Nunes (2026). "Software-Defined SNACK Protocol for Reliable High-Throughput Data Transfer on MTU-Constrained Low-Cost UHF Radios," Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies (AMOS) Conference.
  5. M. Nunes, P. Lucey, N. Thompson, J. Sim, S. Mallari, D. Sarsozo Jr., J. Huang, J. Hasegawa, M. Murillo (2026). "CubeSats for Climate Change Monitoring (C3M): Demonstrating Interferometric IR Payloads Scalable to Constellations," 40th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, SSC26-P2-24. https://doi.org/10.26077/xkwn-ck32
  6. S. Mallari, D. Sarsozo, M. Nunes (2026). "Software-Defined SNACK Protocol for Reliable High-Throughput Data Transfer on MTU-Constrained Low-Cost UHF Radios," 40th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, SSC26-P1-73. https://doi.org/10.26077/xm6r-ze23
  7. M. Nunes, P. Kline (2026). "Demonstrating a Model-Based Systems Engineering Methodology for Small Satellites," 40th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, SSC26-P1-61.
  8. M. Nunes, R. Wright, P. Lucey, L. Flynn, T. Sorensen, E. Pilger, S. Ginoza, M. Wood, L. Yoneshige, G. Guerrero, Y. Onodera, L. Anderson, C. Swenson, S. Babu (2026). "HyTI-2: Advancing Hyperspectral Thermal Imaging into the Era of Space-Based Edge Processing," 40th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, SSC26-VII-01. https://doi.org/10.26077/2s6z-xn69
  9. S. Kim, M. Nunes, M. I. Rashed, L. Yoneshige, G. Guerrero, S. Ginoza, P. Kline (2026). "HITechSat-1: A Rapidly Integrable 3U Platform for University CubeSat Missions," 40th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, SSC26-P4-87. https://doi.org/10.26077/5ezb-q858
  10. M. Nunes, P. Kline, K. Salvador, P. Englert, W. Edmonson, C. Hardgrove, E. B. Johnson (2026). "Neutron-2: A Dual CubeSat Mission for Three-Dimensional Mapping of Neutron Radiation in Low Earth Orbit," 40th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, SSC26-RAIII-07.
  11. L. Anderson, C. Swenson, M. Nunes, R. Wright (2026). "Design and Performance of the Active Thermal Architecture Technology for the Upcoming ACMES Mission," 40th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, SSC26-III-05. https://doi.org/10.26077/9579-bd21
  12. C. S. Kirkconnell, M. A. Nunes, J. M. Baxter, N. A. Hudson, R. W. Kaszeta, J. T. Greenhalgh, I. Ruelich, L. Anderson, S. Ginoza (2026). "Cryocooler/Thermal System Design and Performance on the HyTI-2 Flight Mission," International Cryocooler Conference, Cryocoolers vol. 24.
  13. M. Nunes, P. Kline, W. Edmonson, P. Casau, T. Sorensen, E. Pilger (2026). "Conceptual MBSE Architecture for Autonomous and Cooperative CubeSat Swarms," Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium (4S 2026), Paper 243.
  14. C. Swenson, L. Anderson, S. Babu, C. Fish, M. Nunes, R. Wright (2026). "The Evolution of ACMES: How Science Performance, Thermal Control, and Onboard Processing Drove a CubeSat Concept into a Small Satellite Observatory," Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium (4S 2026), Paper 281.
  15. M. Nunes, R. Wright, P. Lucey, L. Flynn, L. Anderson, C. Swenson, S. Babu (2026). "HyTI-2: A Next-Generation Hyperspectral LWIR Payload Enabled by Active Thermal Architecture for Small Satellites," Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium (4S 2026), Paper 215.
  16. L. Anderson, C. Swenson, C. Fish, M. Nunes, R. Wright (2026). "The Active Thermal Architecture (ATA): An Advanced and Scalable Single-Phase Pumped Fluid Loop Active Thermal Control Technology for the Next Generation of High-Powered Payloads and Small Satellites," Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium (4S 2026), Paper 138.
  17. F. Bruhn, S. Petrik, N. Tsog, K. Kikuchi, H. Koyama, N. Nicholson, S. Moro, M. Nunes, L. Anderson, T. George (2026). "From Defense to Civil Space: Interoperable Mission Services for Autonomous Space Operations," Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium (4S 2026).
  18. M. A. Nunes, P. Casau (2026). "CubeSat Drone: The Development of a CubeSat Experimental Testbed," 2026 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky, MT. https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO66936.2026.11519814
  19. L. Anderson, C. Fish, M. Kirk, C. Swenson, M. Nunes, R. Wright, B. Mattos (2025). "ACMES: The Next Generation of Multispectral Earth Observations from a Small Satellite Platform," Proc. SPIE 13614, CubeSats, SmallSats, and Hosted Payloads for Remote Sensing IX. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3067717
  20. M. Nunes, P. Kline, P. Englert, C. Hardgrove, W. Edmonson, S. Ginoza (2025). "Neutron-2: Advancing Space Weather Monitoring and Anomaly Detection with a Dual CubeSat System," Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies (AMOS) Conference, Art. no. 126.
  21. L. Anderson, M. Kirk, C. Fish, B. Mattos, C. Swenson, M. Nunes, R. Wright (2025). "ACMES: The Next-Generation of Advanced LWIR Observations of the Earth," 39th Annual Small Satellite Conference, SSC25-II-03. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/smallsat/2025/all2025/159/
  22. P. L. Kline, M. A. Nunes (2025). "Developing a Model-Based Systems Engineering Methodology for Academic CubeSat Missions," 39th Annual Small Satellite Conference.
  23. L. Anderson, C. Swenson, B. Mattos, C. Fish, M. Nunes, R. Wright (2025). "Enabling the Next Generation of Advanced Small Satellites Through Active Thermal Control," Proc. SPIE 13546, Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium (4S 2024). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3062477
  24. M. Nunes, E. Chee, O. Montoya, W. Edmonson, S. Ginoza, E. Pilger (2025). "An Evaluation of Flight Software Platforms for Small Satellite Missions," Proc. SPIE 13546, Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium (4S 2024). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3062481
  25. L. S. Anderson, M. Nunes, R. Wright, C. S. Fish, C. Swenson (2025). "Hyperspectral LWIR Imaging of the Earth's Surface from a Small Satellite: The Second-Generation Hyperspectral Thermal Imager (HyTI 2.0)," SPIE Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXIX.
  26. C. Swenson, L. Anderson, C. Fish, B. Mattos, M. Nunes, R. Wright (2025). "ACMES: Demonstrating Advanced Thermal and Remote Sensing Technologies for CubeSat-Based Earth Observation," 2025 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS).
  27. S. Ginoza, G. Guerrero, M. Nunes (2025). "Optimizing CubeSat Development through Lean Manufacturing Principles," LeanSat Conference 2025.
  28. Nunes, et al. (2022). "Hyperspectral Thermal Imaging CubeSat for SSA applications," Proceedings of the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference, ISSN 2576-5965, Space Based Assets. https://amostech.com/TechnicalPapers/2022/Space-Based-Assets/Nunes.pdf.
  29. Nunes, M. A., Sorensen, T. C., & Pilger, E. J. (2015). On the development of a 6DoF GNC framework for docking multiple small satellites. AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, AIAA Science and Technology Forum, 1–14. doi:10.2514/6.2015-0868
  30. Nunes, M. A., Sorensen, T. C., Pilger, E. J., Garbeil, H. M., Lewis, J. R., Azimov, D. M., & Wood, M. (2014). Expanding the Comprehensive Open-architecture Space Mission Operations System (COSMOS) for Integrated Guidance, Navigation and Control of Multiple Small Satellites. In 13th International Conference on Space Operations 2014 (p. 1). doi:10.2514/6.2014-1835
  31. Sorensen, T. C., Nunes, M. A., Chan, J. K., Pilger, E. J., & Yoneshige, L. K. (2014). New Gateway to Space for Small Satellites by the Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory. In Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium, The 4s Symposium, 26-30 May 2014 in Porto Petro, Majorca, Spain.
  32. Sorensen, T. C., Pilger, E. J., & Nunes, M. A. (2014). Implementing the Comprehensive Open-architecture Space Mission Operations System (COSMOS) to Operate Multiple CubeSats. In 11th Annual CubeSat Developers’ Workshop, April 23-25, 2014, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA.
  33. Nunes, M. A., Sorensen, T. C., & Pilger, E. J. (2014). Cooperative Control of Multiple Small Satellites using the Comprehensive Open-architecture Space Mission Operations System. In 9th International ESA Conference on Guidance, Navigation & Control Systems, 2 to 6 June 2014, Oporto, Portugal.
  34. Sorensen, T. C., Pilger, E. J., Wood, M. S., Nunes, M. A., & Yoneshige, L. K. (2013). Mission design and operations of a constellation of small satellites for remote sensing. In K. D. Pham, J. L. Cox, R. T. Howard, & G. Chen (Eds.), SPIE 8739, Sensors and Systems for Space Applications VI, 873906 (May 21, 2013) (p. 873906). doi:10.1117/12.2016745
  35. Nunes, M. A. (2013). Satellite Constellation Optimization Method for Future Earth Observation Missions Using Small Satellites. Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, 146, 159–179.
  36. Sorensen, T. C., Pilger, E. J., Wood, M. S., & Nunes, M. A. (2012). A University-developed Comprehensive Open-architecture Space Mission Operations System (COSMOS) to Operate Multiple Space Vehicles. In SpaceOps 2012 Conference. Cleared for public release by NASA Ames (p. 1)
  37. Sorensen, T. C., Pilger, E. J., Wood, M. S., Nunes, M. A., Garbeil, H. M., Wessel, E. K., & Jamroz, W. (2012). Adapting an Open-architecture mission Operations System for a Lunar Rover Mission. In 63rd International Astronautical Congress. Naples, Italy.
  38. Sorensen, T., Pilger, E., Yost, B., Nunes, M., & Differding, J. (2012). "Plug and Play Mission Operations," 2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference, 1–13. doi:10.1109/AERO.2012.6187394
  39. Sorensen, T., Pilger, E., Wood, M., and Nunes, M. (2011). "Development of a Comprehensive Mission Operations System Designed to Operate Multiple Small Satellites," 25th Annual AIAA/Utah State University Conference on Small Satellites, August 8-11, 2011, Logan, UT. [PDF]
  40. Sorensen, T. C., Pilger, E. J., Wood, M. S., and Nunes, M. A. (2011). "Comprehensive Open-architecture Space Mission Operations System (COSMOS)." American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Plug-n-Play Mission Operations Workshop, May 16-17, 2011, San Jose, CA. [Link]
  41. Sorensen, T. C., Pilger, E. J., Wood, M. S., Gregory, E. D., and Nunes, M. A. (2010). "Development of the Mission Operations Support Tool (MOST)," American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SpaceOps 2010 Conference, April 25-30, 2010, Huntsville, AL. Paper #2010-2230. [PDF]
  42. Sorensen, T. C., Pilger, E. J., Wood, M. S., Gregory, E. D., and Nunes, M. A. (2010). "Development of the Mission Operations Support Tool (MOST)," American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SpaceOps 2010 Conference, April 25-30, 2010, Huntsville, AL. [Link]
  43. Sorensen, T. C., Lappas, V. J., Mouginis-Mark, P. J., Lucey, P. G., Taylor, G. J., Nunes, M. A., & Gregory, E. D. (2010). "Design of a Scientific Lunar Micro-Lander Mission," In International Space Conference of Pacific-basin Societies AAS 10-C.4.8.

All team members