SPOK Learn Lab
The IT:U Space Lab
The Smart Sensing and Systems Laboratory (S³ Lab) is proud to announce the launch of SPOK - IT:U Space Lab, our newest initiative dedicated to the future of intelligent systems in space. As a natural extension of our lab’s core expertise in Edge AI and smart sensors, SPOK aims to push the boundaries of what is possible in Earth observation, satellite communication, and autonomous space exploration 🛰️
The creation of SPOK is driven by a simple yet ambitious goal: to demystify space technology and make it an accessible hands-on learning experience. In an era where digital transformation is reshaping every industry, the space sector is experiencing an unprecedented revolution driven by miniaturization, artificial intelligence, and smart sensors. The SPOK Lab was born from this convergence and will serve as a nexus for interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together students from diverse backgrounds to solve the complex challenges of deploying intelligent systems in the space environment.
Our Mission: Learn by Building 🛠️
In perfectly aligning with IT:U’s Project-Based Learning philosophy, SPOK is a hands-on engineering hub. Our main mission over the next three years is the design, development, integration, and launch of IT:U’s first CubeSat.
This flagship project will serve as the primary teaching platform, offering students an end-to-end experience in building a real-world space system. To supplement this core mission and provide accessible entry points for students of all levels, the lab will also heavily utilize CubeSat Educational Kits. This dual approach ensures that all students can learn the fundamentals of space system engineering before contributing to our primary satellite mission 🚀
Beyond its educational mission, the SPOK Lab will also serve as a research platform for thesis projects and Ph.D. dissertations. This will enable students to conduct advanced research, contributing to novel scientific discoveries and technological innovations in the space domain.
Key Learning & Research Areas 🔬
SPOK is an interdisciplinary lab at its core, welcoming students and collaborators from different backgrounds. The key topics of study will include:
- 🧠 On-Board Data Processing (Edge AI): Implementing and testing lightweight machine learning models on radiation-tolerant microcontrollers for real-time data analysis and event detection in orbit.
- 👀 Smart Sensor Integration: Designing and integrating advanced sensing payloads, including hyperspectral imagers and IoT-based sensors, for novel Earth observation and scientific missions.
- 🛡️ Fault-Tolerant & Resilient Systems: Developing robust software and hardware architectures that can withstand harsh radiation, temperature fluctuations, and the vacuum of space.
- 🔋 Low-Power Embedded Systems: Mastering power management techniques to ensure that the satellite can operate efficiently using only the energy harvested from its solar panels.
- 📡 Satellite Communication Protocols: Establishing a reliable data link between our CubeSat and a dedicated ground station, enabling command, control, and data downlink.
- ⚙️ Space Systems Engineering: Applying systematic approaches for the complete project lifecycle, from mission definition and requirements engineering to verification, validation, and pre-launch testing.
Lab Infrastructure & Hardware 🏗
To facilitate our goals, SPOK will be equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software, including:
- CubeSat Development Platform: The core structure and subsystems for our flagship satellite.
- Educational Satellite Kits: For foundational training and rapid prototyping of subsystem concepts.
- A Dedicated Ground Station: For tracking, communicating with, and controlling our satellite once in orbit.
- Environmental Testing Equipment: Access to facilities for simulating the launch and space environment (e.g., vibration table, thermal vacuum chamber).
- Rapid Prototyping Tools: 3D printers, PCB milling machines, and electronics workstations to build custom components and payloads.
We are incredibly excited to embark on this journey and to build a new hub for space innovation here at IT:U. If you are a student, researcher, or potential industry partner passionate about space, AI, and hands-on engineering, we encourage you to get in touch and join us on our mission 👋
Official Launch of SPOK Learn Lab Page!
October 09, 2025
Luigi Presented @ the ECS 2025 Summer School!
August 28, 2025
