Space systems · CubeSats · Research & education

Javier Andrés Garcia-Scrigna

Physicist, researcher and university lecturer working on space technology and small satellites. At ITBA, I combine research and teaching with my role as director of the CubeSat Project. My work at CNEA contributes experience in spacecraft hardware, power systems, environmental testing and technology transfer.

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Javier Andrés Garcia-Scrigna, CNEA researcher and director of the ITBA CubeSat Project

Research: CNEA · Departamento Energía Solar
Research & teaching: ITBA · CubeSat Project Director
Also teaching at: UNSAM
Research since: 2007
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

14R&D projects

16technology and service contracts

4international journal articles

21conference works presented

2009teaching career began

01 Profile

Space technology and academic leadership

I connect research, technology development, and the education and training of technicians, engineers, and other professionals, fostering a critical perspective and an applied approach to addressing complex problems and transforming knowledge into concrete solutions.

At the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA), I work as a researcher, lecturer, and director of the CubeSat Project. This activity connects multidisciplinary development with the education and training of technicians, engineers, and other professionals, while strengthening the university’s space technology capabilities.

At CNEA, where I have worked since 2007, I develop hardware for satellite missions and lead projects focused on small-satellite power systems. My background in space photovoltaics, radiation effects, integration and environmental testing supports this broader work in space technology and institutional collaboration.

CubeSat platform developmentSpacecraft power systemsSpace-hardware integrationEnvironmental qualificationSpace photovoltaics & radiation effectsTechnology and innovation management

Current appointments

CNEA · Departamento Energía Solar

Permanent Researcher2021–present

Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA)

Part-time Researcher · Assistant Professor · CubeSat Project Director2020/2026–present

Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)

Teaching Assistant Professor2021–present

02 Background

Professional history

Education and experience

A chronological record of academic formation and professional appointments.

Academic formation

In progress

MSc in Design and Management of Technology and Innovation

Universidad Nacional de San Martín

Coursework completed (2023–2024); currently writing the thesis.

2019

PhD in Science and Technology · Physics

Instituto Sabato · UNSAM / CNEA

Thesis: Simulation and characterization of radiation damage in solar cells.

2011

Licenciado en Ciencias Físicas

Universidad de Buenos Aires

Thesis on spectral response in monolithic III–V multijunction solar cells.

2012

Research stay

Instituto de Energía Solar · Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Three-month research stay within the Argentina–Spain scientific cooperation program on III–V solar cells.

Professional appointments

2026–present

Part-time Researcher

ITBA · Research and Doctoral Department

Direction of ITBA’s CubeSat Project, connecting research, multidisciplinary development, and technical and professional education.

2021–present

Permanent Researcher

CNEA · Departamento Energía Solar

Space photovoltaic systems, environmental testing, solar-array development and technology transfer.

2020–2021

Postdoctoral Fellow

CNEA

Study of photovoltaic devices for space and terrestrial applications.

2011–2020

Doctoral Research Fellow

CONICET · UNSAM · CNEA

Multijunction solar cells, semiconductor defects, radiation damage and electrical verification of flight solar-cell assemblies.

2007–2011

Research and Development

CNEA · Solar Energy Group

Characterization of multijunction solar cells, environmental testing of space devices and simulation of satellite solar panels.

2005–2007

Technical and administrative roles

IMTECK Argentina S.A.

Computer maintenance, telecommunications networks, customer service, purchasing and sales support.

03 Research

Research and development

Space projects and technology development

Fourteen R&D projects and a sustained record of mission-oriented technology work.

Current project leadership and participation

2026–presentDirector

Development of a CubeSat platform

ITBA

Direction of the university’s CubeSat Project, bringing together subsystem development, research, and technical and professional education.

2021–presentProject Director

Low-cost solar panels for pico-, nano- and microsatellites

ANPCyT · PICT-2021-I-INVI-00091

CurrentResearch team member

Integration of solar panels for the ATENEA satellite mission

CNEA · CONAE · UNLP

2021–presentResearch team member

III–V semiconductor solar cells for space applications

ANPCyT · PICT-2021-I-A-00206

Earlier R&D projects 10 records

Charged-particle radiation effects on multijunction solar cells and other satellite devices · ANPCyT PICT-2007
Comparative characterization of III–V multijunction cells · Universidad Politécnica de Madrid seed project
Theoretical and experimental study of solar cells for terrestrial and space applications · CONICET PIP 2009–2011
Fabrication, simulation and radiation testing of III–V solar cells · Argentina–Spain cooperation 2012–2013
Fabrication, characterization, simulation and testing of III–V solar cells · CONICET PIP 2012–2014
Grid-connected photovoltaic systems in urban environments · FONARSEC FITS Energía 008/2010
Defect structures in semiconductors applied to solar cells and devices · ANPCyT PICT-2013
Semiconductor materials for photovoltaic devices · CONICET PIP 2015–2017
Defect states in semiconductor films by Raman and photoluminescence techniques · ANPCyT PICT-2015
Fabrication, numerical simulation and testing of Si and III–V solar cells · ANPCyT PICT-2015

Selected technology-transfer record

2009–2012

INVAP and SAC-D/Aquarius

Space solar sensors; integration and environmental testing of flight solar panels.

2012–2017

SAOCOM 1A and 1B

Detailed engineering, electrical integration, qualification hardware and flight solar-panel subassemblies.

Completed

Satellogic

Integration of space solar panels as part of CNEA technology and services agreements.

2021–2023

Innova Space

Team lead and project lead for panel design, integration and flight-panel fabrication for 0.5U missions.

2024–2025

EPIC Aerospace

Project lead and technical lead for solar-array sizing and integration on composite spacecraft structures.

The full CV records 16 scientific-technological service contracts and 13 technical reports.

04 Publications

Scientific production

Publications and conference activity

Peer-reviewed articles, international proceedings and presentations from 2007 to 2026.

International journals

2019
EDRA, the Argentine facility to simulate radiation damage in space
Radiation Physics and Chemistry 154, 79–84
2017
On the spectral response measurement of multijunction solar cells
Measurement Science and Technology 28, 055203
2017
10 MeV proton irradiation effects on GaInP/GaAs/Ge concentrator solar cells and their component subcells
Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 159, 576–582
2013
Development of solar arrays for Argentine satellite missions
Aerospace Science and Technology 26, 38–52

International conference proceedings 6 records

Development of solar panels for standard CubeSat · IAA Latin American Conference on Small Satellite Technologies and Applications (2024)
Technological facilities for development, fabrication, integration and testing of solar arrays for space applications · IAA LAUC (2017)
Effects of 10 MeV proton irradiation on III–V solar cells · 31st EuPVSEC (2015)
In-situ and ex-situ characterization of III–V semiconductor materials and solar cells upon 10 MeV proton irradiation · 28th EuPVSEC (2013)
Setup development for spectral-response measurement on multijunction solar cells · 25th EuPVSEC / 5th WCPEC (2010)
Activities on simulation and characterization of multijunction solar cells for space applications in Argentina · 23rd EuPVSEC (2008)

National publications and proceedings 6 records

Analysis of the first year of operation of the grid-connected photovoltaic system at Marambio Base, Antarctica (2017)
Advances in the implementation of the DLTS technique at CNEA's Departamento Energía Solar (2014)
Aquarius/SAC-D solar panels: flight-model integration, testing and on-orbit telemetry analysis (2011)
Development of a spectral-response measurement system for multijunction solar cells: final stage (2010)
Application of antireflective coatings in solar cells (2009)
Advances in the study of III–V semiconductor solar cells (2007)

Conference works presented 21 records · 2008–2026

Concept, Development and Design of a New CubeSat Project at ITBA · 2nd IAA Latin American Conference on Space and Society (2026)
Powering New Space in Argentina: Space Solar Panels, Public R&D and Emerging Space Ecosystems · 2nd IAA Latin American Conference on Space and Society (2026)
Energy for New Space · International event ‘Argentine Engineering in Space’, FIUBA (2025)
Development of Solar Panels for the CubeSat Standard · XIII Argentine Congress of Space Technology (2025)
Design, Test and Qualification of Components and Materials for Space Applications · COSPAR, Busan (2024)
Argentine development of solar cells and panels for space use · XII Argentine Congress of Space Technology (2023)
Space Solar Panels and Technology Linkage · 107th Meeting of the Argentine Physical Association (2022)
Solar cells for space applications: from laboratory scale to technology transfer · 106th AFA Meeting (2021)
A beam line to simulate the space environment at the TANDAR ion accelerator · 2nd IAA Latin American Symposium on Small Satellites (2019)
EDRA, the Argentine facility to simulate radiation damage in space · International Forum on Advances in Radiation Physics (2017)
A non-traditional approach to predict on-orbit proton damage on photovoltaic coarse sun sensors · IFARP (2017)
First DLTS measurements for radiation-damage studies in Argentina · IFARP (2017)
First measurements of defects in solar cells using DLTS · 100th AFA Meeting (2015)
Research and development in photovoltaic solar energy at CNEA's Departamento Energía Solar · Solar Cities (2014)
Simultaneous calibration during spectral-response measurement of monolithic multijunction solar cells · 99th AFA Meeting (2014)
Advances in implementing DLTS at CNEA · 98th AFA Meeting (2013)
Applications of nanoscience and nanotechnology in photovoltaic devices · XIII National Meeting on Surfaces and Nanostructured Materials (2013)
Aquarius/SAC-D solar panels: development, flight-model integration and on-orbit operation · 97th AFA Meeting (2012)
Spectral-response measurement of photovoltaic devices · 95th AFA Meeting (2010)
Automated spectral-response measurement of monolithic multijunction solar cells from 300 to 1900 nm · 94th AFA Meeting (2009)
Advances in measuring the spectral response of monolithic InGaP/GaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells · Joint AFA-SUF Meeting (2008)

05 Teaching

Academic activity

Teaching and human-resource development

Research and teaching at ITBA connect with CubeSat development; university teaching experience also includes UNSAM and UBA.

2020–present

Assistant Professor

ITBA

2021–present

Teaching Assistant Professor

UNSAM · School of Science and Technology

2018–2020

Practical Work Assistant

ITBA

2013–2022

Teaching appointments and invited lecturer

UNSAM · Physics and Satellite Power Electronics

2009–2012

Teaching Assistant

Universidad de Buenos Aires · Department of Physics

2016–2018

Secondary-school Physics Teacher

Instituto Carlos Steeb

Student supervision and tutoring 4 records

Co-supervisor, laboratory project on simultaneous calibration for multijunction-cell spectral response · UBA (2014–2015)
Supervisor, laboratory project on DLTS measurement-system improvements and solar-cell characterization · UBA (2022–2023)
Co-supervisor, professional fellowship on thermal and electrical modeling of space solar panels · CNEA (2022–2023)
Tutor, technical internship on reactivation of an ultra-fast thermal-cycling system for space applications · Educaditas (2024)

Teaching and postgraduate training 22 activities and courses

Formal training includes teaching strategies and evaluation, computational simulation, applied statistics, accelerator physics, philosophy of science, renewable energy, public-sector management and collaborative conflict management.

06 Service

Academic service and outreach

Scientific community and public engagement

Evaluation, mentoring, professional associations and two decades of science communication.

External reviewer for Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells (2018)

Member, Argentine Physical Association (AFA), since 2007

Member, coordinating committee of AFA's Industry and Technology Division (2022–2024)

Coordinator of CNEA's permanent research and applications seminar series (2022–2023)

Jury member, ITBA 100K LATAM entrepreneurship competition (2018–2022)

Jury member, ESA/CNES ActInSpace Hackathon, Argentine node (2020)

Expert participant in a Concurrent Design Facility demonstration, IAA Conference, Salta (2026)

Mentor and jury member, Innovatón: Space AI (2026)

Science communication and outreach activities

Talks, workshops and demonstrations on solar energy, space technology and photovoltaic materials at Tecnópolis, Buenos Aires International Book Fair, CNEA open days, university and secondary-school programs, national science weeks and the 2024 IAA Latin American Small Satellites Conference.

Professional contact