Alba Orbital to launch first PocketQube from Princeton student team, TigerCub

An open-source, low cost, accessible option for students

3rd July 2025 – Glasgow, UK – Alba Orbital, the world’s leading provider of PocketQube satellite launch services, is excited to welcome Princeton Universities Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering as its newest customer. The mission will see the launch of Princeton’s first PocketQube satellite, TigerCub.  

TigerCub is the creation of Princeton student Candace Do, who wrote an award-winning senior thesis on the subject.  

Designed, built and ground-tested by Candace at Princeton’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the 1P PocketQube is a modular, mission-agnostic satellite platform aimed at supporting future student-built space missions. This mission structure will allow for accessibility, simplicity, and long-term educational impact

TigerCub is the creation of Princeton student Candace Do, who wrote an award-winning senior thesis on the subject.  

Designed, built and ground-tested by Candace at Princeton’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the 1P PocketQube is a modular, mission-agnostic satellite platform aimed at supporting future student-built space missions. This mission structure will allow for accessibility, simplicity, and long-term educational impact

TigerCub platform is designed to use the Iridium satellite network for ground communications, using a commercial RockBLOCK 9603N modem. This unique system allows TigerCub to perform downlink tests prior to launch, which is greatly beneficial for student led missions. 

TigerCub highlights include: 

• Payload-agnostic design 

• Iridium-based RockBLOCK 9603N communication system 

• Arduino-based flight computer and low-cost power system 

• Lightweight, sheet-metal structure with open-source documentation 

• Proven power-positive design and successful ground testing 

TigerCub was presented at the 2025 PocketQube conference by Mike Galvin. Watch it here.  

By choosing to launch with Alba Orbital, Princeton University’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering joins a growing number of academic departments worldwide launching student-developed satellites with Alba Orbital. 

Looking to start your journey into orbit? get started here!

About Alba Orbital 
Alba Orbital (UK, USA, Germany) is the world’s leading PocketQube company, having delivered 53 pico-satellites on orbit to date. Alba is a vertically integrated NewSpace company ‘democratising access to space,’ providing turnkey solutions from advanced pico-satellite platforms, low-cost launch opportunities, and ground station services. Alba has worked with over 30 customers across the globe. Contact: contact@albaorbital.com 

About Princeton University – Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 
Princeton University, a world-renowned Ivy League institution, offers rigorous hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate students in space systems, robotics, and aerospace engineering. The TigerCub project reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to fostering technical leadership through innovation and real-world engineering experience.