University of Luxembourg SnT signs Rideshare Agreement with Alba Orbital to deploy a Pico-satellite in Late 2024
luxembourg’s 1st pocketqube to launch in 2024 via spacex and serves an in-orbit demonstration of inter & intra satellite links between pico & femto satellite platforms.
Render of the University of Luxembourg SnT’s PocketQube satellite bus known as ‘POQUITO’.
Glasgow, UK - 1st November 2023 - Alba Orbital, the leading provider of PocketQube rideshare services, today announced that the University of Luxembourg's Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability, and Trust (SnT) has signed a Launch Services Agreement (LSA) to deploy a 1P PocketQube satellite in-orbit on an upcoming Alba Launch via SpaceX next year.
The University of Luxembourg SnT has long been at the forefront of research and innovation, and this recent agreement with Alba Orbital marks another remarkable milestone in their pursuit of cutting-edge space technology. The PocketQube format, known for its compact size and cost-effectiveness, perfectly aligns with SnT's dedication to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and education.
‘PocketQube for In Orbit Technology Operations’, otherwise known as ‘POQUITO’, is the first PocketQube mission developed in the Interdisciplinary Center of Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) at the University of Luxembourg. POQUITO is a tiny 5×5×5 cm satellite that will host an even smaller 5×5×0.2cm satellite as its primary payload.
Infographic designed by the University of Luxembourg SnT to illustrate satellite weight classifications. PocketQubes (such as POQUITO) fall under the ‘Picosatellite’ category as shown by the the OzQube-1 1P satellite, and ‘ChipSats’ can be categorised as either ‘Femto’ or ‘Atto’ satellites as exemplified by the ‘Stardust’ or ‘Sprite’ spacecrafts.
The POQUITO mission is scheduled for late 2024 on board SpaceX’s Transporter-11 flight, to be deployed in a SSO polar orbit using the AlbaPod PocketQube deployer. This flight will mark Alba Orbital’s 8th orbital launch campaign since 2019, as the company ramps up production to develop their own earth observation constellation, while providing reliable and low-cost rideshare opportunities for their clients on a quarterly basis.
Tom Walkinshaw, Founder and CEO of Alba Orbital, expressed his enthusiasm for the POQUITO mission, stating, "We are delighted to welcome the University of Luxembourg SnT on board this exciting PocketQube launch. This launch agreement exemplifies our commitment to providing reliable and open access to space for a wide range of payloads, while fostering research and exploration in the field of increasingly small satellites."
University of Luxembourg SnT researchers, Konstantinos Kanavouras (left) and Citlali Bruce Rosete (Right), giving their presentation on ‘PocketQubes & Smaller: Ongoing Development Activities at University of Luxembourg’ at the 2022 PocketQube Conference.
Prof. Dr. Björn Ottersten, Director of SnT at the University of Luxembourg, added, "This agreement allows us to realize our vision of pushing the boundaries of technological advancements in space. The launch of our ‘POQUITO’ PocketQube satellite will open new avenues for research and exploration, and we are thrilled to be working with Alba Orbital to make this mission a reality."
Prof. Dr. Andreas Hein, Head of the SpaceSys team which conducts the project concluded,“It isn’t enough to develop innovative technology for space on Earth. Proving academic research in space itself is crucial to progress our field, which is why this agreement represents such an exciting opportunity for us.”
The successful launch and deployment of the University of Luxembourg SnT's PocketQube next year will not only contribute to the growing body of knowledge in space science and engineering, but will also inspire future generations of researchers, engineers, and scientists.
For more information about Alba Orbital and their PocketQube rideshare services, please visit their launch page at http://www.albaorbital.com/launch or get in touch at contact@albaorbital.com. To learn more about the University of Luxembourg SnT, please visit their website at www.uni.lu/snt-en/
ABOUT ALBA ORBITAL
Alba Orbital (UK, USA, Germany) is the world’s leading PocketQube company that has launched over 30 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 three continents, including prestigious clients such as Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University and TU Delft.
Press contact: Caius Reza, Head of Business & Marketing
Email: caius.reza@albaorbital.com
About University of Luxembourg SnT
The University of Luxembourg's Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability, and Trust (SnT) is a leading international research center dedicated to advancing research and technology in information and communication technology (ICT) with a particular emphasis on socio-economic and security aspects. SnT's multidisciplinary approach encourages collaboration between researchers, industry partners, and government agencies to drive technological innovation and address pressing challenges in the digital age.
Press contact: Raphael Cayrol, University of Luxembourg Press Officer
Email: raphael.cayrol@uni.lu