Alba Orbital · Jun 2026
Alba Orbital announced a launch agreement for Japan’s first PocketQube mission, developed by the RymanSat Project PocketQube Club.
We make satellites to image everywhere on Earth, every 15 minutes
Company research
Public company, workplace, funding, and market signals
Updated Jul 29, 2026
Overview
Alba Orbital is a Glasgow-based PocketQube satellite manufacturer and launch broker that provides end-to-end smallsat services: spacecraft platforms, Albapod deployers, low-cost launch rideshares, ground-station services, test services, and night-time Earth-imagery offerings.
Primary product
Unicorn-2 PocketQube satellite platform
Founded
2012
Headquarters
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Team size
10-20
Industry
Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
Sub-industry
PocketQube satellite manufacturing, launch brokerage, and Earth observation services
Offices
33 Watt Road, Hillington Industrial Estate, Glasgow, G52 4RY, Scotland, UK (HQ)
1201 N. Orange Street Suite 7160, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
Friedrichstraße 114a, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Business model
satellite/platform manufacturing
launch brokerage and rideshare services
ground-station subscriptions
Earth-imagery / data services
test and integration services
hardware sales
Funding
Stage
seed
Total raised
$3.6M
Latest round
Seed · May 2021
Latest amount
$3.4M
May 2021 · Metaplanet Holdings
Apr 2021 · Y Combinator
Dec 2020 · EUREKA GlobalStars-Singapore / Innovate UK / Enterprise Singapore
Nov 2020 · Scottish Enterprise
People & investors
Work & culture
Mission-driven, fast-paced, and highly hands-on; the company emphasizes rapid iteration, responsibility, and turning satellites around quickly.
Compensation
No public salary bands or compensation ranges were found. Public signals are typical startup-style recruiting and internships rather than disclosed pay data.
Benefits
annual summer internship program
free beer at social events
fun and lively office environment
opportunity to attend rocket launches
speculative applications accepted
Product & market
Pricing
Transparent, mission-based and platform-based pricing; Alba Launch starts around €25K for a 1P PocketQube, while Unicorn-2 pricing varies by mission and Alba Connect uses monthly subscription pricing.
Differentiators
- —PocketQube specialization
- —flight-proven Albapod deployers
- —end-to-end stack from manufacturing to launch and ground operations
- —very low launch entry price
- —Unicorn-2 flight heritage and ESA partnership
- —rapid turnaround / short lead times
- —UHF/S-band ground segment via Alba Connect
- —vertically integrated smallsat production and test capability
Technology
Python
Django
Vue.js
Linux
C
AMP
Customers
European Space Agency (ESA)
TU Delft
Stanford University
Stara Space
ACME AtronOmatic / MyRadar
Budapest University of Technology & Economics (BME)
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Luxembourg (SnT)
AGH University
DSST Public Schools
Chesterton Academy of St. James
UpKoi
RymanSat Project PocketQube Club
Hello Space
Innova Space
Scale & contact
Estimated revenue
$1M-$10M
Estimated monthly visits
12K
Traffic estimate as of Jun 2026
Latest news
Alba Orbital · Mar 2026
The company said five PocketQubes were deployed to low Earth orbit, including Vietnam’s first PocketQube.
Alba Orbital · Jan 2026
A student satellite program that combines PocketQube development with industry mentorship and hands-on mission experience.
Alba Orbital · Nov 2025
Alba Orbital said the mission will test experimental quantum hardware, custom control electronics, and on-orbit reinforcement learning.
Alba Orbital · Jul 2025
A partnership with TU Delft to launch two 3P PocketQubes for formation flying and advanced space-traffic-management demonstrations.
Jobs and careers at Alba Orbital
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