Alba Orbital

Alba Orbital is a pioneering aerospace company, established in 2012 and headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, that has positioned itself as the world's leading manufacturer and launch broker for PocketQube satellites. The company democratizes access to space by offering cost-effective, turnkey solutions including pico-satellite platforms, launch services, and ground station operations. Alba Orbital's strategic partnerships with launch providers like Rocket Lab ^[2][4] and SpaceX ^[1], coupled with its innovative Unicorn-2 platform, underscore its role in enabling scientific research and commercial Earth observation missions for a diverse international clientele.

Alba Orbital represents a valuable and validated customer for Rocket Lab, showcasing the utility of the Electron launch vehicle for rideshare missions into Sun-Synchronous Orbit and Low Earth Orbit. Their two successful launches on Electron, 'Running Out Of Fingers' (2019) and 'There and Back Again' (2022), contribute directly to Rocket Lab's launch services revenue and validate its capability to deploy small satellite constellations like PocketQubes ^[2][4]. The missions support Alba Orbital's development of nighttime imaging and radio technologies, aligning with RKLB's strategy of serving diverse commercial and scientific payloads. Given Alba Orbital's increasing launch cadence, including flights with SpaceX ^[1], they are a strong candidate for repeat business, potentially utilizing Electron for specific mission needs or smaller payloads when dedicated launches are not cost-effective. This customer relationship validates Rocket Lab's market position as a flexible and reliable launch provider for the burgeoning pico-satellite sector, demonstrating end-to-end space capabilities.