Albertasat

What Albertasat does

AlbertaSat is a student-led space engineering organization at the University of Alberta in Edmonton that designs, builds, tests, and operates CubeSat satellites as part of Canada's small-satellite ecosystem. It runs approximately 120 student volunteers organized into mechanical, systems, software, ADCS, communications, power, and administrative teams under rotating student project managers and faculty advisors. The team's primary outputs are the Ex-Alta series of 3U CubeSats — Ex-Alta 1 (launched 2017, operated for 18 months in orbit), Ex-Alta 2 (launched March 14, 2023 aboard SpaceX CRS-27), and Ex-Alta 3 (in development since June 2023 with an anticipated 2026 launch) — with science objectives focused on wildfire multispectral imaging, climate change impact monitoring on Canadian ice and snow coverage, and space weather studies. AlbertaSat also develops a library of open-source CubeSat components (Athena onboard computer, Arke UHF antenna, Hermes S-Band patch antenna, Icarus 3U structure, Iris VNIR imager, plus the in-development Prometheus battery board and Apollo UHF transceiver) published on GitHub.

The organization is non-commercial. It is funded primarily through Canadian Space Agency grants under the Canadian CubeSat Project, supplemented by University of Alberta institutional support (facilities, labs, cleanroom, faculty advisors), corporate sponsorship from MDA Space, Wyvern, Nanoracks, Altium, and Ansys, and a 2021 crowdfunding campaign that raised $24,470 against a $25,000 goal for Ex-Alta 2 components. There is no product pricing or commercial revenue stream; pricing details are explicitly listed as not publicly disclosed because all educational outreach is free. Go-to-market is event-driven: volunteer recruitment through university presentations, Week of Welcome, classroom visits, and public festivals such as Jasper Dark Sky Festival and Beakerhead. The primary "customers" are CSA-funded research missions, K-12 outreach audiences (over 6,800 students reached across Northern Canada since 2014), and the University of Alberta student talent pipeline.

AlbertaSat participates in the Northern SPIRIT multi-satellite consortium with Yukon University (YukonSat) and Aurora College (AuroraSat) under CSA oversight, and contributes to international initiatives including the CUBICS multi-university mission concept (with Universities of Victoria, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba), the BIRDS-X international payload mission, and the Canadian Reduced Gravity Experiment Design Challenge (CAN-RGX) with CSA and the National Research Council of Canada. Alumni have been hired into Canada's broader space industry at MDA Space, Wyvern, and (via MDA) into NASA Canadarm2/Dextre operations support, positioning AlbertaSat as a talent incubation node for the Canadian aerospace sector rather than a commercial business. The entity has no separate legal incorporation, no parent company, no patents or trademarks, and no disclosed external ownership structure.

Name

Albertasat

Legal name

AlbertaSat

Website

https://www.albertasat.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AlbertaSat is a University of Alberta student-led organization in Edmonton that designs, builds, and operates CubeSat satellites for Canadian Space Agency-funded research missions, while training aerospace talent and running STEM outreach across Northern Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Satellite (CubeSat) Engineering and Mission Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)

Keywords

• CubeSat satellite development
• Small satellite engineering
• Earth observation imaging
• Open-source spacecraft components
• STEM space education

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Primary funding from Canadian Space Agency through programs like the Canadian CubeSat Project. Grant-dependent mission execution with significant budget managed by student volunteers.
2. Crowdfunding Campaign: Community crowdfunding campaign raised $24,470 toward Ex-Alta 2 components including cube satellite structure, space-grade solar cells, and basic materials like M2 screws and solder wire. Campaign goal was $25,000.
3. Institutional Support: Support from University of Alberta including facilities, faculty advisors, and administrative infrastructure. Additional backing from corporate sponsors and partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AlbertaSat is a student-led organization at the University of Alberta that designs, builds, tests, and operates CubeSat small satellites. It executes end-to-end spacecraft missions (Ex-Alta 1, 2, and 3) while developing an open-source CubeSat component library (Athena, Arke, Hermes, Icarus, Iris, Prometheus, Apollo). It also delivers free K-12 STEM educational outreach programs across Northern Canada.

Product overview

Albertasat is a student-led organization at the University of Alberta that designs, builds, tests, and operates CubeSat satellites. Their portfolio includes three Ex-Alta missions (Ex-Alta 1, 2, and 3) with Ex-Alta 2 successfully launched in 2023 and Ex-Alta 3 in development for 2026 launch. They develop open-source CubeSat components including the Athena onboard computer, Arke UHF antenna, Hermes S-Band antenna, Icarus structure, and Iris VNIR imager. Additional open-source components in development include the Prometheus battery board and Apollo UHF transceiver. Their missions support climate change research through monitoring Canadian ice/snow coverage and wildfire impacts. AlbertaSat also conducts balloon missions (DEBORA), reduced gravity experiments (SpiderSat, CMD-SAT), and participates in international initiatives like BIRDS-X and CUBICS.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ex-Alta 1 AlbertaSat's first CubeSat satellite and the first ever made in Alberta province. It orbited Earth for 18 months, transmitting beacons to amateur radio operators worldwide and collecting data for space weather studies.
• Ex-Alta 2 The second CubeSat developed by AlbertaSat, launched March 14, 2023 aboard SpaceX CRS-27. Part of the Northern SPIRIT mission with a multispectral imaging payload designed to image the impacts of wildfires.
• Ex-Alta 3 AlbertaSat's current spacecraft development mission (begun June 2023) with an anticipated 2026 launch. Mission: monitor climate change impacts on Canadian ice and snow coverage and further wildfire imaging objectives.
• Athena Onboard Computer An open-source onboard computer for CubeSats developed by AlbertaSat, featuring the TMS570LS1224 Hercules Microcontroller for processing and data handling in satellite operations.
• Arke UHF Antenna and Phasing Board An open-source UHF antenna and phasing board designed by AlbertaSat for CubeSat communications.
• Hermes S-Band Patch Antenna An open-source S-band patch antenna design for high-speed data transmission from CubeSats to ground stations.
• Icarus 3U CubeSat Structure An open-source 3U CubeSat mechanical structure that holds all satellite components together. Named after the Greek god who flew too close to the sun.
• Iris VNIR Imager A visible and near-infrared (VNIR) multispectral imaging payload for Earth observation. Used for wildfire monitoring and climate change research on Canadian ice and snow coverage.
• Prometheus Battery Board

Quantifiable outcome

• 6800+ children reached through educational outreach
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• WISEST (Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2022Collaborated for Jasper Dark Sky Festival to deliver classroom sessions on space and satellite technology to students.
• Canadian Space Agency (CSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner providing funding through Canadian CubeSat Project. CSA oversees mission requirements, reviews (CDR, PDR, TRR), and provides launch opportunities via Nanoracks deployer on ISS.
• University of AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution providing facilities, labs, cleanroom, faculty advisors, and administrative infrastructure. Home to all AlbertaSat operations and student team.
• WyverncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdmonton-based space company founded by former AlbertaSat members, focusing on Earth observation imagery from satellite platforms. Provides co-op opportunities for team members.
• Northern Spirit ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Yukon University (formerly Yukon College) and Aurora Research Institute/College to develop and launch YukonSat and AuroraSat alongside Ex-Alta 2 as part of Northern SPIRIT mission.
• NanorackscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommercial partner operating the CubeSat Deployer on ISS. Responsible for satellite licensing, compliance requirements, and actual deployment into space.
• Yukon UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution in Northern SPIRIT consortium developing YukonSat. AlbertaSat supports testing and integration of YukonSat payload at University of Alberta facilities.
• Aurora CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution developing AuroraSat as part of Northern SPIRIT initiative. Collaboration includes manufacturing support and cost-sharing for payloads.
• MDA SpacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanada-based space and technology company. AlbertaSat alumni have been hired by MDA, and the company appears as a supporter on the organization's website.
• NASAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlbertaSat alumni working at MDA collaborate with NASA on ISS Canadarm2 and Dextre maintenance operations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory (SFL): Canadian university-affiliated small satellite developer at the University of Toronto that has built and flown numerous small satellites including CubeSats. Most directly comparable Canadian organization in terms of university-rooted spacecraft development and CSA partnerships.
• University of Saskatchewan — USat: Canadian university CubeSat team and CUBICS mission partner alongside AlbertaSat. Competes for the same CSA funding cohort and shares the Canadian university CubeSat ecosystem.
• University of Victoria — UVic Satellite Design Team: Canadian university CubeSat team participating in the CUBICS mission concept with CSA. Directly comparable peer for student-led small-satellite mission development and educational outreach.
• University of Manitoba — CUBICS Team: CUBICS consortium partner with CSA. Comparable Canadian university CubeSat team competing for the same institutional funding and launch opportunities.

Emerging players

• Wyvern: Edmonton-based Earth observation company founded by former AlbertaSat alumni. Operates its own satellite platform while drawing on the same talent pipeline AlbertaSat develops, making it a close downstream peer and partner.
• SEDS-Canada (Students for the Exploration and Development of Space): Canadian student space organization network. Comparable to AlbertaSat's educational outreach and student-led space mission profile, though with a broader advocacy and community focus rather than a single satellite program.
• Skywatch Space: Canadian Earth observation and satellite data company. Comparable through the Earth observation and space-tech theme, though commercially oriented rather than student-led.

Broad incumbents

• AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation): Long-standing amateur radio satellite organization. Comparable to AlbertaSat in launching beacon-transmitting satellites (Ex-Alta 1 transmitted to amateur radio operators globally) and in cultivating volunteer-led, non-commercial satellite operations.
• MDA Space: Canada's largest space company and an AlbertaSat supporter/hiring partner. Overlaps with AlbertaSat's CubeSat mission domain and primary customer (CSA), but operates at vastly larger commercial scale and across a much broader portfolio.
• Canadian Space Agency (CSA): Primary funder and mission partner of AlbertaSat through the Canadian CubeSat Project. Sets mission requirements, conducts reviews, and provides launch access — the central institutional counterparty to AlbertaSat's operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/albertasat
• GitHubgithub.com/AlbertaSat
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlbertaSat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/albertasat
• Instagraminstagram.com/alberta_sat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Albertasat