Interstellar Communication Holdings Inc. has signed a rideshare agreement with Alba Orbital, a global leader in PocketQube launch services, to launch its first icMercury PocketQube satellite via SpaceX in Q1 2025.
PocketQubes represent a revolutionary advancement in satellite technology, offering a compact and cost-effective solution for space research and exploration. Despite their small size of 5 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm per unit (‘P’), PocketQubes retain impressive capabilities, making them ideal for a wide range of scientific, commercial, and educational applications. By leveraging these compact satellites, organizations can access space more affordably and efficiently than ever before.
The 1.5P PocketQube satellite is scheduled to launch with Alba Orbital aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle in Q1 2025. This announcement marks a significant milestone for Interstellar Communication as it prepares to demonstrate icMercury service from space for the first time. With this mission, icMercury will showcase what users can access through the icMercury App via personal satellite service in the future.
“The Alba Orbital team is excited to welcome icMercury as our new rideshare customer,” said Tom Walkinshaw, Founder and CEO of Alba Orbital. “This collaboration is a great example of how we’re enabling more innovative projects to reach orbit and creating new opportunities for exploration and discovery.”
“In partnership with Alba Orbital, icMercury’s upcoming satellite launch via SpaceX represents a pivotal step toward making space more accessible and eco-friendly,” said Lijie Zhu, Chair of Interstellar Communication Holdings. “As your personal messenger to space, icMercury connects people to the wonders of the cosmos.”