In the heart of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a small startup named Quub, Inc. is making waves in the field of earth observation through its groundbreaking work with PocketQubes. As we stand at the forefront of the technological revolution, Quub is utilizing small and lightweight satellites to monitor and protect our precious natural resources.
A Constellation of Microsatellites for Earth’s Well-being
Quub’s mission is clear – to build a better world using better data. Their team of dreamers, makers, and doers has embarked on a remarkable journey, constructing a constellation of microsatellites designed to monitor essential elements like water, coastlines, and forests. Imagine a smartwatch for our planet, providing real-time insights and alerts about threats to Earth’s health.
What sets Quub apart is its commitment to innovation. Unlike the bulky and expensive satellites of the past, Quub’s microsatellites are small, lightweight, and crafted from off-the-shelf components. This unique approach allows them to establish a network that updates every 15 minutes, providing a dynamic, “motion-picture” view of our planet’s changing landscape.
The PocketQube Revolution
At the core of Quub’s technology lies the PocketQube standard, a revolutionary concept pioneered by Joe Latrell, the company’s founder. Back in 2013, Latrell saw the potential in Bob Twiggs’ PocketQube standard for building microsatellites and decided, “I could do that!” And indeed, he did.
Beginning with 3D modeling and printing of his PocketQube satellite frames, Latrell faced challenges in finding a sufficiently small yet powerful onboard computer. However, with the breakthrough discovery of the NanPi, Quub paved the way for a new era of satellite design.
The journey was not without setbacks, as exemplified by the world’s smallest functional Earth observation satellite, Discovery, which the FCC refused to license due to its minute size. Undeterred, Quub shifted its focus to slightly larger designs, incorporating as Mini-Cubes, LLC in 2018.
From Mini-Cubes to Quub: A Journey of Growth and Resilience
Quub’s growth has been marked by resilience and innovation. Launching 3U cubesats like “Serenity” on Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket, despite early setbacks, demonstrated the company’s determination. Rebranding to Quub and moving to the Quub Research Center in 2022 marked a significant milestone, showcasing their commitment to iterative design, testing, and operational excellence.
With a team of dedicated professionals and lifelong learners, Quub has secured contracts with government and commercial entities, bringing them closer to their ultimate goal – having a fleet of PocketQube satellites in orbit to track and monitor the effects of climate change on our planet.
Towards a Sustainable Future
As we move forward, Quub invites us to reimagine the possibilities of earth observation. Their commitment to open source projects, creative hands-on research and development, and a nimble approach positions them as leaders in the quest for better data to build a sustainable and resilient world.
Keep an eye on Quub as they prepare for their next launches in early 2024, contributing to a future where the secrets of our planet are unveiled through the lens of innovation and technology.
