Member Spotlight – Priyanka Goradia

Meet Priyanka Goradia, a passionate fifth-year Computer Engineering student at the University of Alberta. Originally from India, Priyanka has been in Edmonton since 2022, and since joining AlbertaSat that year, she has immersed herself in the world of satellite technology. Combining her love for engineering with her fascination for space, Priyanka’s journey began with the SpiderSat project. Now, she’s focused on developing the flight software for Ex-Alta 3, a crucial project for mission success. Currently, she’s working with the software team and on the Iris software.

One of her proudest moments was presenting the progress of the Ex-Alta 3 flight software at the 2024 ISSEST Space Exploration Symposium. She emphasized the importance of the software, describing it as “the brain of the satellite” and underlining its significance in guiding the satellite’s mission.

Teamwork is at the heart of AlbertaSat, and Priyanka values the collaborative environment. Weekly meetings and dedicated work sessions ensure everyone stays connected and on track. She puts it simply: “It’s all about teamwork,” highlighting the supportive culture that drives the team forward. She also offers advice for those interested in joining AlbertaSat: “Stick with it, even if it seems difficult. You don’t need prior knowledge—just a passion for learning.”

Outside of her contributions to AlbertaSat, Priyanka enjoys watching documentaries with her dad and indulges her love for baking by making bread and cakes. After a full day, she often unwinds by playing badminton with friends. Looking ahead, Priyanka is currently applying for jobs and hopes to continue her career in software development, especially in the space sector. “I’d love to work on space-related projects again,” she shares, excited about the future.

Priyanka truly embodies the spirit of curiosity and hard work that defines AlbertaSat, and we’re excited to see where her journey takes her next!