While at the University of Alberta, Dr. Miles was the instrument PI and student mentor for the Ex-Alta 1 CubeSat,  which carried a miniature scientific caliber fluxgate magnetometer and a ~60 cm deployable boom. The design is smaller and lighter than the existing state of the art and is easily accommodated as it mounts on the outside of the spacecraft.

Ex-Alta 1 was successfully deployed into space from the International Space Station on May 26, 2017, with its work ending on November 14, 2018. Ex-Alta 1 represented a first step for many of the participants, and allowed the University of Alberta and the rest of the province to demonstrate the ability to undertake such a project.