Irish companies secure record €24m in European Space Agency contracts
Irish companies securing a highest-ever €24 million in European Space Agency (ESA) contracts in 2024, according to the new Space Activities in Ireland 2024 report, published today by Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. This compares to €9.9 million in 2023.
The number of Irish companies engaging with ESA continues to grow, totalling 116 companies who have secured ESA contracts since the launch of the National Space Strategy for Enterprise in late 2019.
The report highlights a year of significant progress for Ireland’s space industry – from the launch of Ubotica’s AI-powered CogniSAT-6 satellite and Réaltra’s flight systems on ESA’s Ariane 6 launcher, to ÉireComposites’ advanced materials for satellite communications. This significant progress reflects the ambitions of the National Space Strategy to strengthen Ireland’s position as an innovative contributor to the European space ecosystem.
Ireland is a founding member of the ESA, which is celebrating 50 years in operation. This milestone comes as Europe sets new priorities for investment in space exploration, research and commercial innovation for the decade ahead.
Despite rising global trade uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the space technology market has continued to grow. In 2024, the market was estimated to be worth €436.69 billion and is predicted to increase to €469.61 billion in 2025. This growth is expected to continue at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.45% through to 2034, with the market forecast to reach €896.19billion.
Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Ireland’s space sector is now firmly positioned as a hub of innovation, with companies developing technologies that reach far beyond space – from AI and quantum communications to renewable energy and climate solutions.
“Over the past decade, Ireland has seen extraordinary growth in this sector – from around 30 space-active companies to 116 today – driven by the ingenuity and ambition of Irish innovators and the work of the Irish Delegation to ESA. Enterprise Ireland is proud to support these companies in competing and collaborating on the global stage through our work with ESA and the ESA Business Incubation Centre network.”
This year saw the establishment of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland, operated by IMR and Research Ireland materials centre Amber, which will support Irish companies in developing next-generation materials and hardware for space through targeted research, mentorship and innovation funding.
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