More than 100 Irish companies received European Space Agency support in 2023
By the end of 2023, 109 Irish companies were actively engaged with the European Space Agency (ESA), demonstrating the significant expansion of Ireland’s role in the space economy according to the latest Enterprise Ireland Space Activities in Ireland report.
In 2023, ESA awarded contracts worth €9.9 million to Irish companies primarily focused on industrial activities. Industrial co-funding of €2.2 million further supported these enterprises. Throughout the year, 25 companies, including three newly space-active businesses, were supported in developing products and technologies across sectors including telecommunications, earth observation, and space exploration.
A key highlight of the year was the successful launch of the Educational Irish Research Satellite 1 (EIRSAT-1), Ireland’s first satellite, on 1 December 2023, marking a significant milestone. EIRSAT-1 is a student-led project from University College Dublin (UCD) and was developed in collaboration with Irish technology companies.
Commenting on the report, Emer Higgins, Minister of State for Business, Employment & Retail, said: “2023 was a momentous year for the Irish space sector. The increasing number of Irish companies working with ESA, alongside the launch of Eirsat-1, highlights Ireland’s strong position in this fast-growing sector.
“As Ireland’s space community continues to innovate and collaborate with European and global partners, the future of the country’s space sector looks brighter than ever. The Irish Government is committed to continuing its support for innovation and enterprise in the space sector as we look to build on these successes and further strengthen Ireland’s role in the global space economy.”
Marina Donohoe, head of research & innovation at Enterprise Ireland, added: “The strong growth in Irish companies engaging with ESA, now reaching 109, is a clear indicator of Ireland’s expanding footprint in the global space economy. This year’s report demonstrates the progress and impact Irish companies are making through collaboration with ESA, not only in advancing space technology but also in driving innovation in sectors with downstream applications. Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting these companies and the growing number of research teams actively involved in space-related developments supported by ESA.”
The space economy is forecast to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035 with expansion, driven by both public and private sector investments.
In a demonstration of Ireland’s position at the front rank of space technology development, ESA’s new rocket the Ariane 6, which launched in July this year, used two technology systems designed and built by Irish space engineering company Réaltra. Enterprise Ireland’s ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) Ireland also had a successful year, welcoming seven new start-ups. These companies are focused on developing both upstream and downstream applications, further bolstering Ireland’s contribution to the burgeoning space sector.
Another key development for the sector in 2023 was the establishment of the Irish Space Association (ISA) to foster collaboration among space-active companies and research organisations in Ireland.
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