Ó An Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta; Fiontraíocht Éireann
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Last year saw record growth in the number of Enterprise Ireland companies engaging with the European Space Agency (ESA), with 13 companies securing first-time contracts. Overall, ESA placed contracts with a combined value of €11.5 million with 28 Irish companies in 2020. A further €1.5 million in ESA contracts was placed with 10 Irish universities and research institutes involved in a range of strategic research activities. In 2020, Irish companies became increasingly active in developing space-based solutions to address a range of global challenges, in particular the response to the COVID-19 crisis and climate change.
In response to the ESA announcement of Opportunity ‘Space in response to COVID-19 outbreak’ three Irish companies secured lead roles in developing solutions based on the use of satellite systems:
Other projects supported by the European Space Agency, in which Irish companies and researchers were involved ranged from ESA science missions, space transportation, human spaceflight and Earth observation.
These include:
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, said:
"Irish industry is successfully developing an increasing presence in the international space sector. Ireland’s membership of the ESA is at the root of this and is very much a springboard for innovation and development of advanced technologies. Significant new opportunities are emerging for enterprise to use satellite-derived data to develop high-value services which can support policy-making decisions, enterprise development and address global challenges, namely climate change and the COVID-19 emergency."
Tom Kelly, Divisional Manager, Enterprise Ireland, said:
"In recent years, the scope of Irish involvement in space-related activities has increased substantially, with over 80 Irish companies and a growing number of research teams actively involved in space-related developments supported by ESA, and by Enterprise Ireland. It is very inspiring to see client companies at the forefront of this research and innovation. In particular, it is encouraging to see Irish companies use their technologies to assist in the fight against COVID-19."
Ireland has been a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) since 1975. In that time, it has participated in a number of high-profile ESA missions supported by technologies developed by Irish industry and research communities.