Ireland ‘at cutting edge of space technology’

Irish firms are at the cutting edge of European Space Agency programmes creating technologies capable of performing in the extreme environment of space.

Speaking at Enterprise Ireland’s forum on the benefits of Irish membership of the ESA, which took place at the Blackrock Observatory in Cork yesterday, director of technical and quality management at the ESA Dr Franco Ongaro said: “Irish companies have distinguished themselves, particularly in the fields of electronics, software, materials and propulsion. The areas where Irish companies are active right now are those which are likely to continue to grow.”

Dr Ongaro said he envisioned Irish companies playing a key role in the space agency’s busy schedule ahead — including rolling out the Galileo satellite navigation system, supplying human spaceflight missions and a range of telecommunication and science missions.