Small Business Column: Ireland's Space Industry

As an Irish-led space mission is due to come to fruition in 2016, Kehlan Kirwan this week looks at Ireland and how we are steadily creating a reputation in the space industry.    

In February 1990 the Voyager space probe was hurtling out of our solar system. It had wound its way around our tiny part of the galaxy, sling-shotting from one place to another. It had taken some of the most iconic photos of our neighbouring planets and helped to change perceptions of our surrounds. It had, however, one last picture to take.

Scientists turned the camera around and pointed it toward earth one last time. It turned toward home and there we were. Through the vastness of space and the light of the sun you could see us. A little speck of a blue dot, less than the size of a pixel in the photo. It was awe-inspiring and terrifying all at the same time.