ESA fosters space-based prosperity in Ireland
ESA is enabling a record number of space companies in Ireland to develop innovative products and services, create jobs, and tackle emerging global challenges, according to an Irish government report.
Last year saw 28 companies receive agency backing – 13 of which secured their first ESA contract – with a combined value of €11.5 million. A further €1.5 million was awarded to support research at Irish institutes and universities.
The 2020 summary of ESA activities in Ireland was published by Enterprise Ireland, the government agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets.
It detailed how the rapidly expanding Irish space industry is becoming increasingly involved in tackling issues of global importance, with a focus on climate change and COVID-19.
Following an ESA call for ideas last year, several Irish companies were selected to create technologies to combat the pandemic.
These include Cork-based firm PMD Solutions which devised a wearable 5G-enabled device to monitor the health of coronavirus patients remotely, and Dublin-based company Skytek which led the development of a virtual command centre designed to help coordinate emergency responses.
Other ESA-supported activities are helping to develop technologies for human spaceflight, space transportation, planetary defence, and ESA science missions, as well as applications based on Earth observation data.
As part of one of these projects, Irish geoscience company Icon Group is leading the development of technology that helps to prevent human-induced damage to the natural world.
The online tool uses space data to monitor the environmental impact of human activities in the catchment area of the Danube, Europe’s second longest river. It will be used by policymakers to devise greener, more sustainable practices.
Damien English, Irish Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, said: “Irish industry is successfully developing an increasing presence in the international space sector. Ireland’s membership of 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 enterprises to use satellite-derived data to develop high-value services which can support policymaking decisions, enterprise development and address global challenges, namely climate change and the COVID-19 emergency.”
A comprehensive outline of all Irish projects supported by ESA can be seen in Enterprise Ireland’s 2020 summary report.
Tom Kelly, Divisional Manager at 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.”
Elodie Viau, ESA’s Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, said: “ESA works with its member states to enable sustainable commercial innovation, create jobs, and foster prosperity – and we are proud to see these efforts promote unprecedented space-based growth in Ireland. As demonstrated by the wide variety of ESA-backed Irish projects, the expertise of the country’s space companies is contributing strongly to wider European efforts to tackle global issues that affect us all.”