Irish companies secure record €25.3 million in European Space Agency (ESA) contracts in 2025

Record year for Irish space sector as Ireland's €170 million ESA investment drives growth

Irish companies secured a record €25.3 million in European Space Agency (ESA) contracts in 2025, according to the new Space Activities in Ireland 2025 report, published today by Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. This total represents an increase on the previous-highest tally of €24 million in 2024, while a further €1.3 million in ESA contracts was placed with Irish research performing organisations.

The number of Irish companies engaging with ESA also continued to grow, reaching 126 by the end of 2025, including 15 new space-active entities.

The results were accompanied by the announcement that Ireland committed more than €170 million to ESA programmes through to 2030, underpinning the next phase of growth for Irish industry, as ESA marked its 50th anniversary.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said: "The record level of contracts secured by Irish companies in 2025 is a strong endorsement of Ireland's growing space sector and the talent, innovation and expertise that underpin it. The sector is making an increasingly important contribution to our economy, supporting high-value employment and the development of technologies with applications across multiple industries. This success reflects the capability of Irish enterprise and the important role the space sector can play in supporting future economic growth and competitiveness."

Minister of State for Employment, Small Businesses and Retail, Alan Dillon, who holds responsibility for Space Enterprise Policy, said: "2025 was a year of significant achievement for Ireland's space sector, with 126 Irish companies participating in European Space Agency (ESA) programmes, a record €26.7 million secured in ESA contracts, and the establishment of Ireland's first ESA Φ-Lab. Building on this success, Ireland has increased its investment in ESA by a further €40 million, bringing our total commitment to over €170 million through to 2030 and creating new opportunities for Irish enterprise to innovate, scale and compete internationally."

"This increased investment reflects our confidence in the capability and ambition of Irish enterprise. By strengthening our engagement with the ESA, we are helping Irish companies access new markets, develop innovative technologies and seize the opportunities emerging from the global space economy."

Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: "2025 was a milestone year for Ireland's space sector – a year in which Irish companies moved decisively from development into commercial delivery. MBRYONICS opened its Photon-1 volume manufacturing facility in Galway and was selected for the strategic European partnership delivering ESA's HydRON programme. Companies like Ubotica, Réaltra, Lios and Proveye continued to demonstrate the depth of Irish capability, from onboard satellite intelligence to launcher telemetry and precision agriculture. Enterprise Ireland is proud to support these companies as they compete and collaborate on the global stage, through the work of our colleagues on the Irish Delegation to ESA, who ensure Irish priorities and enterprise opportunities are reflected in ESA's decisions and investments."

The report highlights strong progress across Irish industry:

• Galway-based MBRYONICS, a leader in photonic technology and satellite optical communications, had a standout year. The company opened its new Photon-1 volume manufacturing facility, creating 125 new jobs over two years in deep tech engineering and advanced manufacturing, and was selected as part of the strategic European partnership delivering Element #2 of ESA's HydRON programme – the world's first entirely optical multi-orbit transport network.
• Réaltra Space Systems Engineering delivered the payload interface unit for ESA's PLATO mission – the first Class A deep space instrument produced by an Irish company in 30 years – and supplied camera systems for Ariane 6's fourth commercial flight of the year.
• Proveye partnered with MILJO and Munster-based Howard Farms to bring its AI-driven, satellite-based precision fertiliser technology to over 1,000 dairy and beef farmers, cutting costs and emissions while boosting productivity.
• Lios secured €6.25 million in funding from the European Innovation Council Accelerator to scale its advanced acoustic material, SoundBounce, with co-founder Rhona Togher also awarded the EIC Women Innovators Prize.
• Celtonn was awarded an ESA ARTES contract to develop a 130 GHz amplifier for next-generation 6G-capable satellite systems, and was selected for the CASSINI Business Accelerator.
• Ubotica Technologies demonstrated the world's first in-orbit use of Dynamic Targeting, enabling satellites to autonomously detect and respond to changing conditions on Earth.
• Provizio completed a world-first automotive radar algorithm that keeps vehicle safety systems running even when satellite positioning is blocked, such as in tunnels or built-up cities – a world first

The Space Activities in Ireland 2025 report is available at: Space Activities in Ireland 2025

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About the Irish Delegation to the European Space Agency (ESA)

The Irish Delegation to ESA sits jointly within the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Enterprise Ireland, reflecting Ireland's dual policy and enterprise role within the Agency. The Delegation represents Ireland's strategic, policy and industrial interests across all ESA programmes, ensuring that national priorities, research capabilities and enterprise opportunities are reflected in ESA decisions and investments.