Irish companies secure record €24 million in European Space Agency (ESA) contracts as Ireland marks 50 years of ESA membership

Minister Dillon to lead Irish delegation at ESA Council of Ministers in Bremen this week

Ireland’s space sector built further momentum last year, with Irish companies securing a highest-ever €24 million in European Space Agency (ESA) contracts in 2024, according to the new Space Activities in Ireland 2024 report, published today by Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. This compares to €9.9 million in 2023.

The number of Irish companies engaging with ESA continues to grow, totalling 116 companies who have secured ESA contracts since the launch of the National Space Strategy for Enterprise in late 2019.

The report highlights a year of significant progress for Ireland’s space industry — from the launch of Ubotica’s AI-powered CogniSAT-6 satellite and Réaltra’s flight systems on ESA’s Ariane 6 launcher, to ÉireComposites’ advanced materials for satellite communications. This significant progress reflects the ambitions of the National Space Strategy to strengthen Ireland’s position as an innovative contributor to the European space ecosystem. 

The publication coincides with the ESA Council of Ministers (CM25) taking place this week in Bremen, Germany, where the Irish Delegation — led by Minister Alan Dillon TD, who is responsible for Space Enterprise Policy — is participating alongside 22 other ESA Member States.

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the European Space Agency, and of Ireland’s role as a founding member in 1975. This milestone comes as Europe sets new priorities for investment in space exploration, research and commercial innovation for the decade ahead.

Despite rising global trade uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the space technology market has continued to grow. In 2024, the market was estimated to be worth €436.69 billion and is predicted to increase to €469.61 billion in 2025. This growth is expected to continue at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.45% through to 2034, with the market forecast to reach €896.19billion. 

Minister of State for Employment, Small Businesses and Retail, Alan Dillon, said: “The achievements of Irish companies in the European Space Agency over the past year demonstrates the extraordinary capability and ambition that exists across our space sector. 2024 was the most successful financial year yet for Irish space enterprises, with €24 million in ESA contracts secured. This underlines the return on Ireland’s investment in ESA and the value of international collaboration in driving innovation and sustainable growth.

“As we mark 50 years of Ireland’s partnership with ESA, we are not only celebrating the past but looking forward to a future where Irish innovation continues to play a central role in Europe’s journey.”

Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Ireland’s space sector is now firmly positioned as a hub of innovation, with companies developing technologies that reach far beyond space – from AI and quantum communications to renewable energy and climate solutions.

Over the past decade, Ireland has seen extraordinary growth in this sector — from around 30 space-active companies to 116 today — driven by the ingenuity and ambition of Irish innovators and the work of the Irish Delegation to ESA. Enterprise Ireland is proud to support these companies in competing and collaborating on the global stage through our work with ESA and the ESA Business Incubation Centre network.”

The Space Activities in Ireland 2024 report also highlights the increasing intersection between space and sustainability, with Irish-developed solutions supporting Earth Observation, biodiversity monitoring, renewable energy, and climate adaptation. It further showcases the growth of Ireland’s space start-up ecosystem, supported through ESA BIC Ireland and the Irish Space Association.

This year also marks Ireland’s first national presence at Space Tech Expo Europe 2025 in Bremen,Germany, last week (18-20 November), with six clients exhibiting on a shared Enterprise Ireland stand and three exhibiting independently. The event, which attracts over 8,000 professionals and 700 exhibitors annually, provides a valuable platform for Irish firms to showcase their technologies, build partnerships and explore new opportunities in the global space supply chain.

2025 marked the establishment of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland, operated by IMR and AMBER, which will support Irish companies in developing next-generation materials and hardware for space through targeted research, mentorship and innovation funding.

The Space Activities in Ireland 2024 report is available at: ESA Report

Ends

Media enquiries:

Deirdre Geraghty – National Delegate to ESA + EI Press Office

E: Deirdre.geraghty@enterprise-ireland.com  

Tel: +353 86 603 1969

Webstream and Videos

Part of the Council Ministerial Council will be web-streamed on ESA web TV at ESA Web TV
 

Webstreamed sequences:

Ministerial Council 2025 1st sessions 

• Wednesday 26 November, 12:30-16:30 (GMT)

Press conference by the Hosting Minister, CM25 Chair, ESA Director General 

• Thursday 27 November, 12:00-13:00 (GMT)

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.

For the 2025 ESA Council of Ministers (CM25), Ireland’s Delegation comprises senior officials from the Department, technical and programme leads, and Enterprise Ireland representatives who support industry engagement and commercialisation opportunities. The Delegation is led by Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon T.D., who holds responsibility for Space Enterprise Policy.

Further Information: 

• The Council is the European Space Agency’s main governing body and provides the basic policy guidelines and decisions within which ESA develops the European space programme. It convenes quarterly and additionally as needed, and is attended by delegations from all ESA Member States, associated and cooperating states, and observers from different European organisations.
• Every three years, the Council meets at Ministerial level – referred to as “CM” – when Ministers responsible for space in the Member States lead their respective delegations. Key decisions on new and continuing programmes and financial commitments are made, setting the scope for the years ahead.
• The ESA Council 2025 at Ministerial level (“CM25”) is hosted by Germany and will take place in Bremen on 26 and 27 November. It is organised by ESA together with the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space, the German Space Agency at DLR and the City of Bremen.

Website

The European Space Agency (ESA) publishes a website (www.esa.int/cm25) especially devoted to the Ministerial Council 2025 presenting its strategy approaching challenges and opportunities up to 2040. Strategy 2040 is framed around five encompassing goals, each of which has specific objectives assigned. The Five Goals demonstrate the important role space can play in every aspect of citizens’ lives across Europe.

• Protect our Planet and Climate
• Explore and Discover
• Strengthen European Autonomy and Resilience
• Boost Growth and Competitiveness
• Inspire Europe

In addition, ESA makes available explanatory sheets related to:

• Exploration
• Climate / Climate protection
• Resilience / Strategic autonomy

All these documents are available and can be downloaded at www.esa.int/cm25