Ireland has been a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) since 1975. Since then, it has developed a thriving space industry and research community.
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European Space Agency (ESA)
Ireland and ESA
Ireland's Space Industry Directory
Our ESA membership enables Irish companies and research institutes to bid on contracts and develop space industry technologies, services, and business applications. To learn more about Irish companies working in space technology developments, view our Space industry directory.
European Space Agency Programmes
Enterprise Ireland coordinates Ireland’s industrial and research participation in European Space Agency programmes.
We are primarily a knowledge resource to help Irish businesses create and carry out space initiatives. At the same time, Enterprise Ireland acts as a hub for the international space industry to find relevant sources of space-related expertise in Ireland.
Irish businesses can develop and adapt technologies for the commercial space industry, transfer knowledge and technology from space to non-space uses and create innovative apps and services that leverage space systems.
Irish industrial capabilities in space technology are highly diverse – including structures, materials, microelectronics, photonics, telecommunications, RF, and life sciences. A rising number of Irish companies also work in the "downstream" industry, making products for related ground segment systems as well as end-user equipment, services, and applications that utilise space-based systems.
As an ESA member
We also help Irish businesses and research teams submit bids for ESA contract development work in a variety of space programmes, including:
ESA mandatory programmes including the ESA General Budget and the Science Programme.
ESA optional programmes in which Ireland participates, including:
Satellite Communications (ARTES)
Space Transportation (Ariane 6, Vega C, FLPP)
Earth Observation (EOEP, InCubed)
General Support Technology Programme (GSTP)
Satellite Navigation (NAVISP)
Scientific Payloads and Experiments (PRODEX)
European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P)
ESA activities in Ireland: Resources
Download this report to learn about the space-related developments in Ireland supported by the European Space Agency in 2021.
Download this report to learn about the space-related developments in Ireland supported by the European Space Agency in 2020.
FAQs
All companies in Ireland are eligible to respond to ESA tender opportunities relating to the ESA programmes in which Ireland participates. This information will be included in the tender documentation
Tender opportunities are published on the ESA Tendering website and are updated daily.
In addition, the ESA announces opportunities for the industry to submit proposals for market-oriented development activities, also available on the ESA Tendering website.
This depends on the scope of the procurement underway but is limited by Ireland’s financial contribution to the specific ESA programme. In line with the National Space Strategy for Enterprise, there is an increasing focus on industry-co-funded market-oriented development activities.
How do I apply?
Potential ESA tenderers need to register on the ESA-STAR website – its registration and management facility for external users.
Specific procurements/announcement of opportunities will be published on ESA's electronic tendering esa-star Publication module.
Certain contracts require prior authorisation from the national ESA Delegation, which can be obtained by contacting Enterprise Ireland.
Contact
Conor Sheehan
Industrial policy matters
Technology Programme (GSTP)
Telecoms Programme (ARTES)
Padraig Doolan
Space Transportation
Scientific Programme
Human Spaceflight & Robotic Exploration
Scientific Payloads & Experiments (PRODEX)
Niall Bolger
Earth Observation
ESA Satellite Navigation Programmes (Galileo, GNSS)
Copernicus Programme