Ireland’s space ambitions reach a milestone as EIRSAT-1 concludes its mission
After two years in low-Earth orbit, Ireland’s first satellite, EIRSAT-1, has completed its mission and de-orbited, burning up in the atmosphere. Developed by University College Dublin (UCD) and supported by the European Space Agency’s Fly Your Satellite programme, this tiny cuboid became a symbol of Ireland’s growing presence in space research, education, and industry.
A mission built on years of determination
Launched in 2023, EIRSAT-1 was the product of almost six years of hard work. The project was funded through a collaboration that included the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the ESA’s Fly Your Satellite initiative. Designed as a low-Earth orbit mission, EIRSAT-1 carried three payloads intended to advance both scientific knowledge and practical space technologies.
Three payloads with a shared goal
The Gamma-Ray Module (GMOD) was tasked with detecting gamma-ray bursts, the Wave Based Control (WBC) module tested and validated a novel satellite pointing system for precision in space, and the ENBIO module offered a materials testing platform to evaluate thermal management coatings under real orbital conditions. Together, these payloads demonstrated Ireland’s capability to integrate research with hands-on hardware development in space.
<h2 A project that leaves a lasting academic and industrial impact
During its tenure, EIRSAT-1 achieved notable scientific results. GMOD detected ten cosmological gamma-ray bursts and two solar flares, while the mission generated a robust output of scholarly work. UCD reports 24 academic papers and conference contributions stemming from the project, reflecting a strong culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration.
<h2 A training ground for Ireland’s space workforce
Beyond its scientific outputs, EIRSAT-1 served as a training ground for the next generation of Irish space professionals. More than 50 students—predominantly postgraduates in physics, mechanical and materials engineering, with some computer science and mathematics—gained space systems experience that has historically been scarce in Ireland. The initiative also supported 13 PhD students through Irish Research Council scholarships.
<h2 Educational and industry advances sparked by EIRSAT-1
UCD expanded its offerings with a new Spacecraft Operations module as part of an MSc in Space Science and Technology. Led by EIRSAT-1 chief operator Dr. David Murphy, the module trained an additional 20 students in operating a satellite in orbit. The project’s success has paved the way for further Irish space initiatives, including the National Space Subsystems and Payloads Initiative (NSSPI), which has attracted significant funding and is designed to accelerate Irish space technology development through model-based design and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
<h2 Looking to the future: GIFTS and ComCubes
Building on the GMOD foundation, GIFTS (Gamma-ray Investigation of the Full Transient Sky) aims to enhance gamma-ray burst detection and coverage, led by UCD’s Prof. Sheila McBreen. This six-unit cubesat mission seeks to improve the localisation of transient gamma-ray events and expand Ireland’s observational capacity. Additionally, ESA has selected UCD-C-Space for ComCubes, a follow-on project that plans a cubesat swarm to deliver faster, more detailed gamma-ray burst information.
<h2 A proud moment for Ireland’s space sector and its collaborators
Prof. Lorraine Hanlon, director of the EIRSAT-1 project and UCD C-Space, noted that the mission’s end does not mark a conclusion for Ireland’s space ambitions but a transition to larger, collaborative ventures. The Irish delegation to ESA, as well as Enterprise Ireland, highlighted the mission as a testament to academia and industry working together and to Ireland’s emergence as a space-faring nation.
<h2 A path forward for Ireland’s space landscape
The end of EIRSAT-1’s mission is, in many ways, a new beginning. The knowledge, partnerships, and funding generated by the project have positioned Ireland to accelerate its space research, education, and commercial capabilities. As universities and industry partners continue to push the boundaries of what Ireland can accomplish in space, future missions—built on EIRSAT-1’s learnings—are likely to accelerate Ireland’s growth as a leading European space player.
