Introduction: A milestone for Ireland’s space ambitions
When University College Dublin (UCD) launched EIRSAT‑1 in 2023, Ireland joined a small group of nations that have placed a satellite in low‑Earth orbit (LEO). The mission, funded under the European Space Agency’s Fly Your Satellite programme and supported by Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, quickly became a national milestone. On 3 September, UCD announced that EIRSAT‑1, which stood for Education Research Satellite‑1, had completed its two‑year lifespan and deorbited into Earth’s atmosphere. The news marked the end of a project that many describe as the catalyst for Ireland’s growing space sector.
A closer look at EIRSAT‑1’s mission and payloads
Launched into space in 2023, EIRSAT‑1 carried three payloads designed to advance research and education in space systems. The Gamma‑Ray Module (GMOD) aimed to detect gamma‑ray bursts, while the Wave Based Control (WBC) module tested a novel satellite pointing control system in space. The ENBIO module provided a materials testing platform to evaluate thermal management coatings in LEO for the first time. Over its operational life, GMOD detected ten cosmological gamma‑ray bursts and two solar flares, offering researchers valuable data about high-energy phenomena in the universe.
Beyond its scientific goals, EIRSAT‑1 became a practical training ground. The project enabled more than 50 students—primarily postgraduates in physics, mechanical and materials engineering, with some from computer science and mathematics—to gain hands‑on space systems experience. Thirteen PhD students benefited from Irish Research Council scholarships linked to the mission.
Educational and institutional impact: building a talent pipeline
UCD’s commitment to space education extended beyond the satellite itself. The university introduced a new ‘Spacecraft Operations’ module as part of an MSc in Space Science and Technology, driven by EIRSAT‑1’s lead systems engineer and chief operator, Dr. David Murphy. This course trained an additional 20 students in in‑orbit operations, strengthening Ireland’s capacity to design, operate, and manage small satellites.
From achievement to ongoing momentum: new programmes emerge
The success of EIRSAT‑1 has spurred a wave of new space initiatives at UCD. Notably, the National Space Subsystems and Payloads Initiative (NSSPI) was launched in March 2024 with more than €7.9 million in funding from DETE’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund. NSSPI aims to accelerate Irish space technology by developing next‑generation satellite control systems that leverage model‑based design and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing, shortening the path from concept to flight.
Another significant initiative is GIFTS—Gamma‑ray Investigation of the Full Transient Sky—funded by Research Ireland. Led by Prof. Sheila McBreen, GIFTS builds on GMOD’s legacy with a 6U cubesat mission dedicated to detecting and localising gamma‑ray bursts, improving sky coverage of gamma events. Meanwhile, ESA has selected UCD’s C‑Space for the ComCubes project, which envisions a cubesat swarm to deliver faster, more detailed gamma‑ray burst data.
A dignified close and a forward-looking future
In reflecting on EIRSAT‑1’s de‑orbit, Prof. Lorraine Hanlon, director of the EIRSAT‑1 project and UCD C‑Space, emphasised a balanced message: while it’s a sad day for the team, the mission achieved its goals and laid a robust foundation for future Irish space endeavors. The project has demonstrated that academia and industry can work hand in hand to push Ireland’s space capabilities forward.
Dr Padraig Doolan, Ireland’s ESA delegation representative, highlighted that EIRSAT‑1 was more than a mission; it was a national demonstration of Ireland’s leadership in complex space operations—from design to in‑orbit operations. With continued investment and collaboration, Ireland stands poised to build on this success, expanding its role as a space‑faring nation and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
Conclusion: Ireland’s space sector gains from EIRSAT‑1
The story of EIRSAT‑1 is more than a single mission; it is the opening chapter of a sustained push to grow Ireland’s space economy and educational pipeline. Through programs like NSSPI and GIFTS, Ireland is translating research into real technologies, forming international partnerships, and training a new generation of space professionals ready to explore the cosmos.
