Ireland’s first satellite set to launch into the orbit

In a significant leap for Ireland’s space exploration, the nation is poised to launch its first-ever satellite into space this month. The EIRSAT-1 (Educational Irish Research Satellite 1), developed by students from the UCD School of Physics and the UCD College of Engineering, is a culmination of six years of dedicated effort. This groundbreaking initiative is part of the European Space Agency (ESA) Academy’s ‘Fly Your Satellite!’ program, fostering the development of satellites by university student teams.

Scheduled for liftoff on November 29 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the EIRSAT-1 launch marks a historic moment for Ireland’s budding space industry. Dr. Ronan Wall, the Manager of the UCD Centre for Space Research, emphasised the significance of this departure, stating it’s a “big moment for the team,” having poured thousands of hours into the spacecraft.

Once in orbit, EIRSAT-1 will conduct three experiments in Low Earth Orbit, providing valuable data back to a command centre at UCD. The experiments include a gamma-ray detector, shedding light on gamma-ray bursts; a material science experiment ensuring optimal thermal control for the spacecraft; and a pioneering control experiment developed entirely at UCD to orientate the spacecraft in a novel manner.

The launch of EIRSAT-1 heralds a new era for Ireland in space exploration, offering not only scientific insights but also advancing education and training in the country. This exciting venture reinforces Ireland’s growing presence on the cosmic stage, with the spacecraft set to contribute to the global understanding of space phenomena.