ESA Space Solutions Centre Ireland, headquartered at Tyndall, is part of the largest space innovation network in the world. To celebrate Space Week, we’re sharing our Top 10 ESA facts.
One
The European Space Agency (ESA) was formed on the May 30,1975, with 10 Founding Member States. Ireland joined ESA in December 1980.
Two
Over 80 Irish companies and a growing number of research teams are involved in space related developments supported by ESA’s technology transfer network – ESA Space Solutions.
Three
ESA has had an active human spaceflight programme since 1978. Since then, there have been 25 astronauts in the European Astronaut Corps. This number is set to increase in 2022 when 4-6 new astronauts are named.
Four
ESA are leading the way in enhancing inclusiveness and fair representation. In a first for both ESA and human spaceflight worldwide, ESA has begun the process of hiring people with physical disabilities to be trained as astronauts. Over 250 people applied for this role and the process will take about 18 months before any of them are selected as astronauts.
Five
ESA‘s fleet of Solar System explorers have been sent far and wide around our planetary neighbourhood. Space craft have been sent to orbit the Sun (Solar Orbiter, 2020), out as far as Saturn and its moons (Cassini-Huygens, 1997-2017) and many places in between.
Six
ESA also has a fleet of Earth Explorers in orbit, which are dedicated to specific aspects of our Earth environment whilst demonstrating new technology in space. The overall goal of these missions is to understand the impact that human activity is having on the natural processes that occur on Earth and in its environment.
Seven
ESA is very involved with the Climate Change Initiative which makes full use of Europe’s Earth Observation satellites to generate long term databases regarding key indicators of climate change.
Eight
ESA has three main launch vehicles - Ariane, Soyuz and Vega. These are used to cover all European government and most commercial market needs, which increases the socio-economic benefits of access to space in Europe.
Nine
Irelands first satellite, EIRSAT-1, is currently being designed and built and is planned for launch from the International Space Station in 2021. It is hoped that it will be operational one year after deployment.
Ten
There are approximately 2,200 staff working for ESA, which includes scientists, engineers, and administrative personnel from all ESA Member States. In 2018, 40% of ESA’s new recruits were female.
At ESA Space Solutions Centre Ireland we are supporting Irish start-ups and SMEs to develop businesses using space technology and data. We provide funding and support through our Business Incubation Centre and Spark Funding Programme, where participants can avail of:
- €50,000 zero-equity funding;
- Business mentoring and support;
- Access to infrastructure and facilities;
- Bespoke Training;
- Credibility of ESA and Enterprise Ireland brands;
- International networking opportunities.
If you’d like to learn more about ESA Space Solutions Centre Ireland visit our new website.
ESA Space Solutions Ireland is composed of five Consortium Partners. These are Tyndall National Institute (Lead Partner), Maynooth University, MaREI, Technological University of the Shannon and University College Dublin.
Our local partner is Enterprise Ireland, which acts as the contact point for Ireland’s National Delegation to ESA along with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.