Tag: ESA

Tyndall Delivers Significant Insights for Ambitious European Space Agency Mission

Tyndall National Institute, based at University College Cork, has wrapped up a multi-year project with ESA, contributing critical expertise to the ambitious Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission.

Scheduled for launch in 2035, LISA will be the first observatory of its kind to detect gravitational waves from space, revealing new insights into the most powerful events in the universe, such as pairs of black holes coming together and merging.

Tyndall’s role focused on evaluating the reliability of commercial photonic components, small but vital parts that will help power LISA’s ultra-precise laser system. These lasers will span millions of kilometres between three spacecraft flying in formation, measuring minuscule changes in distance caused by gravitational waves.

Tyndall conducted long-term reliability testing and detailed construction analysis on a wide range of active and passive photonic devices, including laser diodes, photodiodes, UV LEDs, modulators, switches, isolators, and more. Each component was assessed against ESA’s demanding space standards, with risk levels identified for their potential use in the LISA laser system.

The outcome is a comprehensive dataset that will help ESA make informed decisions about which components to use, ensuring the mission’s laser system performs as intended when deployed.

Finbarr Waldron, Principal Engineer at Tyndall, said: “This project showcases the depth of Tyndall’s expertise in photonics and reliability engineering. Space is a very unforgiving environment, and many commercial photonic components are built using materials that may not be suitable for use in space. Our task was to rigorously test and analyse these components to determine whether or not they could withstand the extreme conditions of launch and long-term operation in space.”

WiSAR Lab Selected by Silicon Austria Labs for ESA-Funded CubeSat Communications Project

Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) has appointed ATU’s WiSAR Lab to a new ESA-funded project, ‘Enhancing CubeSat Communication: Beam Steering Antenna Systems.” The project is focused on advancing CubeSat communication with cutting-edge beam-steering solutions.

Dr. Nick Timmons, Director of the WiSAR Lab, highlighted the significance of the project, stating:
“This project represents a significant step forward in CubeSat communication technology. By leveraging advanced beam-steering solutions, we aim to overcome key challenges in space-based communication, enhancing data transmission efficiency and reliability. Our collaboration with Silicon Austria Labs and the European Space Agency underscores the importance of innovation in satellite communications, and we are excited to contribute to the future of space technology.”

Project Objectives

The primary goal is to enhance CubeSat communication circuitry by leveraging beam-steering technologies to overcome size and power limitations. The project will focus on identifying and implementing the most effective beam-steering solutions tailored to various CubeSat applications.

Background

CubeSats have gained popularity due to their compact size, low weight, and modular design, making them valuable tools for Earth observation, telecommunications, scientific research, and education. The increasing demand from governmental and private sectors has driven significant growth in the CubeSat market.

Despite their advantages, CubeSats face challenges in communication due to limited power supply and constrained coverage areas. To address these issues, beam-steering technologies offer a viable solution by dynamically adjusting signal directionality, thereby improving transmission and reception efficiency.

By integrating these technologies, the project aims to enhance data transmission rates, extend communication range, and improve reliability, unlocking new potential for CubeSat missions.

Significance and Impact

The successful integration of beam-steering technologies into CubeSat systems will revolutionize small-satellite communications, making them more capable and efficient for scientific, commercial, and educational applications.

Project Scope

This research will conduct a comprehensive analysis of state-of-the-art CubeSat communication, focusing on advancements in beam-steering antennas. Key aspects include:

  • Assessing power constraints, miniaturization, and CubeSat integration challenges.
  • Investigating cutting-edge technologies such as phased array systems, metasurface-based designs, and reconfigurable antennas.
  • Proposing a hybrid beam-steering system by designing a passive antenna to optimize CubeSat communication.

By advancing CubeSat communication capabilities, this project will contribute to the broader development of space technologies, paving the way for more efficient and adaptable small-satellite missions.

109 Irish companies secured European Space Agency (ESA) support in 2023

Enterprise Ireland has today published the ‘Space Activities in Ireland 2023’ Report, highlighting the growing participation and success of Irish companies in the European space sector. By the end of 2023, 109 Irish companies were actively engaged with ESA, demonstrating the significant expansion of Ireland’s role in this high-growth industry.

In 2023, ESA awarded contracts worth €9.9 million to Irish companies primarily focused on industrial activities. Industrial co-funding of €2.2 million further supported these enterprises. Throughout the year, 25 companies, including three newly space-active businesses, were supported in developing products and technologies across sectors including telecommunications, earth observation, and space exploration.

A key highlight of the year was the successful launch of the Educational Irish Research Satellite 1 (EIRSAT-1), Ireland’s first satellite, on 01 December 2023, marking a significant milestone. EIRSAT-1 is a student-led project from University College Dublin (UCD) and was developed in collaboration with Irish technology companies.

Commenting on the 2023 report, Minister Emer Higgins, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, said:

“2023 was a momentous year for the Irish space sector. The increasing number of Irish companies working with ESA, alongside the launch of EIRSAT-1, highlights Ireland’s strong position in this fast-growing sector.

“As Ireland’s space community continues to innovate and collaborate with European and global partners, the future of the country’s space sector looks brighter than ever. The Irish Government is committed to continuing its support for innovation and enterprise in the space sector as we look to build on these successes and further strengthen Ireland’s role in the global space economy.”

Marina Donohoe, Head of Research and Innovation at Enterprise Ireland, added:

“The strong growth in Irish companies engaging with ESA, now reaching 109, is a clear indicator of Ireland’s expanding footprint in the global space economy. This year’s report demonstrates the progress and impact Irish companies are making through collaboration with ESA, not only in advancing space technology but also in driving innovation in sectors with downstream applications. Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting these companies and the growing number of research teams actively involved in space-related developments supported by ESA.”

The space economy was valued at $630 billion in 2023 and is forecast to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, with an average annual growth rate of 9%, significantly outpacing global GDP growth[1]. This rapid expansion, driven by both public and private sector investments, has opened new opportunities for ‘NewSpace’ companies developing innovative space-related products and services.

In a demonstration of Ireland’s position at the front rank of space technology development, ESA’s new rocket the Ariane 6, which launched smoothly in July this year, used two technology systems designed and built by Irish space engineering company Réaltra. Enterprise Ireland’s ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) Ireland also had a successful year, welcoming seven new start-ups. These companies are focused on developing both upstream and downstream applications, further bolstering Ireland’s contribution to the burgeoning space sector.

Another key development for the sector in 2023 was the establishment of the Irish Space Association (ISA), a new organization designed to foster collaboration among space-active companies and research organizations in Ireland. This collaborative network will play a pivotal role in the future growth of Ireland’s space sector by promoting knowledge-sharing and enhancing the country’s competitive edge in the global space market.

The ESA End of Year Activities Report 2023 underscores the significant progress being made by Irish companies and researchers as they collaborate with ESA and European partners. With Irish companies continuing to leverage the opportunities created by NewSpace, the future looks bright for Ireland’s expanding space sector.

For more information or to download the full report, visit enterprise-ireland-esa-2023-report-en-134478.pdf

ESA Director comes to Ireland in “landmark” visit for space research community

Director of Science at the European Space Agency, Prof. Carole Mundell and her senior executive team attended an event, hosted by Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), at DIAS Dunsink Observatory as part of a national visit last week.

The European Space Agency (ESA) group has been conducting a tour of all ESA member states. Ireland joined the ESA as a founding member in 1975 and has contributed to space missions along with the 21 other member states.  Commenting on the event, Dr. Padraig Doolan, Irish Delegate to the ESA within Enterprise Ireland said, “The recent visit by the Director of the Science Programme of the ESA, Prof. Carole Mundell, was a landmark event for the Irish space research community. While Ireland’s success on the industry side of space is reasonably well-known, this occasion provided a platform to recognise and celebrate the substantial breadth of expertise and talent that exists among the academic community in Ireland.

“During her time here, Prof. Mundell met with multiple research groups, stakeholders and seven universities from across Ireland at the event, hosted by DIAS Dunsink Observatory. She also engaged with several Irish-based senior scientists specialising in the areas of fundamental physics, galaxies and cosmology, heliophysics, planetary science, star formation and exoplanets, and stars and stellar evolution, as well as hearing first-hand from the team behind the successful development and launch of Ireland’s first satellite, EIRSAT-1.”

Host of the event Prof. Caitriona Jackman (Senior Professor and head of the DIAS Planetary Group), noted that “the day provided an opportunity to showcase some of the highlights of Irish space science and astronomy. Irish-based scientists engage with ESA on many levels, ranging from our formal positions as named investigators on missions like Solar Orbiter and JUICE, to our service on ESA working groups and mission selection panels. Our group of senior scientists laid out our ambition for increased engagement with the future portfolio of ESA missions from technology development to science exploitation.”

DIAS involvement

As part of the event hosted at DIAS Dunsink Observatory, DIAS scientists including Prof. Caitriona Jackman, Dr. Hans Huybrighs and Dr. Charles Bowers from the DIAS Planetary Group presented examples of their work on the magnetic environments of Mercury and Jupiter. Prof. Peter Gallagher, Dr. Shane Maloney and Dr. Sophie Murray highlighted Ireland’s formal involvement in the Solar Orbiter mission STIX instrument, and their leading Space Weather forecasting work. Prof. Tom Ray, co-primary investigator on the mid-infrared instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope, provided updates on DIAS activity on the development of detectors for space, as well as looking to future missions like Ariel.

The event was attended by representatives from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE), and Enterprise Ireland (EI), including the Irish Delegation to ESA.