In 2025, Ireland’s space industry achieved unprecedented success, with 126 domestic firms collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA) as the government pledged over €170 million to ESA initiatives through 2030. Irish enterprises secured a record €25.3 million in ESA contracts, surpassing the previous peak of €24 million in 2024, according to the Space Activities in Ireland 2025 report by Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. An additional €1.3 million in ESA contracts was awarded to Irish research institutions, further showing the sector’s growth and the nation’s deepening commitment to space exploration and innovation.
Commercial growth and new investment
Ireland’s engagement with the European Space Agency (ESA) has seen significant growth, with 126 companies participating by the end of 2025, including 15 new entities. The country has committed over €170m to ESA programs through 2030, with an additional €40m investment. The Irish Delegation to ESA, jointly situated within the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Enterprise Ireland, represents Ireland’s interests in ESA programs, focusing on strategic, policy, and industrial aspects, as well as enterprise opportunities and research capabilities.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD, said the record level of contracts secured by Irish companies in 2025 is a strong endorsement of Ireland’s growing space sector and the talent, innovation and expertise that underpin it. “The sector is making an increasingly important contribution to our economy, supporting high-value employment and the development of technologies with applications across multiple industries,” Burke said. “This success reflects the capability of Irish enterprise and the important role the space sector can play in supporting future economic growth and competitiveness.
Minister of State for Employment, Small Businesses and Retail Alan Dillon TD, who holds responsibility for Space Enterprise Policy, highlighted the growing number of companies participating in ESA programmes and Ireland’s increased investment. “2025 was a year of significant achievement for Ireland’s space sector, with 126 Irish companies participating in European Space Agency (ESA) programmes,” Dillon said. “Building on this success, Ireland has increased its investment in ESA by a further €40 million, bringing our total commitment to over €170 million through to 2030 and creating new opportunities for Irish enterprise to innovate, scale and compete internationally.
Among the companies highlighted in the report is Galway-based MBRYONICS, which specialises in photonic technology and satellite optical communications. The company opened its Photon-1 volume manufacturing facility during the year, with plans to create 125 jobs over two years across deep-tech engineering and advanced manufacturing. MBRYONICS was also selected as part of the strategic European partnership delivering Element #2 of ESA’s HydRON programme, described in the report as the world’s first entirely optical multi-orbit transport network.
Jenny Melia, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, said 2025 was a milestone year for Ireland’s space sector – a year in which Irish companies moved decisively from development into commercial delivery. “Companies like Ubotica, Réaltra, Lios and Proveye continued to demonstrate the depth of Irish capability, from onboard satellite intelligence to launcher telemetry and precision agriculture,” Melia said.
Other sector milestones
Réaltra Space Systems Engineering delivered the payload interface unit for ESA’s PLATO mission. The report notes this was the first Class A deep-space instrument produced by an Irish company in 30 years. The company also supplied camera systems for Ariane 6’s fourth commercial flight of the year.
Ubotica Technologies demonstrated what the report describes as the world’s first in-orbit use of Dynamic Targeting. This technology allows satellites to autonomously detect and respond to changing conditions on Earth. Provizio completed an automotive radar algorithm designed to keep vehicle safety systems operating when satellite positioning is unavailable. The achievement is described in the report as a world first.
Celtonn secured an ESA ARTES contract to develop a 130 GHz amplifier for next-generation, 6G-capable satellite systems. The company was also selected for the CASSINI Business Accelerator. Lios secured €6.25 million from the European Innovation Council Accelerator to scale its SoundBounce advanced acoustic material. Co-founder Rhona Togher also received the EIC Women Innovators Prize.
The report also highlights applications of space technology closer to home. Proveye partnered with MILJO and Munster-based Howard Farms to bring its AI-driven, satellite-based precision fertiliser technology to more than 1,000 dairy and beef farmers. The technology is designed to reduce costs and emissions while increasing productivity.
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