Irish companies secured a record €25.3m in European Space Agency (ESA) contracts last year, the new Space Activities in Ireland 2025 report shows today.
The report, published today by Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said this represents an increase on the previous-highest tally of €24m in 2024.
A further €1.3m in ESA contracts was placed with Irish research performing organisations.
The number of Irish companies engaging with ESA also continued to grow, reaching 126 by the end of 2025, including 15 new space-active entities.
This comes after the news that Ireland committed more than €170m to ESA programmes up to 2030, underpinning the next phase of growth for Irish industry, as ESA marked its 50th anniversary.
The companies include Galway-based MBRYONICS, which provides photonic technology and satellite optical communications, and which opened its new Photon-1 volume manufacturing facility, creating 125 new jobs over two years in deep tech engineering and advanced manufacturing.
Réaltra Space Systems Engineering delivered the payload interface unit for ESA’s PLATO mission – the first Class A deep space instrument produced by an Irish company in 30 years – and supplied camera systems for Ariane 6’s fourth commercial flight of the year.
Proveye partnered with MILJO and Munster-based Howard Farms to bring its AI-driven, satellite-based precision fertiliser technology to over 1,000 dairy and beef farmers, cutting costs and emissions while boosting productivity.
Lios secured €6.25m in funding from the European Innovation Council Accelerator to scale its advanced acoustic material, SoundBounce, with co-founder Rhona Togher also awarded the EIC Women Innovators Prize.
Celtonn was awarded an ESA ARTES contract to develop a 130 GHz amplifier for next-generation 6G-capable satellite systems, and was selected for the CASSINI Business Accelerator.
Ubotica Technologies demonstrated the world’s first in-orbit use of Dynamic Targeting, enabling satellites to autonomously detect and respond to changing conditions on Earth.
And Provizio completed a world-first automotive radar algorithm that keeps vehicle safety systems running even when satellite positioning is blocked, such as in tunnels or built-up cities – a world first.
Jenny Melia, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, said that 2025 was a milestone year for Ireland’s space sector – a year in which Irish companies moved decisively from development into commercial delivery.
“Enterprise Ireland is proud to support these companies as they compete and collaborate on the global stage, through the work of our colleagues on the Irish Delegation to ESA, who ensure Irish priorities and enterprise opportunities are reflected in ESA’s decisions and investments,” she added.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said that the record level of contracts secured by Irish companies in 2025 is a strong endorsement of the country’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. This success reflects the capability of Irish enterprise and the important role the space sector can play in supporting future economic growth and competitiveness,” Mr Burke said.
Minister of State for Employment, Small Businesses and Retail, Alan Dillon, who holds responsibility for Space Enterprise Policy, said that 2025 was a year of significant achievement for Ireland’s space sector, with 126 Irish companies participating in European Space Agency (ESA) programmes, a record €26.7m secured in ESA contracts, and the establishment of Ireland’s first ESA Φ-Lab.
“Building on this success, Ireland has increased its investment in ESA by a further €40m, bringing our total commitment to over €170m through to 2030 and creating new opportunities for Irish enterprise to innovate, scale and compete internationally,” he added.
