A further €1.3m in contracts was awarded to Irish research performing organizations, according to the latest Space Activities in Ireland 2025 report, published by Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
The number of Irish companies engaging with the ESA also increased to 126 by the end of 2025, with 15 new space-active entities joining during the year.
The figures were announced alongside confirmation that Ireland has committed more than €170m to ESA programs through to 2030, following an additional €40m investment to support the sector's development.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said the record contracts demonstrated the growing strength of Ireland's space industry.
“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,” he said.
Minister of State for Employment, Small Businesses and Retail Alan Dillon said the increased investment would create further opportunities for Irish businesses to innovate and compete internationally.
The report highlighted a number of significant achievements across the sector, including Galway-based MBRYONICS opening its Photon-1 volume manufacturing facility, which is expected to create 125 jobs over two years in deep tech engineering and advanced manufacturing.
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The company was also selected as part of a European partnership delivering the European Space Agency's HydRON program, which aims to develop the world's first entirely optical multi-orbit transport network.
Other Irish companies making progress included Réaltra Space Systems Engineering, which delivered a payload interface unit for ESA's PLATO mission, while Ubotica Technologies demonstrated the first in-orbit use of Dynamic Targeting, allowing satellites to autonomously detect and respond to changing conditions on Earth.
Meanwhile, precision agriculture company Proveye partnered with MILJO and Howard Farms to bring satellite-based fertilizer technology to more than 1,000 dairy and beef farmers.
Enterprise Ireland chief executive Jenny Melia said 2025 marked a milestone for the industry.
“Irish companies moved decisively from development into commercial delivery,” she said, adding that Enterprise Ireland was proud to support businesses competing and collaborating on the global stage.
The report also highlighted investment and innovation by Lios, Celtonn and Provizio across advanced materials, satellite communications and automotive radar technology.
* This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.
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