European Space Agency says Ireland has key role in developing space technology

Irish companies could play a key role in developing technology designed to function in space, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).

Technology developed in Ireland is already recognised as “distinguished”, said Dr Franco Ongaro, director of technical and quality management at ESA.

An Irish company supplied monitoring equipment for the first commercial flight to the International Space Station, which was due to dock yesterday.

Data-handling electronics were developed at Dublin company Curtiss Wright Controls Avionics Electronics with the assistance of Irish ESA funding through Enterprise Ireland.

Dr Ongaro was a speaker at an Enterprise Ireland forum on the benefits of Irish membership of ESA in Cork yesterday.