Ireland Launches Its First Satellite, Eirsat-1, into Space
Ireland has officially entered the space age as the country’s first satellite, Eirsat-1, was launched into space on Friday evening. The satellite was aboard a Falcon 9 Space X rocket which was launched from California.
The satellite, which was designed and constructed by dozens of students over the past six years, is a cause for celebration. Mission control at UCD in Dublin toasted the successful launch, although initial celebrations were somewhat muted by a two-hour wait to make contact with the satellite after it was sent into orbit.
The team was finally able to make contact with the satellite as it passed over Ireland, marking a major accomplishment for the students and professionals involved in the project.
Eirsat-1 is carrying three experiments, including a gamma ray detector to study luminous explosions in the universe, the measurement of temperature modification in space, and an experiment on wave-based control to ensure that satellites in space are pointed in the right direction.
Speaking about the launch, UCD president Prof Orla Feely expressed pride in seeing “a little piece of Ireland, a little piece of UCD” in the night sky. The successful launch marks a historic moment for the Irish space industry, opening up new opportunities for students in science and engineering.