Minister O’Keeffe announces €1.9m EU space contracts for Galway firm

28 June 2010

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD, today [Monday] announced contracts worth €1.9million for a firm developing new technologies for space launchers and satellites.

ÉireComposites Teoranta in Indreabhán, Co Galway, will employ three new engineering graduates to work on the project.

The contracts are with the European Space Agency (ESA).

The Government invests €14.5 million annually in the ESA which enables firms to bid for technology development contracts.

ÉireComposites Teoranta won the contracts to develop technologies for next-generation space launchers and satellites with the support of Enterprise Ireland.

ÉireComposites Teoranta’s technology is in the design and processing of advanced lightweight composite materials that can be used in aircraft, wind turbines, automotives and spacecraft.

The ESA contracts will allow the company to develop the lightweight materials to withstand extreme temperatures, pressures and turbulence and at the same time reduce spacecraft weight and the launch costs.

Announcing the contracts in Galway today, Minister O’Keeffe said: ‘The success of ÉireComposites Teoranta in securing these ESA contracts shows how small rural Irish companies can compete with other players by focusing on innovation and human capital.

‘Ireland’s membership of the ESA has helped over 50 Irish firms to secure contracts worth more than €60 million in the past decade.

‘A growing number of high-tech firms are emerging in the space technology sector and Ireland is developing a strong reputation for bringing advanced innovation to the space programme.’

The Joint Managing Director of ÉireComposites Teoranta, Dr Conchúr Ó Brádaigh, said: ‘Winning ESA contracts is an important factor in developing our company’s technical capabilities and it will position the company to grow in both the space and aerospace market.

‘With the support of Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta, I am looking forward to developing EireComposites into one of Europe’s leading firms in the commercial space and aerospace markets.’

Welcoming the announcement, the chief executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Pádraig Ó hAoláin, said that it is vital that Gaeltacht-based firms have access to state-of-the-art research and development facilities that allow them to compete on a global scale.

‘This venture is a good example of enhanced collaboration between development agencies, ensuring that client companies are given the best opportunities available,’ he said.

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