The first European Space Agency (ESA) ‘Phi-Lab’ headquartered in Ireland has officially launched at Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) in Mullingar.
The new facility, run in collaboration with the AMBER Centre at Trinity College Dublin, is to be Ireland’s national platform for space technology development.
The launch is part of a wider national commitment to the ESA, with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment committing €170m in investment to ESA over the next five years.
The Phi-Lab is the flagship element of that investment and is intended to translate policy ambition into tangible national infrastructure designed to accelerate space-enabled innovation, industrial competitiveness and high-value job creation.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke formally launched the Phi-Lab and unveiled a commemorative plaque at IMR’s Advanced Manufacturing Lab.
roduced using a space-grade additive manufactured material mounted on a local piece of 6,500-year-old Irish Bog Oak, the plaque heralds Ireland’s formal entry into ESA’s elite network of applied space-innovation centres.
The ESA’s Phi-Lab initiative aims to bring research closer to commercialisation by bridging disruptive research and commercial needs.
The Phi-Lab Network matures technologies in advanced manufacturing, materials discovery, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and robotics.
Those technologies have direct application across in-space and terrestrial manufacturing, agriculture, energy systems, climate innovation, and critical infrastructure.
“Today marks a significant milestone in Ireland’s space and innovation ambition,” said Barry Kennedy, CEO of IMR.
“IMR is proud to lead the launch of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland, establishing it as a national platform for space technology development.
“This facility positions Ireland at the forefront of European space-enabled innovation, where advanced manufacturing, AI and data-driven technologies can be developed, tested and commercialised for global impact.
“Ultimately, this is about translating world-class research into real economic and societal value.”
Minister Burke said the launch reflects Ireland’s accelerating momentum within Europe’s space and Deep Tech sectors.
“ESA Phi-Lab Ireland strengthens Ireland’s position, and the midlands region, as a hub for advanced research, innovation and high-value enterprise,” he commented.
“It demonstrates our long-term commitment to supporting cutting-edge technologies that will drive competitiveness, create skilled jobs and deliver solutions to global challenges, from advanced manufacturing to industrial transformation.
“The Government’s €170m commitment to ESA over the next five years is about ensuring Ireland plays a leading role in Europe’s space future.”
Mbryonics and Ubotica Technologies were announced as the first companies to be supported by ESA Phi-Lab Ireland, both having been selected from a highly-competitive open call last year.
Minister Burke also announced a second open call for proposals, which will continue to fund cutting-edge research in Irish industry across the entire life-cycle from materials discovery and testing to the scaled production of components optimised for the unique and challenging environment of space.
The second call will welcome projects from space-active companies seeking to advance their position in the European space market and/or bring their innovations to larger terrestrial markets.
It will also welcome projects from companies that in the past have never considered their products for the space sector, with expert support provided during the entire application stage.
Since the publication of Ireland’s National Space Strategy for Enterprise in 2019, there are now 120 space-active companies working with ESA in Ireland.
“ESA Phi-Lab in Ireland is a powerful example of how Europe is strengthening its technology by bringing cutting-edge research closer to industrial applications,” said Dietmar Pilz, director of technology at ESA.
Will Barton OBE, Chairman, IMR, Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Barry Kennedy, CEO, IMR, Dietmar Pilz, Director of Technology, Engineering & Quality, and Head of ESTEC, ESA, Philip Thomas, Head of ScaleUp Programme Division, ESA and Ken Horan — Head of ESA Phi-Lab Ireland
“With ESA Phi‑Lab Ireland, ESA is investing in the technologies that will elevate the future of Europe’s space sector, strengthening industrial competitiveness while ensuring that innovation for space delivers value far beyond it.
“It reinforces ESA’s commitment to fostering excellence across its member states and to ensuring that innovation developed for space delivers real benefits for industry, society and Europe’s long‑term competitiveness.”
Photo: Ruth Mackey, Chief Science Officer/COO, Mbryonics, Aubrey Dunne, CTO, Ubotica, Minister Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Dietmar Pilz, Director of Technology, Engineering & Quality, and Head of ESTEC, ESA, Philip Thomas, Head of ScaleUp Programme Division, ESA and Barry Kennedy, CEO, IMR