Introducing EIRSAT-1, Ireland’s first ever satellite
30 November 2023
Have you ever dreamed of designing your own satellite to conduct science experiments in space? You may think that only scientists with many years of experience can do this, but ESA Academy’s Fly Your Satellite! programme gives university students – your ‘big sisters and brothers’ - the chance to put their own craft into space – a dream come true!
A student team from University College Dublin in Ireland have been part of Fly Your Satellite! for the past six years. They have designed and built their own satellite, called EIRSAT-1. This is a very impressive feat and has made history as Ireland’s first ever satellite!
EIRSAT-1 is a very small satellite – about the same size as a big milk carton. Despite its tiny size, it is packed with high-tech experiments built by the students themselves. These include detecting mysterious flashes in the Universe called ‘gamma ray bursts’ and a way to protecting the surface of a satellite when it is in space.
It was a challenge for the students to make sure that their satellite could work reliably. If something goes wrong, it is not possible to go into space to make repairs! EIRSAT-1 had to complete a series of challenging tests before launch to check that it was up to the task of working properly in space. The students worked incredibly hard on their satellite, making something they can all be proud of.
Imagine you are part of a future Fly Your Satellite! team. What would you name your satellite, and what would its mission be?
Cool fact: EIRSAT-1 stands for Educational Irish Research Satellite, and the team hope it will help to inspire the children of today to become the space scientists of tomorrow!
Discover how students build Ireland’s first satellite!
Curious to learn more?
- For more updates on EIRSAT-1, and other Fly Your Satellite! projects, please click here.
- Explore this classroom material created by ESERO Ireland, available in English!
- Enjoy the EIRSAT-1 Comic.
