How university students built Ireland’s first satellite, the shoebox-sized EIRSAT-1
For the first time, Ireland is heading to space. A team of students from University College Dublin spent six years designing and testing EIRSAT-1, a shoebox-sized CubeSat. Supported by the European Space Agency, this mission aims to probe the early Universe while training a new generation of Irish space engineers.
The journey of EIRSAT-1 began in March 2017 when a student-led group from University College Dublin (UCD) pitched their concept to the European Space Agency (ESA). Accepted into the 'Fly Your Satellite!' programme, the team received guidance from ESA specialists, applying professional agency practices to their project. Over six years, dozens of students collaborated across academic disciplines to build the satellite, utilizing UCD’s own clean room and testing facilities to ensure the hardware could withstand the rigors of launch and the harsh environment of space.
The satellite carries three innovative experiments. The primary instrument, GMOD, is a gamma-ray detector designed to study luminous outbursts from distant galaxies, such as stellar explosions or collisions. A second experiment, EMOD, tests novel thermal surface coatings—developed in collaboration with the Dublin-based company EnBio—to assess their performance in low-Earth orbit. Finally, a programming experiment tests an alternative system for controlling spacecraft orientation. To solve the challenge of fitting large antennas into a compact CubeSat dispenser, the team engineered a unique deployment module that extends the communication device 45 minutes after launch.
Beyond the technical achievements, EIRSAT-1 serves as a vital educational platform. More than 40 students have gained hands-on experience in mission operations, supported by a dedicated ground station at UCD. The project has also strengthened ties with Ireland’s growing commercial space sector, which already contributes to major international missions like the Solar Orbiter and the James Webb Space Telescope. By proving the satellite can survive space conditions through rigorous vibration and thermal vacuum testing, the team has not only launched Ireland’s first satellite but has also cemented a foundation for future Irish contributions to global space science.
