Space Industry Skillnet Celebrates Involvement in Landmark Ariane 6 European Space Agency Rocket Launch

Space Industry Skillnet celebrated a major milestone recently, as the Skillnet Business Network made a key contribution to a landmark European Space Agency (ESA) Rocket launch.  

On July 9th, the Ariane 6 successfully launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The state-of-the-art rocket was built using key components from Irish space engineering firm Réaltra, a company which has engaged in upskilling with Space Industry Skillnet for many years.  

Réaltra’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) telemetry system (GEKI) provided accurate and reliable positioning information for Ariane 6, while the company’s Video Telemetry System (VIKI) captured and transmitted live HD video telemetry images during all phases of the launcher mission, from six cameras located on-board.  

Catherine Lenehan, Network Manager, Space Industry Skillnet, said Réaltra’s involvement in the landmark space mission proves that Irish talent is making a tangible impact on the international space sector.  

“For a small country, we’re definitely providing the talent and skills development that has been reached over the years in the space sector. This a prime example of small companies using our Network to help train their staff and improve their skills and development, to be on such a launch and to show our Irish talent and skills to the world,” Catherine said. 

Members of the Irish space sector gathered for a special event to mark the Ariane 6 launch and watch live, the images captured by Réaltra’s VIKI system. Danny Gleeson, Network Promoter, Space Industry Skillnet, said the mission was a great success: “Ariane 6 was launched smoothly at 8pm at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana and the video images from our system were great and well received. They were broadcast globally, so people from Australia to Peru and back again have seen these images, which is amazing. The Space Industry Skillnet is the national programme for raising the skills and talent within the space sector. That had a big input into the success of the space sector and the success of Réaltra. The Space Industry Skillnet is based in the Midlands Innovation and Research Centre in TUS Athlone. People come from all over the world to give and receive training in Athlone.” 

Meanwhile, congratulating Space Industry Skillnet on its crucial role in the mission, Tracey Donnery, Director of Policy & Communications, Skillnet Ireland, said: “This is a momentous occasion for the Irish Space sector and it is a great testament to the extensive national and international collaborative partnerships that have enabled this launch and the many benefits it will afford Europe and the world. Since launching in 2006, Space Industry Skillnet has played a vital role in developing the incredible skills, expertise and capabilities of Ireland’s space sector. It is inspiring to witness the commitment to strengthening Europe’s position as a global space hub, expand the use of space technologies and to harness the data needed to tackle our climate change priorities and so much more.”  

The Ariane 6 is a launch vehicle designed and built by ArianeGroup on behalf of the ESA. For the development of Ariane 6, ESA collaborated with an industrial network in 13 European countries, led by prime contractor and design authority ArianeGroup.  

Building on the success of its predecessors, the mission will ensure Europe continues to have secure and autonomous access to space in the future. The Ariane 6 will launch a wide range of space missions over the next decade, including multiple payload missions. 

The Ariane 6 launch comes as the National Space Centre (NSC) recently launched a new Space Academy to equip Irish companies with the skills needed to enter the global space sector. The Space Academy offers upskilling for engineers, IT professionals, and network industry personnel, focusing on space communications and satellite applications. The initiative is supported by Space Industry Skillnet and aims to help Irish firms develop commercial applications and capitalise on the growing global space economy. 

To find out more about the programmes and supports available through Space Industry Skillnet, visit www.spaceindustryskillnet.com.