EIRSAT-1: The educational Irish research satellite

The Educational Irish Research Satellite, 'EIRSAT-1', is a collaborative space project, developed by students and staff of University College Dublin (UCD), that aims to build, launch and operate the first ever Irish satellite. EIRSAT-1 is one of six CubeSats which was selected by ESA Education for the 2017 edition of the Fly Your Satellite programme. The project will provide hands-on training and education for undergraduate and graduate students at UCD in all major aspects of satellite development, under expert guidance from academic and industry mentors. The project is supported by a number of industrial partners including ENBIO, SensL, IDEAS, Parameter Space and Nammo Ireland. The EIRSAT-1 spacecraft is a 2U CubeSat incorporating three novel experiment payloads: GMOD, a gamma-ray detector; EMOD, a thermal management coating demonstration; and WBC, an attitude control algorithm. All payloads contain technology that will be flown in space for the first time, marking an important step in their space heritage. The spacecraft is currently under construction at University College Dublin and will delivered to ESA in 2020. The project will have a significant impact on educational programs and future skills by placing space flight know-how into students' hands for the first time. There will be a wider societal impact, through an exciting outreach STEM program. The launch of an Irish CubeSat is a stated aim of the Irish Space Industry Group who have recognised the importance of developing heritage to enable growth in the space sector in Ireland, with a plan to double the workforce in that sector by 2020.