Ireland's First Satellite Set to Launch into Space

Ireland's first satellite, the Educational Irish Research Satellite 1 (EIRSAT-1), is set to launch in November. Built by students from University College Dublin under the ESA Academy's Fly Your Satellite! program, the 2-unit CubeSat carries three experiments, including a gamma ray detector to study gamma ray bursts. The project faced regulatory challenges, but with the support of ESA, EIRSAT-1 was established as Ireland's first satellite. The student team received training and built vital space infrastructure, including a cleanroom and Mission Control. The satellite is now on its way to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for launch on a Space X Falcon 9 rocket.