Countdown begins for Ireland's first rocket launch
A Cork-based aerospace company is to play a major role in Ireland’s first ever commercial rocket launch set for late 2025.
SUAS Aerospace, in Elfordstown near Midleton, will oversee complex launch logistics for the Pathfinder mission which is set to launch from Ireland’s west coast.
The company will also be responsible for site acquisition, licensing, and stakeholder engagements.
The mission aims to position Ireland as a key player in the European space industry while demonstrating the country’s geographical advantage and capability for delivering satellites to northerly and southerly low earth orbits.
Up until now, European orbital rocket launches have primarily been conducted from French Guiana in South America rather than in Europe.
The project is the result of a strategic partnership between SUAS Aerospace and T-Minus Engineering, a Netherlands-based company that develops, produces, and launches rocket systems for research, observation, and training purposes.
Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO of SUAS Aerospace, described the Pathfinder mission as a significant milestone for Ireland's space programme.
He said: “It will not only demonstrate the country's technical capabilities but also contribute to economic growth and job creation. By partnering with T-Minus, we are ensuring that the launch meets the highest safety standards and regulatory requirements, paving the way for future space activities.
“Having collaborated on a project previously with T-Minus Engineering, they are the obvious choice for the Pathfinder mission, having conducted multiple suborbital launches within Europe and worldwide,” he added.
With capabilities in solid rocket propulsion, onboard electronics and telemetry, lightweight materials, and safety simulations, T-Minus Engineering has launched various rockets from locations across the globe, including Australia, Scandinavia, and the UK.
Hein Olthof, CEO of T-Minus Engineering, said: “We believe this partnership will open up new opportunities for our customers, and we are confident that our collaboration with SUAS Aerospace will lead to innovative and successful projects, fuelling the growth of Europe’s space capabilities. Ireland can be a centre of this growth.
“The establishment of new launch sites, such as Ireland, will encourage harmonization of launch operations within Europe,” he added.
SUAS Aerospace was founded in 2019 and is supported by the Enterprise Ireland.
With initial investment of €1.1 million to date, and along with T-Minus Engineering, it has secured significant partnerships with major European companies including Skyrora and Pangea Aerospace.
It is part of a successful consortium awarded a €5m grant from Horizon Europe to develop interoperable (plug and play) rocket engine testing infrastructure for Europe.