A groundbreaking astronomical endeavor is underway, led by an Irishman, that promises to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos. The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) is set to become the largest telescope ever constructed, and it's currently taking shape in the Andes Mountains of Chile.
Professor Tom Ray, president of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), is at the helm of this ambitious project. In an interview, he described the ELT as a mirror spanning an incredible 40 meters, with a dome rivaling the Colosseum in Rome in size and height. The ELT is expected to be fully operational by 2028, and its construction is estimated to cost a whopping €1.5 billion.
"It's an immense undertaking, dwarfing any telescope built before it," Prof. Ray emphasized. "With the ELT, we'll be able to capture images of Earth-sized planets orbiting nearby stars and even analyze their atmospheres. We're on a quest to discover signs of life beyond our planet, seeking oxygen and other indicators of potential habitability."
Ireland's involvement in this project is significant, with Prof. Ray noting that Irish institutions are making valuable contributions. The University of Galway, for instance, is instrumental in developing adaptive optics, a technique that uses lasers to enhance the clarity of star images as seen through telescopes.
Ireland's presence in space exploration is growing, creating new opportunities and jobs. Senior Irish scientists highlight this trend, pointing to Ireland's successful completion of its first satellite mission in space in 2025. Additionally, Belfast-born astronaut Dr. Rosemary Coogan joined the European Space Agency (ESA) this year, thanks to UK government funding. Norah Patten is also set to embark on a commercial space flight in 2027.
In March 2025, Ireland became a member of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Scientists in Galway will be among the first to utilize the ELT once it's operational. They're currently collaborating with Italian scientists on a project studying exoplanets, and earlier this year, they discovered the planet WISPIT 2b, located approximately 430 light-years from Earth.
EIRSAT-1, Ireland's inaugural satellite, was launched in January 2023 and successfully completed its mission in September 2025, burning up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. Professor Lorraine Hanlon, an astronomer and director of UCD's Centre for Space Research, led the EIRSAT-1 mission. She explained that the technology developed for this mission has been thoroughly tested, demonstrating its potential for use not only in small satellites but also as building blocks for more powerful instruments in the future.
During the EIRSAT-1 mission, Prof. Hanlon's team at UCD detected 12 gamma-ray bursts and several solar flares using the satellite.
Ireland's investment in space exploration is paying dividends, despite not having its own dedicated space agency. Enterprise Ireland manages the country's space program, and Prof. Hanlon believes that while a standalone space agency hasn't been necessary up until now, the case for one is strengthening to coordinate education, research, industry, and innovation.
Ireland's investment in ESA, though relatively small compared to other countries, yields impressive returns, with an estimated 7:1 return on investment. In 2025, Ireland's total contribution to ESA was €26 million, and at least 116 Irish companies hold contracts with ESA. Many Irish companies and higher education institutions are benefiting from their membership in organizations like ESA, ESO, and CERN.
Prof. Hanlon emphasized the value of these memberships, stating that Irish scientists are actively involved in defining the experiments and challenges that drive space exploration forward. Munster Technological University, for example, is already participating in a scientific experiment with CERN.
The ESA's upcoming PLATO mission, launching this year to search for planets around other stars, will feature technology from the Irish company Réaltra. Another Irish company, InnaLabs, has its technology onboard the ESA's HERA mission, which is scheduled to arrive at the Didymos asteroid system in late 2026.
At UCD, another satellite mission called GIFTS: A 6U CubeSat for the detection and localization of gamma-ray bursts is in progress. Aerial, a project funded by both ESA and ESO, also involves Irish participation. Prof. Ray described Aerial as a project that will study the atmospheres of thousands of planets from space, requiring testing at extremely low temperatures to simulate space conditions.
"Irish scientists are doing truly innovative work in space," Prof. Ray added. "Our students and researchers are receiving top-notch training, not just through the European Space Agency but also through the European Southern Observatory. The demand for our PhD graduates is high; they're quickly snapped up by various industries."
And this is just the beginning. With Ireland's growing involvement in space exploration, the possibilities for discovery and innovation are limitless.
