- Supports
- About
-
News and Events
News and Events
Events
How can we help?
Ariane 6 Rocket Launch Takes Irish Space Company Réaltra To New Heights
09th
July 2024
Dublin-based Réaltra Space Systems Engineering contracted by ArianeGroup to provide Video Telemetry System and GNSS Telemetry System for new European rocket the Ariane 6.
Today, 9th July, Réaltra will reach its next big milestone, as the new European rocket launch vehicle, the Ariane 6, is scheduled to launch between 19:00–23:00 IST this evening at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. On board will be two state-of-the-art technology systems designed, built and delivered by the Irish space engineering company, Réaltra: the Video Telemetry System (VIKI), and the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) telemetry system (GEKI).
The Ariane 6 is a launch vehicle designed and built by ArianeGroup on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA). For the development of Ariane 6, ESA is working with an industrial network in 13 European countries, led by prime contractor and design authority ArianeGroup. Building on the success of its predecessors, the Ariane 6 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.
Irish company Réaltra has designed and delivered VIKI, the Video Telemetry System, which will provide the live HD video telemetry images during all phases of the launcher mission, from six cameras located on-board the Ariane 6. GEKI, the GNSS system will leverage advanced satellite navigation technology to ensure precise positioning, velocity, and timing measurements. It is intended to fly as an autonomous experimental system on this first launch of Ariane 6, to validate the GNSS functionality in space at high speeds.
The inaugural Ariane 6 launch is primarily a demonstration flight, however, satellites, deployers and experiments from companies, research institutes, universities, young professionals and space agencies are flying as passengers. This flight will carry multiple cube-sats from companies and organizations, and payloads that will remain attached to the rocket’s upper stage, one of which is Réaltra’s state-of-the-art GNSS telemetry system GEKI.
Minister Emer Higgins said: “Enterprise Ireland has played an important role in connecting the Irish space industry and research community for participation in European Space Agency Programmes and we are very proud of Irish company Réaltra for its contribution to this new pioneering European rocket, the Ariane 6. Working in space demands the highest engineering and manufacturing standards and skills. The inclusion of Réaltra’s technology in the Ariane 6 is a testament to their market-leading expertise, and an inspiration to other Irish companies in the highly specialised space market.”
Danny Gleeson, CCO of Réaltra said: "We are delighted and proud that the Réaltra Video Telemetry and GNSS systems have been selected to fly on the maiden flight of the Ariane A6 launcher. Our partnership with ArianeGroup is a testament to the dedication and talent of our team in Ireland in providing cutting-edge solutions for the global space market.”
“This achievement marks a major milestone for Réaltra and demonstrates the company's commitment to delivering innovative solutions and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology for space applications. Since the establishment of Réaltra in 2018, we have built up significant experience and legacy in providing innovative space solutions and we look forward to expanding on these successes” said Michael Martin, Engineering Manager of Réaltra.
Paul White, Managing Director, Realtime Technologies Ltd., said “We are very proud that our Réaltra division in Realtime Technologies has been selected by ArianeGroup to join their industrial team for the development of the GNSS and video telemetry kit for the historic Ariane 6 launch vehicle. The selection of Réaltra by ArianeGroup is a testament to the hard work, deep experience and high standards displayed by our staff.”
Padraig Doolan, National Delegate to European Space Agency (ESA) said: “Enterprise Ireland has been proud to support the talented team at Réaltra and we want to extend our congratulations to the entire team, who have worked extremely hard on this project. The Irish space community, through an innovative and agile approach to Research, Development and Innovation, continues to be well-placed to collaborate with European partners and successfully compete in the global space market. The selection of Réaltra equipment for the Ariane 6 is a testament to the calibre of the team, as well as the quality of the space tech solutions provided.”
French Ambassador to Ireland, Vincent Guérend said: “Space is an established priority for France, as President Emmanuel Macron has set out a clear strategy: France and Europe must remain at the forefront of the economic and scientific exploration of space. This commitment is reflected in the France 2030 programme, which devotes €1.5 billion to the space sector. France’s ambition is underpinned by collaborative projects between us Europeans, bringing together researchers, emerging industrial leaders and established actors in the space industry. Franco-Irish relations have reached a whole new dimension when it comes to space: the collaboration between ArianeGroupe and Réaltra Space Systems is a reflection of the potential of Franco-Irish relations in this sector, which is fast becoming a key strategic area of cooperation.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
Photography to be issued from event at Dunsink Observatory, Dublin 15, this evening at approx. 8pm by Coalesce -creative@coalesce.ie
Media are invited to attend this event – please RSVP to Deirdre Geraghty, Enterprise Ireland, Deirdre.geraghty@enterprise-ireland.com by 4pm on 9 July – further details below.
Date and time of launch subject to change; for the latest schedule see: https://www.esa.int/ariane
HOW TO WATCH: Video transmission begins 30 minutes before launch at ESA Web TV and can also be followed on YouTube in English, French and German.
The clean feed can be retrieved via the following link: https://youtube.com/live/ogXamYYJpQk?feature=share
Media Resources
ArianeGroup - https://press.ariane.group/en/
European Space Agency - https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Ariane/Ariane_6_media_kit
Material for Media
Ariane 6 Images
Ariane 6 images for professionals (updated with pictures of the launch)
For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly spaceinimages@esa.int.
Ariane 6 Videos:
For questions or more information related to ESA videos, please contact directly spaceinvideos@esa.int.
For Inspiration: Stories on Ariane 6:
Media Contacts
Réaltra
Contact: Danny Gleeson
Telephone: +353 87 2448148
Email: dgleeson@realtra.space
Contact: Norah Patten
Telephone: +353 87 6469017
Email: npatten@realtra.space
Enterprise Ireland
Contact: Deirdre Geraghty
Telephone: 086 603 1969
Email: Deirdre.geraghty@enterprise-ireland.com
French Embassy in Ireland
Contact: Peadar Kearney
Telephone: +353 83 096 9837
Email: peadar.kearney@diplomatie.gouv.fr
ESA Newsroom and Media Relations: media@esa.int
About Réaltra Space Systems Engineering
Réaltra is the Irish word for “galaxy”, which is appropriate in the context of the company’s vision of creating innovative low-cost electronic systems for space applications. The Réaltra division of Realtime Technologies Ltd. was formed in January 2018 by Paddy White (CEO), Diarmuid Corry (CTO) and Danny Gleeson (CCO), each with long experience in the space sector, to focus specifically on the growing global space market for high-quality and high-reliability electronic systems, targeting the commercial “NewSpace” market, with a focus on the burgeoning global micro-launchers and small satellite sectors. Réaltra currently employs 20 people, including staff with significant space heritage to recent graduates of UCD’s Masters in Space Science & Technology and interns from Irish Universities. The company plans to employ up to 50 highly skilled people over the next few years. www.realtra.space
Realtime Technologies Ltd. is an Irish-owned company, employing over 50 people, that was founded by Paddy White in 1996 as a supplier of printed circuit board assemblies to the global IT, aerospace, automotive and medical device sectors. www.realtime.ie
About ArianeGroup
ArianeGroup develops and supplies innovative and competitive solutions for civil and military space launchers, with expertise in all aspects of state-of-the-art propulsion technologies. ArianeGroup is lead contractor for Europe’s Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 launcher families, responsible for both design and the entire production chain, up to and including marketing by its Arianespace subsidiary, as well as for the missiles of the French oceanic deterrent force. ArianeGroup and its subsidiaries enjoy a global reputation as specialists in the field of equipment and propulsion for space applications, while their expertise also benefits other industrial sectors. The group is a joint venture equally owned by Airbus and Safran, and employs approximately 9,000 highly qualified staff in France and Germany. Its 2018 revenues amounted to 3.6 billion euros.
www.ariane.group
About the European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA is an international organisation with 22 Member States. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.
ESA’s job is to draw up the European space programme and carry it through. ESA's programmes are designed to find out more about Earth, its immediate space environment, our Solar System and the Universe, as well as to develop satellite-based technologies and services, and to promote European industries. www.esa.int
About Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. We work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate, and win export sales in global markets. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth, regional development, and secure employment.
Enterprise Ireland co-ordinates Ireland’s industrial and research participation in the programmes of the European Space Agency, provides a source of expertise for Irish companies in developing and executing space strategies, as well as being a point of reference for the international space industry when they want to identify relevant sources of space-related expertise within Ireland.
www.enterprise-ireland.com/space
About Ariane 6
Ariane 6 is modular, flexible and competitive and will be the optimum launch solution for commercial and institutional customers for the next few decades. This new launcher – developed by ArianeGroup and its European industrial partners – combines proven solutions with innovation to address the changing needs of the global space market, allied with the unparalleled reliability of the Ariane family.