Major Projects
Ariane 6 Maiden Flight
Réaltra’s Video Kit Telemetry System and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver launched from French Guiana as part of the successful Ariane 6 launch in 2024. Réaltra’s six cameras provided the live HD video telemetry during all phases of the launcher mission.
The GNSS receiver flew as an autonomous experimental system on this first launch of Ariane 6, validating its functionality in space at high velocities.
James Webb Space Telescope Launch
The Christmas Day 2021 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope was captured by Réaltra cameras on board the Ariane 5 rocket. The Réaltra team designed and built the Independent Video Telemetry Kit for this historic mission.
“It was wonderful to see the successful launch… with images of the spacecraft starting its long journey streamed back to Earth by Irish technology and relayed around the world.”
– Damien English TD, Irish Minister for Space
Artificial Intelligence for Future Space Vehicles
In 2023, ESA selected Réaltra to help develop Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning technology for future launchers and satellites. We are now leading a project to accelerate Failure Detection Isolation and Recovery and prognostics in space vehicles. “On-board AI will soon be a requirement for satellite missions to enable levels of autonomy never before seen,” says Dr. James Murphy, Réaltra’s Space Software and AI Engineer.
National Space Subsystems and Payload Initiative
Réaltra is co-leading the autonomous smart satellites development activity as part of a €7.9 million Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) space project.
Funded by the Irish government and led by University College Dublin, the project will help develop an economically sustainable and expanding space industry while gaining ground in important technological and research areas.
European Space Agency’s PLATO Mission
In 2018, Réaltra was contracted by German space company OHB System AG to design, develop and deliver the Payload Interface Unit for ESA’s PLATO mission, scheduled for launch in 2026.
The Payload Interface Unit will be the largest space electronics hardware contribution and was at the time the largest ever single contract awarded to an Irish company for an ESA Science mission. The unit will provide high stability thermal control for the telescopes on the PLATO spacecraft as they seek to determine how our Universe was formed, and whether life exists outside of our own solar system.
