Minister for Research & Innovation, Mr. Sean Sherlock T.D., today [Thursday] announced that Dublin based AMPAC-ISP Europe is to develop the next generation of rocket engine technologies to be used for future space exploration missions by the European Space Agency (ESA).
Under the recently agreed contract, which has an initial value of €2million split between the Irish and UK divisions of Ampac, AMPAC-ISP will develop new processes, materials and technologies to improve the performance of liquid apogee engines used in spacecraft orbit insertion and other in-space propulsion manoeuvres.
AMPAC-ISP is a world leader in the development and supply of propulsion systems, fluid control components and launch vehicle structural components. With the support of Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and the European Space Agency, the company’s European headquarters in Dublin has seen significant growth in employment - from 17 in 2008 to 35 in 2011. These positions include propulsion engineering, product assurance, manufacturing technology and business development. AMPAC-ISP is projecting further growth and expects to recruit an additional 15 highly qualified personnel in the next 2 years.
Congratulating AMPAC-ISP, Minister Sherlock said:
"AMPAC-ISP Dublin is a prime example of how the Government’s national space strategy supports Irish technology companies to develop innovative, high performance and high reliability technologies for the commercial space market. It is a significant achievement for AMPAC-ISP to win this contract and I am delighted to see that their success will lead to a recruitment drive over the next 2 years".
"Ireland’s membership of the ESA has helped over 70 Irish firms to secure contracts worth more than €70 million in the past decade. The level of export sales from Irish investment in ESA is estimated at €35 million in 2010 and is projected to grow to €96 million by 2014 as the number of Irish companies securing ESA contract continues to expand, and as existing Irish ESA contractors progress from intensive R&D phase to commercial exploitation phase", Minister Sherlock added."
As part of the Irish work-scope, a subcontract valued at €125K has been place with Engineering Solutions International Limited (ESIL) of Kinsealy for specialist computation fluid dynamics.
Enterprise Ireland has supported the companies’ participation in the European Space programme and assisted with the bid for ESA contracts.
David Gibbons, Managing Director of AMPAC-ISP Europe said: "We are very pleased to continue our long working relationship with ESA, developing state-of-the-art solutions for critical mission applications. Our success in winning the ESA program is a clear indication of the confidence in Irish capabilities and provides another opportunity for growth in the coming years."