Arralis awarded multi-system radar contract from the European Space Agency
January 25, 2016
Today, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD was on hand to observe the signing of a significant European Space Agency contract awarded to Arralis, a technology company servicing the aerospace sector, founded and based in Limerick. The contract signing took place during the Enterprise Ireland Trade and Investment Mission to Netherland and Germany and is an extension of previous work for the agency, where Arralis successfully delivered their world beating semiconductor technology.
Arralis designs and manufactures high frequency semiconductor chips, modules and antennas up to and beyond 110GHz. As part of this contract Arralis will deliver a series of 94GHz subsystems with space end-use applications, such as massive data rate satellite to satellite communications and unmanned landing of spacecraft.
Speaking from the European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands, An Taoiseach said, “We are seeing a steady increase in the number of companies in Ireland engaging with ESA in developing technologies for the global space market with the active support of Enterprise Ireland. ESA is at the heart of Europe’s space ambitions and it is inspiring to see Irish companies like Arralis contribute to the new technologies that are in demand by the space industry and which form the foundations of European Space programmes now and in the future”.
The 94GHz communications system developed, by Arralis, will allow future spacecraft to communicate at speeds that to date, have been unattainable. The explosion in data gathering by space probes, including high resolution imagery and video, has created a requirement for massive wireless data rate communications. With 3.17 billion worldwide data hungry internet users, demand is also steadily increasing for improved access. Back on earth wireless data speeds of 15Gbit/s over distances of 10- 15km will be made possible using the 94GHz high speed communications infrastructure. While in radar operation, the system can be used to identify dangerous landing zones avoiding small objects, such as rocks, which may cause damage to the spacecraft.
Speaking at the announcement in ESTEC, Barry Lunn, CEO of Arralis said, “We have been working with the European Space Agency for some time and are delighted to get to deliver the world leading technology in the presence of An Taoiseach. This type of communications technology is the future of 5G, so today it’s ESA but eventually everyone will benefit from this infrastructure. That is what makes government support for ESA programs so important, so Irish SME’s can tackle the big technology advances”.
The announcement of this contract comes on the back of a number of successes for Arralis. Outside of ESA success; 2015 saw the company win significant contracts in the UK, South Korea, China and Russia for their radar technology. Arralis also announced multiple contracts from the UK Ministry of Defence for delivery of unique geolocation technology. The company secured over €1.2m in European Commission H2020 support. This success lead to awards from the Irish Exporter Association and Limerick Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the company’s fast growth.
Speaking from Amsterdam, Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said: “During our recent Trade Mission to China, Arralis signed two contracts worth €1.45 million and I am delighted to see their continued success here today. The global market for space systems and space related services and applications is rapidly evolving – Arralis is a great example of the type of innovative Irish company with whom we are working to develop new technologies and we will continue to work with them to support their international growth which ultimately benefits job creation at home in Ireland”.