An Irishman is spearheading the development of the world's most colossal telescope ever constructed. This groundbreaking project, known as the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), is already about 70% completed in the stunning Andes Mountains of Chile.
Leading this ambitious endeavor is Professor Tom Ray, who serves as the president of the European Southern Observatory (ESO)—the organization responsible for building the ELT. "What we're dealing with here is a massive mirror measuring 40 meters in diameter," he shared during an interview on RTÉ's This Week.
To give you an idea of its scale, he likened the telescope's dome to the size of the iconic Colosseum in Rome; not only is it comparable in width, but it's even taller!
The ELT is projected to be finished by 2028, with an estimated cost of €1.5 billion. "It's truly enormous compared to any other telescope that has been constructed up to this point," he remarked.
With the capabilities of the ELT, astronomers will have the opportunity to capture images of Earth-sized planets orbiting nearby stars and even analyze their atmospheres.
"Our goal is to detect any signs of life or oxygen on these planets, elements that could indicate the potential for life," he emphasized, underlining the telescope’s significance in the search for extraterrestrial existence.
Since becoming a member of the ESO in 2019, Ireland has made substantial contributions to the ELT project, according to Prof Ray. For instance, the University of Galway is actively engaged in developing adaptive optics technology, which employs lasers to enhance the clarity of astronomical images captured by telescopes.
Ireland's Emerging Role in Space Exploration
Prominent scientists in Ireland assert that the country is gaining momentum in the realm of space exploration, leading to the creation of numerous jobs and opportunities. In 2025, Ireland successfully executed its inaugural satellite mission.
This year also saw Belfast-born astronaut Dr. Rosemary Coogan become a European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, thanks to funding from the UK government. Furthermore, Norah Patten is anticipated to embark on a commercial space flight in 2027.
In March 2025, Ireland expanded its scientific endeavors by joining CERN, the esteemed European Organization for Nuclear Research. Scientists from Galway will be among the first to utilize the ELT when it becomes operational. They are collaborating on exoplanet research with Italian scientists, and earlier this year, they discovered the planet WISPIT 2b, located approximately 430 light-years away from Earth.
EIRSAT-1: Ireland's Maiden Satellite
Ireland's first satellite, EIRSAT-1, was successfully launched in January 2023, completing its mission and re-entering Earth's atmosphere in September 2025. Leading this mission was Professor Lorraine Hanlon, an astronomy expert and director of UCD's Centre for Space Research.
"We tested all the technology we developed, taking it from our lab to a fully functional space instrument," Prof Hanlon explained during her appearance on RTÉ's This Week. "Demonstrating that our technology was successful shows we can utilize it not just for small satellites, but as foundational elements for constructing larger, more powerful instruments in the future."
During the mission, Prof Hanlon's team detected 12 gamma-ray bursts and several solar flares using EIRSAT-1, marking significant contributions to space science.
Investment in Ireland's Space Initiatives
Interestingly, unlike many other ESA member countries, Ireland lacks an independent space agency; instead, its space program is managed by Enterprise Ireland.
Prof Hanlon noted that while Ireland has functioned without a dedicated space agency so far, the argument for establishing some form of coordinating body to oversee education, research, industry, and innovation is becoming increasingly valid.
Although Ireland's financial investment in the ESA is relatively modest compared to other nations, it reportedly yields a return of approximately seven times the initial investment. In 2025, Ireland's total contribution to the ESA amounted to €26 million, and at least 116 Irish companies are currently contracted with the ESA.
Membership in organizations such as ESA, ESO, and CERN has enabled many Irish businesses and educational institutions to engage in innovative projects. Prof Hanlon asserts that these memberships justify their costs, as they allow Irish scientists to participate in collaborations that shape critical experiments and identify pressing scientific challenges.
For example, Munster Technological University has already partnered on a scientific experiment with CERN. Meanwhile, the ESA is set to launch the PLATO mission this year, focusing on identifying planets around other stars, with technology developed by the Irish company Réaltra. Another Irish firm, InnaLabs, contributes its technology to the ESA mission HERA, expected to reach the Didymos asteroid system by late 2026.
At UCD, another ambitious satellite initiative, GIFTS—a 6U CubeSat aimed at detecting and localizing gamma-ray bursts—is currently underway. Additionally, a project called Aerial, which is funded by both ESA and ESO, also features Irish involvement.
Prof Ray elaborated on Aerial's objectives: "This project aims to analyze thousands of planets and their atmospheres from space. We are participating in developing and testing several components, which must undergo testing at extremely low temperatures, around minus 230 degrees Celsius, simulating conditions in outer space.
He further noted the impressive work being done by Irish scientists in the field of space exploration, highlighting the valuable training that students, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD holders receive through their engagements with the European Space Agency and the European Southern Observatory.
"I’ve supervised 30 PhD students, and none of them are currently jobless; they are quickly recruited into various positions," he proudly stated.
