The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Arralis a significant contract to deliver radar chipsets for use in space. The company, based in Limerick, Ireland designs and manufactures high frequency semiconductor chips, modules and antennas up to and beyond 110 GHz. Under the contract Arralis will deliver a 94 GHz radar chipset with space end-use applications, such as unmanned landing of spacecraft and to identify and avoid space debris.
Welcoming the announcement Damien English T.D., Irish Minister for Skills, Research & Innovation said, "I wish to congratulate Arralis on its success in winning this highly strategic development contract from the European Space Agency. Arralis is another example of an Irish company developing a highly innovative technology for the European space programme. The technology also has potential for use by the commercial space and aerospace market with the support of ESA. I wish Arralis every success in its space endeavours and in its future growth."
Previous radar systems used by international space agencies worked well when being controlled by an astronaut to guide the craft onto a suitable site; however, remote planetary landings have been difficult and prone to failure. The 94 GHz radar system, developed by Arralis, can be used to identify dangerous landing zones with the identification of small objects, such as rocks, which may cause damage to the spacecraft.
Speaking on the announcement of the ESA contract, Barry Lunn, CEO of Arralis said, “We see this contract as a real endorsement of our unique engineering expertise and the success of our design team to date, at previously unattainable frequencies. The most exciting aspect of this contract for us is that ESA’s very experienced millimetre-wave group will work with us throughout the delivery process. Their experience in bringing MMICs through to space qualification is invaluable and since kick off it’s been obvious that both sides are enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead.”
Bryan Rodgers, Enterprise Ireland said that Arralis is, “one of a growing number of Irish technology companies securing ESA contracts in 2014 with the active support of Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The total number of Irish companies currently, or recently, active in ESA programmes is almost 50 and growing, with over 80 Irish companies having secured ESA contracts in the past 10 years”.