This Tipperary school have a message for past pupil on the team launching Ireland's first satellite

Ireland’s first satellite is to be launched into orbit this evening and one member of the team has a connection to Tipperary.

Chief engineer Dr Joe Thompson is a former student at Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré.

Students and staff at Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré had this message for Dr Thompson

“We would like to send our best wishes to past pupil Dr Joe Thompson (Chief Engineer) and all his colleagues at UCD as they prepare to launch Ireland's first-ever satellite, EIR SAT-1, tomorrow evening (Friday, December 1) from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

"This is a hugely historic occasion, not just for Joe and his team but for our country.

"Our students and staff are looking forward to tuning in to watch the launch live on the European Space Agency’s Youtube Page and TV Channel."

DR JOE THOMPSON

Dr Joe Thompson is now a postdoctoral researcher at the Dynamics and Control group and his research is in the ADCS (Attitude Determination and Control System) for EIRSAT-1. 

EIRSAT-1 stands for Educational Irish Research Satellite and is a 2U CubeSat that has been in the works since 2017.

The EIRSAT-1 was built by students at University of College Dublin under the supervision of academic and professional staff and the education office of the European Space Agency.

It is to carry three experiments, designed and manufactured at UCD, into the earth's orbit.

The satellite will be launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 6pm (GMT) today. 

Ireland is not known for space exploration, but according to the European Space Agency, this project aims to change that. 

According to the ESA website: 

As the first Irish satellite, EIRSAT-1 aims to build on the extensive Irish space industry and ensure that there are students trained to continue to grow Ireland’s presence in space."

You can watch the launch live from the ESA YouTube Channel.