In a groundbreaking move for Ireland’s budding space industry, SUAS Aerospace, an Irish aerospace company based in Cork, has teamed up with T-Minus Engineering from the Netherlands to launch the Pathfinder mission in late 2025. This mission, poised to be Ireland’s first commercial rocket launch, sets a new course for the country and positions Ireland as an emerging force in Europe’s space sector.
Ireland’s west coast will host the Pathfinder launch, a strategic choice due to its cost-effectiveness, easy access by sea and air, and expansive safety zone over the Atlantic. By leveraging this site, Pathfinder aims to make Ireland a competitive alternative for commercial rocket launches. For Europe, this venture supports the EU’s ambition for greater sovereignty in space, creating a European alternative to existing launch sites, which have historically been limited to French Guiana in South America.
The partnership between SUAS Aerospace and T-Minus Engineering combines critical expertise. T-Minus Engineering, Europe’s leading rocket launch company, will provide propulsion technology, onboard electronics, and launch operations management. With a proven history of rocket launches from locations as diverse as Australia, Scandinavia, and the UK, T-Minus brings invaluable experience. Meanwhile, SUAS Aerospace will handle the intricate logistics required for a launch of this magnitude, including site acquisition, licensing, and regulatory compliance. Together, the companies are laying the groundwork for a new era of European launch capabilities.
For SUAS Aerospace, Pathfinder is more than a commercial endeavor—it’s a national milestone. Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO of SUAS Aerospace, highlighted the mission’s impact on Ireland’s economy and its potential to create jobs and enhance the country’s technological standing. “By partnering with T-Minus, we are ensuring the Pathfinder launch meets the highest safety standards and regulatory requirements, paving the way for future space activities,” he said.
Hein Olthof, CEO of T-Minus Engineering, emphasized the advantages of expanding launch operations to Ireland, describing it as a promising addition to Europe’s space launch network. “The Pathfinder project presents a unique solution and will support our expansion across Europe. We are confident that our collaboration with SUAS Aerospace will lead to innovative and successful projects, fuelling the growth of Europe’s space capabilities,” Olthof said.
This launch also brings momentum for Ireland’s space industry infrastructure. Enterprise Ireland has invested €1.1 million in SUAS Aerospace since its inception in 2019. SUAS has also joined forces with notable partners like Skyrora and Pangea Aerospace and is part of a €5 million Horizon Europe consortium grant focused on developing interoperable rocket engine testing infrastructure.
By establishing this launch capability on the west coast, Pathfinder highlights Ireland’s potential as a gateway to low Earth orbits, promising to attract global attention and state support. The Irish space launch industry, with SUAS and T-Minus at the helm, is ready to mark its presence on the European stage.
Source:SUAS Aerospace