• News & Events News

AMBER at ESA Phi Lab Ireland Launch

16 February 2026

AMBER’s Executive Director Lorraine Byrne, Colm McAtamney and Claire McKenna were delighted to attend the official launch of Ireland’s first Phi‑Lab, the new centre will focus on advanced materials and hardware that can support future space missions as well as commercial applications on Earth. AMBER is a partner in the Irish ESA Phi-Lab along with Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR).

Dietmar Pilz, Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality and Head of ESA ESTEC, and Philip Thomas Head of the ESA Scale Up Programme Division launched the Phi-Lab which included contributions from Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Alan Dillon TD, Minister of State for Employment, Small Businesses and Retail & Circular Economy, with additional support from Barry Kennedy, CEO of IMR, and Enterprise Ireland.

Two companies, MBRYONICS and Ubotica Technologies, have already been selected through the first Open Call, and more opportunities will follow.

Coverage of the launch today by RTE

Collaborate with AMBER

AMBER has a strong emphasis on collaboration. Central to AMBER’s research remit are collaborative projects performed with industry partners, and working with academic, industry and wider stakeholder on international and national research programmes.

Get in touch