Pictured (l-r): Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO National Space Centre Ltd (NSC); Holly Sullivan, VP of Worldwide Economic Development at Amazon, Micheál Martin TD, An Taoiseach, Cat DeLeonardis, Director, Project Kuiper at Amazon
Cork – 6th October 6, 2025: National Space Centre Ltd (NSC) joined Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Taoiseach Micheál Martin to mark the regulatory approval of a satellite earth station that will allow Project Kuiper to operate a gateway at NSC’s Elfordstown facility in Midleton, Cork. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has granted permission for operations within the 18 GHz and 28 GHz frequency bands, enabling the delivery of Project Kuiper’s satellite broadband services to Ireland.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined representatives from the NSC and Amazon at the Elfordstown facility for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion. “Today’s announcement represents an exciting step in Ireland’s growing role in the global space economy,” said Taoiseach Micheál Martin. “This approval aligns perfectly with our National Digital Strategy to ensure Ireland remains a leader in technology, with high-speed connectivity in every corner of our country by 2028. We welcome this partnership between the National Space Centre and Project Kuiper and look forward to the positive impact this will have.”
Amazon’s Project Kuiper is an advanced satellite communications network aiming to provide fast, reliable internet to customers and communities around the world. The gateway station at the NSC is one of hundreds of sites being installed globally, and the newly granted license allows Project Kuiper to operate the site, which in turn helps enable the delivery of broadband services to customers in Ireland.
“National Space Centre is proud to partner with Amazon to deliver Project Kuiper in Ireland. This collaboration highlights Elfordstown’s role as a hub for cutting-edge satellite communications and strengthens Ireland’s position in the global space sector,” said Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO of National Space Centre.
Project Kuiper will roll out to select government and business customers later this year as part of a commercial beta and will roll out more widely next year as it adds coverage and capacity to the network. Ireland will be among the first countries in Europe to receive general service. When Project Kuiper launches in Ireland, its low-latency, high-bandwidth satellite network will significantly improve the quality and reliability of broadband services for those in rural and remote communities across the country.
To achieve its goals, Project Kuiper is deploying thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit —connected to each other by high-speed optical links that will create a mesh network in space—and linked to a global network of antennas, fibre, and internet connection points on the ground, including the gateway at NSC’s Elfordstown facility in Midleton, Cork.
The initial satellite constellation will include more than 3,200 satellites, which began deploying in April 2025 with its first operational launch. There are currently 129 Kuiper satellites in orbit, after 5 successful launches, and Amazon is continuing to increase its production, processing and launch rates ahead of an initial service rollout.
A recent economic impact study conducted by Oxford Economics highlighted the significant contribution Project Kuiper is making to the European space economy. The report found that Project Kuiper’s investments in the EU will contribute €2.8 billion to GDP over the next decade and support an average of 3,270 jobs annually across the region. In Ireland specifically, the gateway operation at the NSC represents an important addition to the country’s growing space sector, which has been identified as a strategic area for economic development.
“It’s never been more important for people to have access to high-speed, low-latency internet, and Project Kuiper will play an important role in connecting those beyond the reach of existing networks. We’re proud to do our part to help connect customers and communities across the country and thankful for the support of ComReg, the Irish government, and our partners at the National Space Centre in making this possible,” said Alison Dunn, Ireland country manager at Amazon.
The Oxford Economics study also found that Project Kuiper’s partnerships span multiple European countries, with approximately 26% of Amazon’s publicly announced investments in Project Kuiper being directed toward the EU space sector. This includes collaborations with more than 20 European companies across the space industry value chain, from launch services and satellite manufacturing to ground infrastructure partners like the NSC.
NSC’s 10-acre campus at Elfordstown has been providing commercial satellite services since 2010, serving as a vital hub for Ireland’s growing space industry. The addition of Project Kuiper’s gateway further establishes the facility as a center of excellence for satellite communications in Europe.
The announcement comes during Irish Space Week (October 4-10, 2025), highlighting the growing importance of the space sector to Ireland’s economy and technological development.
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