Ireland is set to launch its first ever space satellite, the Dáil heard on Tuesday night during the official Oireachtas debate on the Outer Space Treaty.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar spoke and hailed the introduction of a Bill that called for the Dáil to back the country’s ratification of a treaty that sets the rules on space exploration.
However, there was some criticism on the floor of the Dáil during speeches, with People Before Profit TD, Richard Boyd Barrett, saying: “it’s hard to resist saying during this debate that this government is living on a different planet.”
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This is the third time we have signed up to the international agreement, which was first introduced in 1967, at the height of the international space race.
Mr Varadkar said he was “excited” to be talking about space legislation in the Dáil.
He said: “The Treaty itself dates back to a radically different time – when space exploration was in its infancy, and the race was underway to put the first man on the moon.
“Its core aims, however, are as relevant today as they ever were.
“The Treaty states that international responsibility for missions lies with the jurisdiction which launches them.
“It prohibits nuclear weapons in space and limits the use of the moon and all other celestial bodies to peaceful purposes.
“No country can claim sovereignty over a celestial body or establish military bases on them. Exploration is open to all signatories.
“It requires that astronauts be treated as envoys of mankind.”
Mr Varadkar added: “To date, Ireland is the only ESA (European Space Agency) member which has not launched a satellite.
“But we are about to take that first foray into outer space.
“It’s a big moment and an exciting one.
“The ESA is covering the cost of the launch, with free access to their test facilities.”
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