en.Wedoany.com Reported - Dublin-based startup Lios has renewed its contract with the European Space Agency for the second time. Under the new agreement, nearly €2 million in co-funding will support the promotion of the company's cutting-edge acoustic material, SoundBounce, which is included in the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme as a Fairing Acoustic Protection (FAP) product for spaceflight.

Lios was founded in 2009 by Rhona Togher and Eimear O’Carroll under the name Restored Hearing, initially focusing on the development of hearing protection materials. In 2018, the company won the JEC Composites Startup Booster Award; it rebranded as Lios in 2020 and expanded its patented technology into broader international markets, including aerospace.

The Future Launchers Preparatory Programme aims to help European industry develop the technologies, systems, and collaborative resources needed for a modular, reusable, and commercially viable space transportation ecosystem. Lios is collaborating with two major European aerospace manufacturers on this project. Noise and vibration generated by rocket engines can easily damage sensitive and expensive payloads, such as satellites, during launch and separation phases. SoundBounce improves the acoustic environment within the launch vehicle fairing—the nose cone that protects the satellite on its journey into orbit—thereby reducing satellite weight while ensuring payload safety.

Since beginning its collaboration with ESA as part of this programme in 2021, Lios has increased satellite weight reduction by 50%. This third-phase contract, spanning two years, focuses on scaling up the production of SoundBounce panels and conducting flight qualification testing for extreme space environments.

Rhona Togher, CEO of Lios, said: "The acoustic materials industry is at a turning point. SoundBounce offers a competitive advantage that traditional materials cannot match. With this new technology, we can solve complex noise problems for customers in aerospace, construction, appliances, and other sectors. We are delighted to continue our collaboration with ESA and look forward to the day SoundBounce travels into space aboard a European launch vehicle."

Barry Jennings, National Delegate to ESA for Enterprise Ireland, commented: "This is a significant achievement for Lios and another positive development in Ireland's growing presence in the European space sector. The Irish delegation to ESA is pleased to support Lios's continued progress through FLPP and wishes the team every success as SoundBounce moves towards its first flight aboard a European launch vehicle."

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