en.Wedoany.com Reported - Irish composites company ÉireComposites has manufactured three precision carbon fiber stray light baffles for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Earth observation satellite ALTIUS. These baffles will form part of the satellite's high-performance optical instrument, and the company states they are the first external satellite components and the largest functional space hardware manufactured in Ireland to be launched into space.

Stray light baffles are used to protect satellite instruments from interference by stray light outside the field of view. Incident light enters the instrument through a periscope system, enabling high-precision atmospheric measurements. These baffles require extremely precise manufacturing and finishing processes to meet the demanding performance standards of space-based optical systems, helping to ensure the instrument provides the high-quality data needed to achieve the mission's scientific objectives.

ALTIUS, short for "Atmospheric Limb Tracker for Investigation of the Upcoming Stratosphere," is an Earth observation satellite that monitors ozone and other trace gases in the upper atmosphere. The mission carries a high-resolution spectral imager that uses limb sounding techniques to provide vertical profiles of ozone and other atmospheric gases, supporting weather forecasting and long-term climate monitoring. Monitoring ozone levels is crucial for understanding changes in Earth's atmosphere and protecting life on the planet.

The ALTIUS mission is being developed under ESA's "Earth Watch" program, primarily funded by Belgium, with support from Canada, Luxembourg, and Romania. The satellite is scheduled to launch in 2028 from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

This project builds on the long-term collaboration between ÉireComposites and ESA, and is supported by Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta, reflecting the company's continued investment in advanced materials and precision manufacturing to support the global space industry. This work also highlights Ireland's growing role in the international space sector.