Say whaaaat?

Ireland has pledged to give €90m to the European Space Agency (ESA) over the next five years.

At a meeting of the organisations ministerial council in Switzerland, the Government has promised €18m a year, which will assist in the expansion of the space sector in Ireland.

The money will also go towards Earth observation, satellite communications, satellite navigation and various generation launchers.

In total, the ESA is looking for €11bn in funding commitments to ensure missions such as ExoMars will continue.

According to RTÉ, the space sector in Ireland is rapidly growing, with 80 new companies set to come to Ireland by the end of the decade.