Airspace Restrictions for rocket launch in Laois

A temporary airspace restriction is in place in Laois as rockets are set to be launched in Emo this afternoon.

The rocket launch is part of the national final of the CanSat Ireland competition, a STEM competition that sees students compete to create miniature satellites the size of soft drink cans before being flown on the rockets at the national final.

Teams of school students are competing to design, build and test a mini-satellite or CanSat to give them their first practical experience of a real space project.

The CanSats will be deployed at a height of 350 metres before descending under parachutes.

While descending, the CanSats perform scientific experiments as prepared by the teams, and they will receive data from the CanSats via radio transmitters as they descend.

The competition is run by the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO) and Science Foundation Ireland, with MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory acting as coordinators.

The CanSat competition is initially run regionally at Technological Universities across the country. This year’s Regional finalists are from Westmeath, Kerry, Cork and Dublin.

The schools include Marist College, Athlone Community College, Mercy Mounthawk School Tralee, Presentation Brothers College, and Ratoath College.

The students are primarily TY students, but some are in 5th and 6th year as well.

To facilitate the launch, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has announced a flight restriction notice in the vicinity of Emo, County Laois.

The airspace restrictions are a safety measure given the rockets can reach an altitude of 350m.

Organisers said it’s unlikely a commercial aircraft would have to worry about such a low ceiling height rocket.

“Safety is always paramount with these events, and regulations are in place for the safety of everyone involved. This is particularly relevant in our case given the nearby airstrip in Portlaoise.”

The temporary restriction on aircraft and rockets, including drones, will be in place, from 10am to 7pm on Thursday and Friday.

In its safety notice, the IAA said the Temporary Restricted Area is; “to support a planned small civilian rocket launch whilst ensuring the safety of air traffic operating in the vicinity of Emo, County Laois in the period cited.”

The competition has two parts – The Launch today and team presentations of students missions tomorrow, with the winners being announced shortly after.