The NSO and ESA

In Europe most collaborative space efforts are united by the European Space Agency. ESA focuses on the development and building of launch vehicles, spacecraft for scientific and operational applications and technology development.

Technology applications take place in astrophysics planetary exploration, Earth observation, weightlessness research, manned spaceflight and on the International Space Station.

ESA also supports the satellite navigation programme GNSS as well as commercial developments for TeleCom and SatCom. Every member state (17 European states and Canada) contribute to the compulsory programmes in proportion to their gross national product. Member states participate in voluntary programmes based on their national interests. Out of the entire budget for space in the Netherlands, about 70% goes to ESA.

Participating countries are granted industrial work in direct proportion to their financial contribution. The quantitative contribution of the Netherlands is small, but the quality of influence and visibility is comparably large.

For every programme, ESA has a Programm Board where participating countries are represented. The NSO represents the Netherlands in these ESA Program Boards and Dutch interests find their primary outlet embodied by the NSO within these boards.

Also essential to the collaboration between the NSO and ESA is gathering information as a foundation for advising parties within the space field about strategic direction and level of participation. Carefully coordinating the multi-faceted programme participation with each other ensures added value for Dutch contributions. Organizing and creating networks builds a foundation for collaboration and cooperation between space parties with varying priorities both within and external to the Netherlands.

Calendar of ESA meetings