The Dutch Space Programme

Space policy in the Netherlands is primarily focused on international cooperation in European contexts within the European Space Agency, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and the European Union. The Netherlands also has a national programme guided by the ministries of Economic Affairs, of Education, Culture and Science, and of Traffic, Public Works and Water Management.

Guiding factors:

Strategic importance – the development of knowledge and top technology in the Netherlands in order to strengthen the position of Dutch priorities on the international playing field
Programmatic importance – the creation of balance between one of a kind and recurring activities for industry via various Dutch priority activities within ESA programmes
Practical importance – the use of satellite data to create solutions for social issues of importance in the Netherlands

The NSO coordinates the implementation of the national programme, stimulates the sharing and use of information in international cooperation and creates visibility to bring the general public a better understanding of Dutch space efforts. In this way we provide the space community of the Netherlands with a foundation for strengthening their position in the European market.