News item | 02-10-2023 | 11:30
Space technology has broad applications, provides more than 10,000 jobs in the Netherlands and is necessary for sustainability and digitalization ambitions. In addition to the 500 million euros in public space investments up to and including 2025, the government has therefore released an additional 22.2 million euros to improve the business climate of the NL Space Campus around Noordwijk. The contribution goes towards the modernization of ESTEC, the technological headquarters of the European Space Agency. Minister Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate) has informed the House of Representatives about this in a letter.
“The Netherlands would like to further expand the strong international position of our space sector. It provides jobs and income and is important for regional suppliers. But above all, space travel is the birthplace of everyday innovative technology such as fast, secure data exchange, navigation systems and both measuring and tackling emissions. That is why I am investing extra in this, so that our entrepreneurs and researchers can participate,” said Minister Micky Adriaansens (EZK).
ESTEC generates approximately 500 million euros in expenditure annually and is therefore an investment magnet in the Netherlands for foreign space companies. With approximately 2,800 employees, it is also one of the largest public research and development centers in the Netherlands. Because European public space budgets are expected to continue to increase, ESTEC will also continue to grow. The Netherlands uses these innovation opportunities from ESTEC to further strengthen the business climate in the Netherlands NL Space Campus in Noordwijk where startups, researchers, students and SME suppliers work together.
The Netherlands will participate in the Artemis agreements
Minister Adriaansens also announces that the Netherlands will implement the so-called Artemis chords will sign. These international agreements were established by the United States to promote transparency and accountability among countries in the exploration and exploitation of the moon and other celestial bodies. It also involves sharing scientific data, granting rights for the use of natural resources in space and reducing space debris.
The US has now started doing it Artemis program which should allow astronauts to return to the moon in the short term, also in preparation for a future manned mission to Mars. Europe contributes technology to this program through the European Space Agency (ESA), such as the European Service Module (ESM) for the Orion moon capsule. Builds for this Airbus Netherlands the solar panels.