The space cluster in the Netherlands is mainly situated in the province of Zuid-Holland. With a population of 3.5 milion, the cities of The Hague, Rotterdam (Port of Rotterdam), Delft and Leiden, the region produces 20.9% of the total GDP of the Netherlands.
In Zuid-Holland, there is a concentration of space-related activities involving institutes such as TU Delft and TNO in Delft, Leiden University and the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), the largest site and the technical heart of ESA, and the Galileo Reference Centre in Noordwijk. An estimated 60 space companies are located in the vicinity of these institutes, including various space and space-related downstream companies providing more than 4,000 direct jobs (including ESA / ESTEC).
Due to the strong ambitions of current players, the arrival of new players and the development of new applications, the sector expects to grow by 8% per year. The sector’s ambition is to double the total volume of regional space activities in 20 years, assuming a stable size for ESA / ESTEC.
Research and Innovation facilities
- TU Delft: Faculty of Aerospace Engineering (largest in Europe)
- ESA / ESTEC: Largest ESA location in Europe (since 1968)
- TNO Space: Institute for Space Sciences
- Leiden University: International Air & Space Law Institute (1 out of 3 in the world)
- Galileo Reference Centre (GRC) (opening in 2017)
Areas of top expertise
- Satelite Communication Systems
- Nano-Satellites
- International Space Law
- Earth Observation
- New materials and composites
World-class Business facilities
- Noordwijk: Space Business Park (ESA/ ESTEC, SBIC)
- TU Delft Science Park (Yes! Delft)
- Leiden: Airbus Defense & Space
