NWO Institute SRON: Space Research Organisation Netherlands
SRON is the Dutch institute for space research. It develops sensing technology and space instruments for research into the universe and Earth's atmosphere. As a national expertise institute, SRON advises the Dutch government and coordinates -- from a scientific point of view -- national contributions to international space missions. SRON's scientific programme focuses on the evolution and history of the universe, climate change and air quality on Earth, the atmospheres of exoplanets and the development of detection technology.
Space instrumentation
SRON develops measurement instruments for space missions by NASA, ESA and others. With these, SRON scientists study the universe in X-rays and infrared radiation to learn about, for instance, black holes and the nurseries of stars. They also investigate the atmospheres of planets outside our solar system, looking for signs of extraterrestrial life. You can also look down from space, which provides an important asset in the fight against climate change. For instance, SRON researchers monitor methane and particulate matter in the Earth's atmosphere with their space instruments.
History
In 1961, one of SRON's predecessors was founded: the Utrecht Laboratory for Space Research (LRO). In 1983, LRO merged with institutes from Groningen and Leiden to become Stichting Ruimteonderzoek Nederland (SRON). In March 2025, the institute changed its name from SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research to SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands.
Background article
Highlight SRON: relocation from Utrecht to Leiden completed (Inside NWO-I, December 2021)
Location
Leiden and Groningen
Director SRON
Prof. dr. Michael Wise