NWO-I

Institutes Organisation of NWO

ESTEC-ESA

SRON

The European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk is the technical heart of the European Space Agency (ESA). This is where European space missions are designed and tested. As a permanent partner in developing the scientific instruments aboard satellites, NWO institute SRON plays a key role in this work.

The ESTEC building in Noordwijk, seen from above
ESTEC in Noordwijk. Credits SRON

Facilities and Research

The Netherlands is home to ESTEC, the largest site and the technical heart of ESA. Space missions are developed from start to finish in Noordwijk. The complex on the Dutch coast is a complete technological ecosystem. 

The Concurrent Design Facility drafts mission concepts, after which specialised laboratories develop the necessary technology. The Erasmus Centre, equipped with replicas of the international space station, focuses entirely on human spaceflight and user support. Newly developed satellites undergo their final tests at the Test Centre. Vibration tables and vacuum chambers such as in the Large Space Simulator are used to reproduce the extreme conditions of a launch and the vacuum of space. This ensures the equipment is capable of surviving a space mission.

New Impression of the Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics (NewAthena)
New Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics (NewAthena). Credits SRON

Collaboration

ESA is a collaboration between 23 European Member States, including co-founder The Netherlands; Canada also participates as a special partner. Pooling expertise and budgets enables the members to execute joint missions that are infeasible for individual countries. 
Through a system of mandatory contributions to scientific programmes and investments in optional projects, the member states jointly ensure Europe’s autonomy in space. As ESTEC host country, the Netherlands holds a special position in this regard. NWO institute SRON serves as the national expertise centre that coordinates the Dutch contributions to missions.

The strategic direction and the allocation of the multi billion euro budgets are determined at the triennial Ministerial Conference. SRON’s input is crucial to the Netherlands’ negotiating position. The director of SRON serves as an adviser to the Dutch government—particularly the Minister of Economic Affairs—and supports the delegation in making strategic investment decisions for participation in new space missions.
ESA works together with companies and research institutes such as SRON.

More information

Would you like to find out more about ESTEC, its research, space missions and on site facilities? Ten visit the ESTEC-website. You can find more information about the institute SRON on the SRON website.