NL Space Week 2026 will take place from 26 September to 4 October. As the initiative continues to grow, it is evolving into a broader, sector-wide effort. The 2026 edition reflects this shift, with increased involvement from partners across the Dutch space ecosystem. 
Next partner meeting: 11 June at Cometlab
The 2026 Edition started with a partner kick-off meeting on 24 March at ESA ESTEC Noordwijk, attended by more than thirty representatives and initiatives from the space sector. In partner meetings, the already known upcoming events are shared, branding and materials are shared, ideas are shared by partners, and the partner can network to find potential collaborations under the flag of NL Space Week. The next partner meeting is scheduled for 11 June at Cometlab, Noordwijk. Anyone connected to the space sector with the intention of participation in this programme and interested in joining the partner meeting can get in touch via spaceweek@nlspaceweek.eu using the subject line: ‘NL Space Week Partner Meeting | 11 June 2026’.”
What is NL Space Week
NL Space Week is a national programme of events across the Netherlands, organised by actors from the space sector. The programme highlights how space connects to industry, policy, education, and everyday life. Previous editions included more than 45 events and around 10,000 visitors, ranging from open days and specialised sessions to movies and theatre shows.
As the initiative has grown, it has also taken on a broader role. Beyond individual events, NL Space Week functions as a shared effort to increase visibility of the Dutch space sector and its relevance to wider audiences.
Programme preview
Several events are already confirmed for 2026, including:
- ESTEC Open Days on 26 and 27 September
- SRON Open Days on 26 September (Leiden) and 4 October (Groningen)
- Weekend van de Wetenschap on 3 and 4 October
Additional events will be added as the programme develops.
How to take part
Organisations can take part by hosting an event between 26 September and 4 October. Formats are flexible and can include open days, workshops, smaller sessions, or online activities.
Participation also includes contributing to the overall visibility of NL Space Week. Partners are encouraged to actively communicate their involvement and support outreach towards broader audiences.
Organisations interested in participating can submit their event through the NL Space Week submission page. The website password is shared through NL Space Week partner channels, including partner meetings, presentation slides, and other partner materials. If you do not have access to the password, please contact the NL Space Week team via spaceweek@nlspaceweek.eu.
Organisations interested in participating can submit their event via spaceweek@nlspaceweek.eu using the subject line: ‘NL Space Week 2026 Event Submission’. Please ensure that submissions follow the publishing agreement
What changes in 2026
For the 2026 edition, NL Space Campus takes a different role in the organisation of the week. A committee is being formed to support coordination and further development, including the possibility of evolving towards a NL Space Week Foundation.
This shift reflects the scale NL Space Week has reached. What started as a coordinated initiative has grown into something that requires collective ownership.
NL Space Campus will continue to:
- maintain the website and shared materials
- organise the NL Space Campus Open Day (date to be confirmed)
- facilitate partner and committee meetings during the first year
The approach for future editions will be defined together with partners.
Committee
The committee will come together to support the development of NL Space Week, including storytelling, marketing, and long-term positioning, with a focus on establishing the NL Space Week Foundation. Current participants include ESA ESTEC, Gemeente Noordwijk, Space Expo, NLSA, Noordwijk Marketing, NVR, and Void & Visual.
Partners who would like to be considered for the committee can express their interest via spaceweek@nlspaceweek.eu using the subject line: ‘NL Space Week 2026 Committee Interest’.”
Next steps
The next partner meeting will take place on 11 June at Cometlab. To register participation, please send an email to spaceweek@nlspaceweek.eu using the subject line: ‘NL Space Week Partner Meeting | 11 June 2026’.”