On 18-19 September 2024, the NL Space Campus proudly participated in the Industry Space Days (ISD) 2024 at ESA/ESTEC, Netherlands, alongside over 2300 participants from 1100 companies across 42 countries. This key event gathered stakeholders from Europe’s space industry, ranging from startups to large system integrators, offering a platform to discuss ESA’s future goals, procurement opportunities, and industry trends.
NL Space Booth
At the NL Space Booth, we promoted NL Space Week and showcased key developments within the Dutch space ecosystem. This booth provided a platform for networking, engaging with future partners, and strengthening the Netherlands’ position within the European space sector. Our team highlighted ongoing and upcoming initiatives, helping establish important connections with industry stakeholders.
ESA Technology Broker
In collaboration with SBIC, we presented the ESA Technology Broker Netherlands, which focuses on facilitating technology transfer and fostering partnerships between the space sector and other industries. The ESA Technology Broker platform attracted a great deal of interest, providing insights into how space innovations can be applied across different sectors and spurring further discussions on potential cross-sector collaborations.
Jacobo Domingo, the new main contact for ESA Technology Broker NL, described his experience at ISD as both fun and hectic, marking his first attendance. He noted, “I was happy to interact with so many people from the space industry in Europe. It was exciting to see new technologies, innovation, and a willingness to collaborate among all players. The growth of the sector is evident; I even heard seasoned attendees suggest that ESA might need a bigger building next year!” He emphasized the opportunity to showcase the work of the ESA Technology Broker and connect with potential partners while also observing an imbalance between the number of new products and the challenges identified within the industry.
Regarding challenges, Jacobo highlighted broader industry challenges, such as technologies for return space travel and space debris management. He expressed excitement over increased discussions around sustainability and how space technology can support environmental protection and climate change resilience. “I see a growing trend of technology transfer in the space sector, leading to collaborations with partners from other industries and countries, creating a synergetic network with global reach!” he stated.
Event Highlights and Industry Engagement
The ISD 2024 featured thousands of pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings, which provided participants an opportunity to explore ESA’s procurement needs and initiate collaborations. These meetings were essential for companies aiming to align their business strategies with ESA’s long-term activities.
A key moment of the event was the signing of the Zero Debris Charter by 23 companies, reinforcing the European space industry’s commitment to space sustainability. Additionally, ESA awarded companies that excelled in their supplier evaluation process, with Airbus Defence and Space, ASP Systems, and KP Labs receiving recognition for their contributions.
ISD 2024 was a highly productive event for NL Space Campus, with meaningful engagement at both the NL Space Booth and the ESA Technology Broker platform.