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summer 2025

LDE NL SPACE CAMPUS SUMMER SCHOOL

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WATCH THE LDE NL SPACE CAMPUS SUMMER SCHOOL AFTERMOVIE

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About the programme

During the week you will meet and learn about the various space programmes, developments and (research) activities at the Leiden Delft and Erasmus universities and go on a tour of space agencies, institutes and industry in South Holland, including (amongst others): ESA ESTEC, SRON, TNO, Airbus, SBIC, West End, S[&]T and of course the three universities themselves. Starting at the NL Space Campus in Noordwijk at ESA-ESTEC, the technical heart of ESA, you will tour the cities of Leiden and Delft before returning to Noordwijk. During the week, you will meet many experts, and learn about the basics of space technology and recent developments. This way you can work on your team’s challenge fully prepared.

The week also includes multiple fun and non-space events. You will get to know the other participants as well as learn about each other’s strengths, knowledge and approaches to problem-solving. This is important because you will need to combine your strengths to work in interdisciplinary teams to solve actual space sector challenges that require insight and knowledge from different backgrounds. You will therefore grow many (soft)skills such as collaboration, communication and creative thinking.

To stimulate working in a team and building a network, we have included teambuilding exercises, industry workshops and collaborative activities. These are combined with project team building, networking drinks, a project presentation and end the week with a networking barbecue.

It is NOT necessary to have any prior knowledge about space technology to join this Summer School. This course is for ANY student who is interested in space.

What alumni say

“The summer school has provided me with unique insights into my future trajectory. After the program, I’ve actively participated in space-related networking events and anticipate continuing to do so in the future. I believe this is just the beginning of my journey in this field.”

– Stefan, HR Management Stenden Hogeschool Leeuwarden

“One significant takeaway for me was realizing the suitability of my current academic path within the aerospace industry. It was a great reminder of the diverse talents needed in this field [aerospace]. From engineers to lawyers and beyond!”

– Francesca, Space Engineering TU Delft

“What surprised me was how much fun it was. Flying drones and visiting the Leidse instrumentmakers School were highlights. And making friends with shared interests made it even better. It wasn’t just about technical stuff; I also learned about marketing and business.”

– Felix, Leidse instrumentmakers School

WHY APPLY FOR THE LDE NL SPACE CAMPUS SUMMER SCHOOL?

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO GET ADMITTED?

timetable of last year

Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Welcome & Start in Leiden
Pitch Training
Team Building exercise
Pitch-training
Project Introductions
Workshop Building a successful Business case
Session: Exploring Ethics and Collaboration
ESA BIC programme & Startup presentations
Workshop Funding & Investing
Visit WestEnd
Earth Observation & Drones
Drone Experience
Lecture Systems Architecture
Tour TNO
Workshop EO & Optical Instruments
Visit S[&]T
Lecture Space Law & Astronomy
Tour Old Observatory Leiden
LiS visit
SRON visit
Visit Airbus
Lecture Space Hardware
Lecture Earth Observation
Lecture Robotics
Workshop Moon/Mars Rovers & Research
Visit Demcon
Project Time
Final presentations with Expert Jury
Tour Space Expo
Network BBQ and closing party
*PLNT! Leiden *TU Delft ECHO Building *ESA/ESTEC
*SBIC Noordwijk
*Graduate Fund
*WestEnd
*Unmanned Valley
*Netherlands Space Office
*ECHO/EWI
*TNO
*S[&]T
*SRON
*LiS
*LU Space Law
*Old Observatory
*TU Delft
*Lunar Zebro
*Tumbleweed
*Demcon
*SBIC Noordwijk
*Space Expo
Dinner Lunch Lunch / Networking Dinner Lunch / Networking Dinner Lunch / Networking Dinner Lunch / Networking Dinner Lunch / Networking Dinner / Closing event

Please note that for the 2025 summer school the programme wil be 6 days

In association with

NL Space Campus is the place for the national and international Space community where entrepreneurs, researchers, institutes and organisations share aerospace knowledge, initiate cooperation, and implement technology and data.

SUMMER SCHOOL PROJECTS DURING THE WEEK

A key element of the Summer School is the project that you will be working on. This year the challenges will be offered by actual companies and you will present your solution to your client at the end of the week. When the challenges have been prepared we will share them with you.

You will be placed into a project team of multiple students with different backgrounds (Marketing, Instrumentation, Science, Law, Engineering, Business, etc) with whom you will need to find a solution to your challenge. Your team will work on the challenge during the entire week starting on day 1 with a team-building exercise. 

Then, during the week, you will be provided with relevant information to work on your team’s challenge with the presentations and visits to the different locations. Your team will receive some information and guidance to start your project, but it will be up to your team to find solutions and know when to ask for the relevant information from the experts during the visits.

At the end of the week, you will present your work to your peers and experts to demonstrate you understood the challenge and what solutions and innovations your team has identified to answer the challenge.

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JOIN THE
LDE NL SPACE CAMPUS SUMMER SCHOOL!

APPLICATION PROCESS AND REGISTRATION FEE

For the LDE NL Space Campus Summerschool, you will be asked for a short motivation, study information and share your study background, to meet requirements and have sufficient participants from different backgrounds for the interdisciplinary projects. Once you meet the conditions and your application has been accepted, you will receive a confirmation e-mail and instructions to pay the participation fee. Once payment has been completed then your participation has been successfully confirmed.

 

 

This fee includes bus transport to most locations from Leiden or Delft Station and includes lunch/dinner upon indication in the programme. 

This fee excludes accommodations for overnight stays, and flights. If you are unable to be on time in Leiden or Delft during the summer school week, we recommend you start looking for suitable accommodation options in advance.

If you have any questions that have not been answered by the information on this page, you may send an email to summerschool@nlspacecampus.eu and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Frequently Asked questions

Here you will find detailed answers to frequently asked questions about the LDE NL Space Campus Summer School. This section is designed to help clarify any concerns regarding eligibility, fees, accommodations, and more. Should you need further information, do not hesitate to contact us directly.

Yes, formal clothing (suit dress) is not required, but we ask you to wear decent clothing. You may be visiting your future employer.

Yes. But not on Sunday.

No, you will not have to ride a bicycle

You are required to ID yourself anywhere in general in The Netherlands. But you will need to have ID with you on Monday through Friday to get into sites we visit.

It includes transportation from Leiden and back, every day of the program. It also includes lunch and dinner, except for Wednesday when we finish the day early. It does not include accommodation. If you wish to receive support for finding accommodation, you can do so in the application form.

Space Campus
Universiteit Leiden
Universiteit Leiden
Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam

SOME EXTRA INFORMATION

The LDE NL Space Campus Summer School programme is hosted and funded by the Leiden Delft Erasmus Universities and Stichting NL Space Campus. 

Stichting NL Space Campus 
Kapteynstraat 1
2201 BB Noordwijk
The Netherlands 
KvK no. 75379619
BTW nummer: NL860260008B01
info@nlspacecampus.eu

Stichting NL Space Campus is the gateway to the Dutch Space Cluster and, together with this strong cluster, an important European Space Hub. We connect the curious.  Both online and offline, we are here to find and share new and better ways to go from knowledge to the application of knowledge.  

The Leiden-Delft-Erasmus universities is an alliance of 3 world leading top 100 universities and houses the largest aerospace engineering faculty in Europe, a world-famous astronomy department and the number one air and space law program in the world. With over 1.100 PhD defenses per year, 85.000 students and a collaboration with NL Space Campus, we’re working together for Space and Society.

RULES OF BEHAVIOUR

Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately. If a Participant engages in unacceptable behaviour, someone from the organisation may take any action it deems appropriate, including warning or expelling the offender from the event with no refund. For more egregious behaviour, the organisation may, in its reasonable discretion, temporarily ban or permanently expel a Participant from the event.

If you are subjected to unacceptable behaviour, notice that someone else is being subjected to unacceptable behaviour, or have any other concerns, please notify someone from the team as soon as possible. We want everyone to have the best experience possible and if you feel unsafe, please let us or the Confident officer know, so we can assist those experiencing unacceptable behaviour to feel safe for the duration of the event. All reports will remain completely confidential.

Your participation in the event is at your own risk. Your decision to participate as a volunteer is made of your own free will. You assume full responsibility for any risk of body injury, death, or property damage arising out of or related to the event. So please be mindful, together we make this week the best experience for everyone!

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