Network & Drinks opened the 2026 programme at SBIC Noordwijk as part of the first Space Talent Day. The edition focused on workforce needs and career pathways in the Dutch space sector and featured the first findings from the Space for Talent initiative by NL Space Campus, the Netherlands Space Agency (formerly Netherlands Space Office), and SpaceNed.
Key findings from the Space for Talent research 
- 95% of organisations expect to recruit additional staff in the coming years.
- The strongest demand is in software and data, systems engineering, electronics, and project management.
- Mid- and senior-level roles are the most difficult to fill.
- Key recruitment challenges include a lack of specialised skills and competition from other sectors.
- Only about 25% of roles require Dutch, creating opportunities for international talent entering the sector.
The full report is expected to be published later this spring.
Short updates from NL Space Campus followed, before the programme moved to the three-minute pitches.
Updates from NL Space Campus
EUDIS Defence Hackathon: Defending Airspace, 26–28 March, Unmanned Valley (TRL 4-5 in focus)
The EUDIS Hackathon is aimed at teams that already have a prototype or validated concept and are ready to further develop it. Participants will work on defence-related challenges such as airspace protection and counter-drone systems, with support from the Ministry of Defence, NLR, TNO, and industry partners. Teams can win up to €7,000 locally and gain access to EU-level mentoring and pitching opportunities.
Join the in local infosession of EUDIS Hackathon on 12 March
CASSINI Hackathon: Space for Water, 24-26 April, CometLab (for students, young professionals and early-stage teams)
The CASSINI Hackathon is open to students and early-stage teams. Participants build a project over one weekend using Copernicus Earth observation and Galileo satellite navigation data. This year’s challenges focus on water scarcity, pollution, and flood monitoring. Teams receive guidance from experts across industry and government and can win up to €3,000 locally, with opportunities to continue at European level. No prior space experience is required.
Register for CASSINI Hackathon
NL Space Summer School 2026 – still some spot left!
Registrations for the NL Space Summer School opened on 1 February. The six-day programme, taking place from 5 to 10 July, includes visits to companies, universities, and institutes across the Netherlands, combined with lectures and group assignments.
Pitches during Network & Drinks
Nebula Xplorer – building a student satellite mission
Nebula Xplorer introduced its student-led satellite mission hosted by SRON in Leiden. Around 120 students from different universities and backgrounds are already involved in developing the mission, with about 400 students expected to participate together with educational institutions and industry partners. The project allows students to experience how a space mission is developed from start to finish, while contributing to research on how black holes capture material from companion stars. The team is currently looking for new students to join.
Dialogue for Space – invitation to join the community
Dialogue for Space introduced its monthly event series focused on students and early-career professionals exploring careers in the space sector. The initiative creates opportunities to hear directly from people working in different roles and to better understand possible career paths. Since its launch in December, participation has increased with each edition.
SGAC The Netherlands – for YPs with international ambitions
The Netherlands chapter of the Space Generation Advisory Council presented its activities as part of a global network of more than 29,000 members in 165 countries. SGAC organises local and international events, supports participation in conferences such as the International Astronautical Congress, and runs working groups covering topics from engineering to policy. The team is currently looking for a new National Point of Contact in the Netherlands.
Join us next time at ZIE – 26 March in Rotterdam
The next Network & Drinks will take place on 26 March during ZIE 2026 in Rotterdam, the annual South Holland industry event connecting high-tech companies, knowledge institutions, and public organisations. The programme of upcoming Network & Drinks will feature several three-minute pitches, including a confirmed pitch from cosine, a company developing advanced instrumentation for space and Earth observation. The pitch will be followed by the Hi Delta Impact Award ceremony.
Sign up for Network & Drinks by registering for ZIE. Entrance to ZIE is free.
If you would like to receive invitations directly, you can sign up for the NL Space Campus Community Updates. Community members interested in pitching can apply through the pitch registration form.
