Space Technology

ESA Galileo constellation
Space Technology

29 October 2024

Protect your navigation: new toolkit helps identify and reduce risks

Satellite navigation is an essential technology in our modern world. We use it in traffic, for precision agriculture and for managing critical infrastructure. But how safe is this technology really? There are risks associated with the use of satellite navigation, such as failures and cyber attacks. A new toolkit will help you identify and mitigate these risks.

Aviation resilience to GNSS frequency jamming and cyber threats.
Defence and Security

25 January 2024

R&D case: Resilience to GNSS frequency jamming and cyber threats (AIRING)

The AIRING project has investigated the increased risk of interference and spoofing for aviation, and the technical ways it can be detected or mitigated. A concept was proposed to combine technology and operational procedures, in such a way that GNSS interference can be detected and dealt with in an effective and safe way.

Responsive collaborative small satellite constellations for dedicated applications
Space Technology

25 January 2024

Space as critical infrastructure

Not a luxury, but a necessity: the Dutch aerospace industry is pushing for a long-term aerospace agenda. A good initiative for further innovation and substantial investment to maintain and strengthen its competitive position.

Space Technology

11 December 2023

R&D case: Advanced payload control and onboard data processing

Current SmallSat avionics are not suitable for commercial SmallSat missions. The challenge is here to get to a solution with a proper balance between size, versatility, reliability, robustness to the space environment and cost effectiveness. A solution using space qualified parts is too expensive and bulky and a solution based on commercially off the shelf (COTS) components will not offer the reliability and quality assurance customers demand.

Responsive collaborative small satellite constellations for dedicated applications
Defence and Security

25 August 2023

REACTS selected for funding by EDF

The European Defence Fund (EDF) has recently declared that the consortium known as REACTS – Responsive European Architecture for Space- is set to receive funding in the Space category. This financial allocation will empower REACTS to establish a Resilient Network of Responsive Space System (RSS) Capabilities dedicated to enhancing European Defence.

Defence and Security

03 January 2023

Norwegian-Dutch nanosatellites successfully launched

Two Norwegian-Dutch nanosatellites were successfully launched today. “Birkeland” and “Huygens” were placed in orbit around the earth by the company SpaceX. MilSpace2 is a cooperation project between the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO).

Tropomi measurement of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the atmosphere above the Netherlands.
Space Technology

01 October 2022

Blog: The Netherlands loses battle for space

5 years ago on 13 October 2017, climate satellite instrument Tropomi was launched – a great day for the Netherlands and crucial for global climate research. The instrument, which maps the entire Earth’s atmosphere every day, was the icing on the cake for a progressive and innovative Dutch space policy. We led the way in Europe. Now, five years later, the Netherlands is in danger of losing the lead and dangling at the back of the pack in terms of investment. With the upcoming European Space Agency (ESA) ministerial conference in Paris, we need to get back on track and accelerate. Climate, defence, cybersecurity and food security are global issues for which space is decisive for solutions, influence and security of countries. Continued investments in new satellite instruments, however, is a must. We must not lose this battle.