Space Technology

Operations of the European Robotic Arm on the International Space Station
Space Technology

22 July 2021

Properly prepared for space

The Russian rocket has been launched successfully from Baikonur Cosmodrome on 21 July. The cargo, which includes the European Robotic Arm, is underway to the international space station, ISS. After many years of postponements, the Mission Preparation and Training Equipment that NLR developed will then finally have proved its worth. The big day finally arrived on […]
CFRP Vinci Thrust Frame - composite
Construction and Manufacturing

12 July 2021

R&D case: CFRP Vinci thrust frame for the Ariane 6 launcher

Optimising the engine thrust frame of the Ariane 6 launcher. The Ariane 6 Launcher will enter a very competitive commercial launcher market. New entrants to this market have reduced the launch price per unit mass payload by half (50%). Compared to Ariane 5 the production costs of the Ariane 6 launcher should be reduced by […]
ESA Galileo satellite system
Defence and Security

09 March 2021

More space in the Defence Department’s future

By 2035, the Dutch Ministry of Defence needs to be a smart and technologically advanced organisation that takes action based on the best information. Not only on land and sea and in the air: according to the new Defence Vision, threats are also affecting the cyber and space domains. Michel Keuning, on behalf of SpaceNed, […]
Defence and Security

25 January 2021

The Netherlands launches its first military nanosatellite

According to the current planning, Virgin Orbit will launch the first Dutch military nanosatellite to orbit with its upcoming launch mid-March. This satellite is an experimental project which has been set up in a unique collaboration in commission of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). With this launch the Dutch Ministry of Defense (MoD) takes […]
Norwegian-Dutch research mission for radar signals
Defence and Security

21 April 2020

Norwegian-Dutch research mission for radar signals

The Netherlands and Norway are developing two intelligence nanosatellites that will orbit the Earth in tandem formation. This is a bilateral research mission to investigate the sources of radar signals. The consortium of research institutes Royal NLR, TNO and the Norwegian Defence Research Institute FFI (Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt) are developing a demonstration mission for a space […]
Integration of satellite antennas into small sized UAVs
Space Technology

10 October 2019

Beamforming antennas

Beamforming antennas (also known as phased-array or beamsteering antennas) utilize a series of antenna elements that allow the antenna bundle to be controlled electronically instead of mechanically. This allows signals to be emitted in or received from the correct direction. This is an important advantage for non-fixed systems such as aircraft and satellites. In addition, […]
ESA Galileo constellation
Space Technology

01 October 2019

Satellite navigation for vital infrastructure and business opportunities

Galileo, the European satellite navigation system, provides greater accuracy in determining time and position than GPS by making use of the latest technologies and signals. Positions can be determined to an accuracy of within one metre. Every point on the Earth’s surface is covered by at least four and at most eight satellites. This civilian […]
ESA Galileo satellite system
Space Technology

21 June 2019

Shaping the future of small satellites

In a new era with many small satellites swarming around the Earth these constellations need to be safe, efficient and reliable. In April 2019, Hyperion and the Royal NLR signed an MoU for a collaboration. Both companies aim for future solutions in the area of small satellites. At an altitude of 350 kilometres or higher […]