July 2025
LDE NL SPACE CAMPUS SUMMER SCHOOL
WATCH THE LDE NL SPACE CAMPUS SUMMER SCHOOL AFTERMOVIE
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?
- Build your network with like-minded students from different studies and experts from renowned companies in the space sector
- Experience working in an interdisciplinary team to solve challenges that the space market is currently facing
- Learn about the activities, developments and challenges in the Space sector
- Build your CV by working in teams and on challenge proposals
- Find out how and where you can work in the Dutch space sector
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO GET ADMITTED?
- Applications are open for 2nd, 3rd and 4th-year bachelor- and master students of any course registered at a European or Dutch Institute. Students finishing their studies in 2025 are still considered students. This year we also offer some spots for Young Professionals
- Apply on time and dedicate your time fully during the 6 days of Summer School
- Motivate your application and indicate which topics have your interest the most
- Pay the fee, which includes lunch, dinner, activities and a closing party (see the application process below)
- Most importantly: have fun, connect and get inspired!
JOIN THE
LDE NL SPACE CAMPUS SUMMER SCHOOL
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 will 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.Â
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.
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.
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Registration Fee 2025
Launch Phase (27 February – 28 March)
333,- Euro*
Cruise Phase (29 March – 29 May)
388,- Euro*
Encounter Phase (30 May – 26 June)
444,- Euro*
* Students from Leiden, Delft or Erasmus University get a discount of 15%
This fee includes
- bus transport from Leiden or Delft Station
- daily coffee, lunch and dinner
- goodie bag
- closing party with barbecue and drinks
- alumni events
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This fee excludesÂ
- accommodations for overnight stays
- flights
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If you cannot 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.Â
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.
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.Â
Stichting NL Space CampusÂ
Kapteynstraat 1
2201 BB Noordwijk
The NetherlandsÂ
KvK no. 75379619
BTW nummer:Â 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. Â
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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