Dutch Space Sector at Space Tech Expo Europe: Showcasing Expertise and Growing Networks

Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen brings together space professionals from across the globe. This event offers free entrance, allowing a wider audience of space enthusiasts, including young professionals, to connect with companies and start-ups. Thanks to various side events, the conference fosters an informal atmosphere, making it easier to build connections. At Space Tech Expo Europe, the Netherlands has a strong representation, not only through the NL Space Pavilion but also through individual Dutch companies showcasing their products and services, as well as by organising networking events and workshops. This event serves as a platform for Dutch businesses to showcase their expertise, connect with the international community, and strengthen ties within the Dutch industry.  

About Space Tech Expo Europe 

Held from 19-21 November at MESSE BREMEN in Germany, Space Tech Expo Europe is Europe’s largest trade fair dedicated to the space industry. With over 700 exhibitors and more than 150 speakers, it serves as an important platform for showcasing the latest in space technology and innovation. The event highlights the critical role of cities like Bremen, known as the ‘City of Space,’ in supporting the European space sector. It is a perfect venue for Dutch companies to connect with international partners and grow their networks. 

Dutch Presence at Space Tech Expo Europe 

Every year, Dutch representatives organise a range of activities at Space Tech Expo Europe to showcase the variety and quality of Dutch space technology. NL Space Pavilion is a welcoming hub for meetings and networking, designed to foster easy interaction and spontaneous conversations. Well-established networking events, Connecting Space Regions and Connecting the Curious, which have been organised for several years, strengthen ties with the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen and bring together a vital network. Workshops and activities, whether at the pavilion or in the expo’s workshop rooms, offer valuable insights into Dutch advancements and developments in the space industry. 

Image: Connecting the Curious 2024

For young professionals, startups, and students, Connecting the Curious offers an inspiring platform to network, share ideas, and explore opportunities in the European space sector. The 2024 edition drew 154 participants and showcased 28 engaging pitches supported by key partners such as ESA BIC Noordwijk/SBIC Noordwijk, ESA BIC Northern Germany/AVIAspace, ESA BIC Bavaria/AZOspace and BDLI. The event continues to grow as a hub for collaboration, encouraging startups to showcase their innovations and young talents to connect with influential organisations. 

Maaike Smelter, Community Manager at NL Space Campus, shared her thoughts: “We had a fantastic event with a record-breaking number of participants, confirming the interest from the sector. It’s always rewarding to see such energy and engagement when offering a networking opportunity. Next year, we aim to make it even bigger, so save the date for the Wednesday evening during Space Tech Expo 2025!”

Renate Beausoleil, Senior Policy Officer for Aerospace and Smart Industry at the Province of  Zuid-Holland, shared, “We had a successful Connecting Space Regions networking dinner with 140 participants. This annual networking dinner organised with our partners Aviaspace Bremen, the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen and SpaceNed, offers us an opportunity to strengthen ties between our two regions, both between governments and industry, and also to look at how we can take forward our joint ambitions. Most of the participants are from the Bremer or NL Space Cluster, but there was also a targeted invitation sent to a number of stakeholders from other regions, including from Scotland, who had a conversation with us [Province of Zuid-Holland and SpaceNed] during the dinner to explore the possibility of cooperation.” 

Building on the launch of the Action Agenda 2023-2026 during Space Tech Expo Europe 2022,  a workshop on the Digital Twin of the Moon, a joint initiative between Zuid-Holland and Bremen, took place this year. This workshop was aimed at industrial stakeholders, representatives of ESA and national delegates in order to start a dialogue to see how ambitions of the Digital Twin of the Moon Initiative meet up to the policy agendas of ESA/EU/National programs. Laura Gibson – ten Bloemendal, Strategic Partnerships Manager | Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft, explains the initiative’s potential: “A digital twin of the moon allows us to simulate future scenarios, reduce risks, and lower costs for lunar missions while improving their quality. It’s about sharing resources and working together to make these missions more efficient.” 

NL Space – Representing Dutch Expertise on the Global Stage 

NL Space Booth. Image Credit: Chadya Elouazzan / Netherlands Space Office

The design of the NL Space Booth captures the spirit of Dutch culture—open, inviting, and inclusive. It stands out at the expo as a place where discussions flow freely and partnerships develop without the formalities of a typical trade show environment. As Hessel Kokke, General Manager at SpaceNed, mentions, “If you compare it to other big stands, some separate their exhibitors into different regions, but we represent the entire Dutch space sector. The openness of our booth really works—it’s crowded, people walk in, look around, make connections, grab a coffee. It’s a great design.” 

More than just a booth, the NL Space Pavilion is a central hub where Dutch companies showcase their advancements in areas like satellite technology, autonomous intelligence, and space support services. Notably, VDL Enabling Technologies Group, FSO Instruments, and other partners present the PAMI-1 satellite project, a collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Defense aimed at enhancing autonomous intelligence gathering from space. 

Jasper Wamsteker, Head of Communication and Education at the Netherlands Space Office (NSO), expresses, “The Dutch space sector is brimming with innovative ideas, technologies and solutions to societal challenges. But international cooperation is key to realise ambitions. The open character of our NL Space pavilion at the Space Tech Expo in Bremen creates many valuable contacts that can lead to great concrete collaborations.” 

Hessel Kokke adds, “The pavilion works on both a national and international level. Our presence on an international level continues to grow, and our pavilion is becoming a well-known, strong brand.” He encourages all Dutch space companies to visit the pavilion, regardless of their affiliation, to explore potential collaborations and engage with the wider space community. “To Dutch space companies, I would encourage you to reach out even if you’re not part of SpaceNed or NL Space. We invite you to visit, say hello, and discuss how we can collaborate. We can explore how we can help each other, and we invite everyone to our networking events, whether they’re SpaceNed members or not,” he added. 

Looking Forward: Expansion and Future Growth 

The Dutch Space Community sees Space Tech Expo Europe not just as a one-time opportunity to make initial contacts but as a chance to foster lasting connections with partners through workshops and events. Connecting the Curious and Connecting Space Regions are bright examples, growing each year to offer a stage and space for a wide audience, from young professionals, startups, and students to a diverse range of representatives from the space industry. 

The NL Space Pavilion is set to grow further, with Hessel Kokke reflecting on the success of this year’s edition and the ongoing desire to accommodate more Dutch companies. “Every year, we discuss expansion with NSO and co-exhibitors, and while we’re nearing our capacity, we’re already exploring options for the future. The space is booked for next year, but we’re committed to ensuring the pavilion remains open and accessible. Our presence at international events is expanding, and the pavilion is becoming a well-established, recognizable brand,” says Hessel.  

The Action Agenda 2023-2026 continues to drive collaboration in the space sector between Bremen and  Zuid-Holland. Networking events and workshops  within this framework are aimed on  consortia building for joint R&D-projects and other future initiatives. The success of these efforts reinforces the importance of maintaining and expanding partnerships through events like Space Tech Expo Europe, where progress is measured not only in attendance but in the growth and impact of collaborative projects.