AMSTERDAM (NSO PR) — Space is developing rapidly as a global commercial market and it is no longer the exclusive domain of space agencies. The Netherlands has the necessary qualities to play a substantial role in the growth market for space in the future as well.

How does the Netherlands Space Office (NSO) ensure that those future opportunities actually arise and are capitalised on? The answer: by supporting promising innovations during a crucial phase with one of its innovation schemes. Sometimes, that support is needed in order to e.g. take the final step towards the market.

This is what will allow the Belgian company Aerospacelab to launch a small earth-observation satellite in a few years’ time that will be powered by a new generation of solar panels from the Netherlands. This makes the company the launching customer of Sparkwing, an innovative product developed by Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands from Leiden, with a final push towards the market provided by the NSO. The contract between Aerospacelab and Airbus Defense and Space was signed last month. An untapped market awaits.