On October 7, during NL Space Week, the CometLab was ceremonially opened at the NL Space Campus in Noordwijk. This new laboratory provides space for experiments, collaboration, and talent development in space exploration.

The NL Space Campus is the place in the Netherlands where space exploration, education, and businesses come together. Here, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs collaborate on smart solutions and new technologies. With the arrival of the CometLab, they have an additional space to quickly test ideas and turn them into applications that advance our economy and society.

During the opening, ESA astronaut Andre Kuipers, Dietmar Pilz (ESA/ESTEC), Pim van Strien (councilor of Noordwijk), Paul Veger, and Hanna Lakk (initiators of CometLab) and deputy Meindert Stolk of the Province of South Holland were present. They emphasized how important the lab is for innovation and collaboration in our region and beyond.

What is the CometLab?

The CometLab is a special place where students, researchers, and companies can test and develop new space exploration ideas. The lab provides equipment, materials, and workspaces to quickly and affordably build prototypes.

In the CometLab:

  • New technologies are tested. Think of sensors, satellite components, and smart software.
  • Students and pupils are trained. There are workshops, training sessions, and competitions to introduce young talent to space exploration.
  • Collaborations are initiated. Companies, universities, and international partners work together here on innovations that benefit society as a whole.

For South Holland, this means:

  • More jobs and opportunities for talent. Young people can learn and work here on the technology of the future.
  • Strong economy. New companies and startups find their way to the campus, leading to growth in the region.
  • Strengthened collaboration with ESA-ESTEC. CometLab provides a great platform for collaboration between ESA-ESTEC staff and players in the Dutch space exploration ecosystem.
  • Practical applications. Space exploration helps not only in space. Satellites also support our daily lives: from navigation and communication to monitoring climate and agriculture.

Building tomorrow together

With the opening of the CometLab, another important step has been taken in the further development of the NL Space Campus. This literally creates more space on the campus for meeting, collaboration, and accelerating innovation.