Are you an SBIC community member? Get link from Slack to reserve your place!

Will you get involved to benefit from themed sessions?  These events are open to all and will be relevant for space (or non-space) startups or later stage companies!

About the format: A new event series launched in 2026 – the deep-dive sessions – that will take place sporadically throughout the year. These sessions are designed to be in-depth and interactive, offering multiple viewpoints. Each event consists of a short presentation followed by time for extended discussion, with time for you to ask the experts any questions that are relevant to the stage of your startup and your own experience. Each deep dive will have a themed topic. Other recurring events organised by SBIC include masterclasses & partner-in-residence sessions (every month), which are all free for the SBIC space business audience to join. If you have an idea for a theme or topic, please get in touch. Stay updated via the events newsletter.

Gain understanding of space business nuances

To understand the space market, you have to see it from all its angles. How to build your business varies whether you are bringing technology up to orbit, leveraging space data to service Earth or navigating the landscape of ESA projects. Space can be daunting, especially for those entering the market for the first time.

This deep-dive session taking place at SBIC Noordwijk will be delving into the ins and outs of doing business with space. Experts in the industry are brought together to present three different perspectives to give you guidance and insights to take your next or your first step! The sessions will all include a short presentation from the speaker of their background and topic followed by time for a lively discussion.

What you will learn

During this deep-dive session, three experts will approach the topic of talent from different angles:

Upstream:

• For those building hardware and other solutions that will venture out into orbit and beyond. You will learn how to strike the balance between building and selling, validation of your technology to raise its technology readiness level (TRL) and how to choose the best commercial routes.

Downstream:

• For those leveraging satellite data and services to create value on Earth. You will learn how to commercialise downstream in a rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, how to prioritise the right market with businesses, customers or government (B2B, B2C, B2G) and how to scale a downstream business.

Working with ESA:

• For those looking to collaborate with this key industry player, but that may be struggling to navigate the steps to get there. Learn some tips and tricks to improve your chances of winning ESA contracts, how to better identify ESA’s needs and opportunities, and best practices to build a good consortium.

Three perspectives on doing business with space for upstream, downstream and insights on working with the European Space Agency.

What to expect

Join to learn from the differing perspectives, which will be presented in parallel. Participants will attend all presentations, which are designed to be in-depth and interactive offering multiple viewpoints. Each session consists of a short presentation followed by time for extended discussions. Ask the expert any questions about the topic that are relevant to your startup and your own experience. Outline:

• Welcome and information starting at 14:00
  
• 1 theme in 3 perspectives in parallel (30 minutes):
  • 10 min presentations
  • 20 min Q&A with audience
• Each topic is presented 3 times:
  • Participant rotation to get all perspectives
• Event ends at 16:00

There will be a short 5–10 minute break following each topic to allow for participants to move to the next presentation. Groups will be allocated at the start of the deep-dive session at SBIC Noordwijk. The event* is scheduled to last 2 hours.

Reserve your place at this deep-dive session to get practical insights relevant for space startups – who may well be considering joining ESA BIC to develop their business idea – or later stage companies.

SPEAKER PROFILES

UPSTREAM – Spherical

Thomas Parry – CEO and founder of Spherical, a space electronics company developing mission-specific microchips and satellite systems. His career spans both spacecraft engineering and semiconductor design, giving him a rare end-to-end perspective on how tailored electronics can unlock better space systems.

Spherical is an alumnus of ESA BIC Noordwijk; discover more here

DOWNSTREAM – SmartCane

Daniel Levelt – Founder and director of SmartCane, a company dedicated to providing satellite‑data‑driven and agronomically grounded decision support to sugarcane growers. He oversees the translation of satellite‑derived crop insights, field monitoring and yield forecasting into user‑friendly tools for estates and small‑holder sugarcane farmers.

WORKING WITH ESA – Airbus

Rob van Hassel – Business director solar arrays at Airbus Netherlands. He has nearly 40 years of experience in the space industry, working across engineering, sales and management roles. Throughout his career, he has been involved in the development and delivery of space technologies and programs for ESA, NASA and numerous commercial customers.

Airbus is a technical partner of SBIC Noordwijk; discover more here

GOOD TO KNOW:
The event is open to all. It is free for ESA BIC startups and SBIC community members (check the events Slack channel for your link). If you are not in our community yet, sign up for membership here! Students can get 50% discount when registering for this event. Get in touch using your institution’s email address.

View upcoming events happening at SBIC Noordwijk >>

The post Join deep-dive session at SBIC focusing on entry strategies for opportunities across the space sector (date: 8 Sep) appeared first on Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk.

The following is an edited version of the Airbus press release

The optical ground station for Eagle-1, to be built by Airbus for SES, will consist of a control room, alongside a dome housing an ultra-precise telescope to track satellites, required for the laser link. To ensure the precision of the laser connection, the station will be equipped with advanced optics allowing it to correct real-time atmospheric distortions, such as turbulence caused by air movement or temperature fluctuations.

“The optical ground station will serve as the primary ground connection for the Eagle-1 system managed by SES in a public–private partnership with ESA and the European Commission. Once operational, the system will allow early adoption of the quantum-safe technology by users such as governments and banking sector, enabling next-generation cybersecurity,” says Xavier Bertran, SES’ chief product and innovation officer.

Eagle-1 and secure quantum communications

Through the Eagle-1 project, Europe will receive its first satellite to demonstrate end-to-end ultra-secure communication based on quantum technology. Comprising a satellite, a ground network and advanced laser connection, Eagle-1 is the first and major step in developing a European system for quantum key distribution (QKD). Unlike traditional satellites using radio frequencies, the Eagle-1 satellite link utilises laser beams to transmit security keys, establishing an optimally secure connection over long distances.

Delivered by prime contractor TNO (advanced optics), the project brings together the expertise of FSO Instruments (sensor), Celestia STS (optical digital modem), the Italian Officina Stellare (telescope and dome) and Airbus (real-time control system and system integration).

Eagle-1 quantum mission: The Eagle-1 satellite will be the first European space-based quantum key distribution system developed as a partnership between ESA, the European Commission and space companies in Europe, led by SES Techcom. The Eagle-1 project is paving the way towards an ultra-secure network that uses quantum key distribution (QKD) to keep information safe, significantly boosting European autonomy in cybersecurity and communications. QKD uses the laws of physics to distribute encryption keys in such a way that any attempt to eavesdrop is immediately detected. Discover more

Protecting Europe’s digital infrastructure

The goal of this collaboration is to protect Europe’s digital infrastructure using satellite communication, bringing with it a level of security for essential services on which every citizen depends. The arrival of the optical ground station was celebrated on Tuesday 14 July with the unveiling of the construction sign by Rob Postma of Airbus Netherlands, Alan Kuresevic of SES and Alderman Pim van Strien.

The Alderman Pim van Strien comments: “From this location, highly precise laser beams will connect with a satellite located hundreds of kilometers above the Earth. This is therefore not just any new facility. It is a gateway between the campus and space! And moreover, a very important step in the further development of the NL Space Campus.”

Landmark facility in Noordwijk

The realisation of this landmark facility in Noordwijk is a massive team effort across the Netherlands and would not be possible without international cooperation.

“With cyber threats evolving rapidly, our defence and government partners demand networks that are physically unhackable. High-performance secure communication using QKD is a strategic necessity, and this ground station will be the vital link connecting space to Earth using ultra-precise laser beams, exchanging quantum keys,” comments Rob Postma, managing director of Airbus Netherlands.

Construction preparations are already underway, with the nearby SBIC Noordwijk building acting as a reference point for measurements on the site layout. The ground station assembly will start in 2027 and the target operation is in early 2028. Rob continues: “I could not be prouder of our team and our incredible partners – including ESA, SES, Netherlands Space Agency, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and NXTGEN Hightech – as we build the foundation for next-generation European cybersecurity. Let’s make Eagle-1 a historic success!”

This is edited from the press release published on the Airbus website

Airbus is a partner of SBIC Noordwijk available to offer technical support to

Airbus is a partner of SBIC and is available to provide technical support to ESA BIC Noordwijk startups

The post Airbus, SES and Municipality of Noordwijk to build satellite optical ground station for Eagle-1 appeared first on Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk.

Some text from this news item is extracted from an earlier post on the NLSA website

For the first time since 1972, humans have returned to lunar orbit. NASA’s Artemis II mission, with a crew of four astronauts, launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 1 April 2026 (local time). The Netherlands has made a crucial contribution – the solar panels powering the Orion spacecraft were built by Airbus in Leiden. On behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA), Airbus is the prime contractor responsible for building the European Service Module (ESM). It provides the Orion spacecraft with propulsion, power, fuel and the life support systems the astronauts need to survive on their journey to the Moon. View mission photos via ESA website

Dutch-built solar panels with impressive wingspan

“A proud moment for the Netherlands.” This is how Daniël van Beekhuizen of the Netherlands Space Agency (NLSA) describes the launch of Artemis II. Representing the Netherlands on the ESA Programme Council that deals with manned spaceflight, he comments: “With the solar panels, the Netherlands is making a very tangible and visible contribution to this mission. The fact that Leiden-based Airbus was chosen within the collaboration between NASA and ESA underscores the confidence in the quality of our high-tech technology.”

The ESM’s four solar-powered “wings” are large, containing 15,000 solar cells capable of generating 11.1 kilowatts of energy. After the solar panels deployed in low Earth orbit, they give the Orion spacecraft its impressive wingspan of 19 metres. Each of the four solar arrays turns on two axes in order to be able to align with the sun for maximum power generation.

Long-term strategy in the Netherlands

Airbus Netherlands is supplying the solar panels for all six Artemis missions announced to date. Development started as early as 2012. It was 10 years later, in November 2022, that the first units went into space with the unmanned test flight Artemis I. The wings of Artemis II were built starting in 2017 and delivered to NASA in 2021.

The fact that Airbus Netherlands can participate in such a high-profile programme as Artemis is because the Netherlands has been investing in specific knowledge, experience and technology for more than 50 years, says Rob van Hassel, solar panel specialist at Airbus Netherlands. This began in the 1970s with solar panels for the first Dutch satellites, ANS and IRAS. Since then, Airbus Netherlands (formerly known as Fokker and subsequently Dutch Space) has supplied solar panels for some 160 different space missions. “An enormous track record, which we owe in part to our close collaboration with ESA and the Netherlands Space Agency,” said Van Hassel.

Custom-made for the Artemis missions

The solar panels of the European Service Module are uniquely custom-made for the characteristics of the Artemis missions. The fact that these are manned flights is a first complicating factor, explains Van Hassel. Because of this, the panels must meet the strictest possible safety requirements. “This is the reason there are four wings with solar panels, instead of the usual two. Even if one wing were to fail completely, the other three would still provide enough energy to complete the mission to the Moon.”

A second complication is the extreme vibrations and noise of the 98-metre-high SLS rocket during launch. The solid-fuel rockets and four large main engines together make more noise than has ever been fired at solar panels from any supplier. “Normally, solar panels are very thin to save weight. Those of Artemis, however, are extra thick so that they do not buckle under this heavy load during launch.”

Solar panels pass the test in space

The flight path of the Artemis missions also presents additional challenges. The solar panels must perform a number of manoeuvres. First, at the moment Orion receives a boost to fly into a higher orbit around the Earth. Then, during the translunar injection, the final push from the main engine that sets the spacecraft on course for the Moon.

Van Hassel continues: “The solar panels will endure significant shocks. Moreover, during that final push, we want to prevent jet dust from the rocket engines from damaging the panels. That is why they are being flipped forward. But things get tense at lower loads. To ensure that the Orion spacecraft can also be controlled manually, the crew pilot will practice with his joysticks for an hour. It is already established that the vibrations from the solar panels will influence that control. But how and to what extent will be tested for the first time in weightlessness. So, it will be exciting to see if the panels react exactly as in our simulations, because such manoeuvres have never been performed in space before.”

The astronauts are now on their return journey and the spacecraft will splash down near San Diego on 10 April (local time). The Airbus article, outlining the integral part of the ESM in NASA’s Artemis mission, concludes: “This voyage will confirm the reliability of Orion’s critical systems and the impact of deep-space flight on the physical and psychological health of the astronauts. The success of this mission rests on European industrial excellence: through the ESM, ESA, Airbus and its partners are demonstrating that Europe is a key partner in global lunar ambitions.”

Key moments of the mission can be viewed via the NASA website

Airbus and NLSA are partners of SBIC; view full news item on the NLSA website

ESA’s Dutch business incubation programme is welcoming new space business ideas:

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