Netherlands Space Office

The Netherlands Space Agency (NLSA) is the space agency of the Netherlands. It helps plan and support space projects for the country. The NLSA works with scientists, engineers, and other countries to explore space and use what they learn to make life on Earth better. This agency helps make sure the Netherlands stays involved in fun space adventures and research.

Creation

In October 2008, three Dutch government groups joined with the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research to start a space agency.

The old agency, called the Netherlands Space Office (NSO), began on July 1, 2009. It brought together space work from the Netherlands Agency for Aerospace Programmes and other groups like KNMI. By March 3, 2026, the agency changed its name to the Netherlands Space Agency (NLSA).

Purpose

The Netherlands Space Agency (NLSA) was started by the Dutch government to help plan and manage the country's space activities. NLSA represents the Netherlands in important space groups, like the European Space Agency (ESA), the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It also helps connect people in the Netherlands who are interested in space.

NLSA works to share information and encourage learning about space, focusing on what the Netherlands does in space activities.

Administration

The director of the Netherlands Space Agency reports to a special group from the government. The agency is part of RVO, which belongs to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.