Dialogue for Space

For the organisers of Dialogue for Space, who are NL Space Summer School alumni themselves, introducing the initiative today during this year’s NL Space Summer School at Leiden Law School, Leiden University, was a meaningful full-circle moment. 🤲 🌟 Coming from engineering, international relations, and business, they all encountered the same challenge while pursuing their interest in the space sector: the need for continuous, low-barrier touchpoints, learning frameworks, and relatable role models that could inspire and empower different backgrounds and ambitions in a tailored way. One of those touchpoints began in Brussels earlier this year, when the European Commission (DG DEFIS) hosted the DIVERIS Annual Meeting, where the team met Pere Vilanova. Pere Vilanova is one of those role models, on a mission to run the 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 Pere’s initiative, The Freedom Trails, is a solo expedition of over 550 km – yes, you read that correctly: 550 km! A standard marathon is approximately 42.2 km! – crossing historical paths in a quest to fathom the essence of freedom. According to Pere, endurance is a psychological and emotional evolution divided into seven episodes: • 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 | 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 | 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 | 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 | 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 | 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 | 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 This earthly path of resilience mirrors the challenges future space travellers may have to embrace in extreme environments. 🙌 ✉️ A special thank you to Pere for sharing his bravery. Send Pere a message for more information! 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲. The initiative is looking for enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds who want to learn and help build the next generation of cross-sector space connections. A call to all dreamers, doers, and innovators. NL Space Campus, Vera Pinto Gomes, Huis van de Nederlandse Provincies, Netherlands Space Agency - NLSA, UNIVERSEH European University, Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), EUSPA - EU Agency for the Space Programme.

We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of every single member who has contributed behind the scenes over the past year to shape the growth and format of Dialogue for Space. 💙 🧡 We are excited for all that is to come. As we continue to expand in our pursuit of empowering Europe's Next-Gen of dreamers, doers, and innovators in space, we are always looking for passionate people. Are you interested in being part of the team? Shoot us a message or catch us at the NL Space Campus x NL Space Summer School on 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 July. We are excited to present the #8 Sports in Space edition at Leiden Law School. #DialogueforSpace #DFS #NLSpaceSummerSchool #NLSpaceCampus #SportsinSpace Pere Vilanova CEC European Managers EUSPA - EU Agency for the Space Programme EU Space #StrategicPartnerships

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲! 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. If you are looking to access EU funding and scale your innovations, having the right guidance is invaluable. That is why we are absolutely thrilled to announce that Jean-Luc Eggen, European Innovation Council Coordinator, will be sharing his expertise at this 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 × 𝐍𝐋 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 & 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 Jean-Luc Eggen As the Coordinator for the EIC and the key point of contact for Horizon Europe (Cluster 5: Space) at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Jean-Luc Eggen is at the forefront of the European deep tech ecosystem. Since 2021, he and his team have been instrumental in securing over €700 million in grants and investments for Dutch startups. Jean-Luc Eggen is well-known for his 'critical friend' approach. He reviews and challenges plans to ensure they are robust enough to succeed on the European stage. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: TODAY 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: CometLab, Noordwijk + Online 👉 Secure your spot and sign up via the link in the first comment.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 "𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡”, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧? 🤔 To launch our co-organised 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 × 𝐍𝐋 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 & 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 event TOMORROW, we are pleased to announce that Valentina Quiroga-Fonseca from Catalyze Group will introduce participants to the fundamentals of Horizon Europe and explain why organisations such as the Netherlands Space Agency - NLSA, TNO, Ministerie van Defensie, and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency are key in helping innovators access opportunities, build partnerships, and accelerate innovation. 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 Valentina Quiroga-Fonseca Valentina Quiroga-Fonseca is a Junior Business Developer and EU Funding Specialist at Catalyze Group. With a background in Nanobiology and expertise spanning Physics and Geosciences, she combines scientific insight with a thorough understanding of the European funding landscape. At Catalyze Group, Valentina supports researchers, innovators, and STEM-driven entrepreneurs in securing the funding needed to scale their innovations. By translating funding mechanisms into clear and actionable opportunities, she helps innovators move forward with confidence and maximise their impact. Seats & drinks are limited. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: Tomorrow, 25 June 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: CometLab, Noordwijk + Online 👉 Secure your spot and sign up via the link in the first comment.

𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐣𝐚𝐳𝐳 𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐬🔥 Bringing together the networks of NL Space Campus and Dialogue for Space for a special co-organised event, we are excited to announce that Lara Deutz and her band will give a live performance. After discussing partnerships and innovation, it is time to enjoy a cold orange drink, and connect during live music.🍊🥂♫ 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 Lara Deutz Lara Deutz is a multidisciplinary artist based in Rotterdam, known for blending visual art and music into a cohesive, story-driven universe. Musically, Lara takes her audience on a space journey with sharp edges. Her sound fuses jazz harmonies with pop hooks and a theatrical, narrative-driven style. Built on layered arrangements, unexpected turns, and ever-shifting dynamics, her songs keep you alert while offering moments of reflection. Think: a powerful live band, striking visuals, and lyrics that linger long after the song ends. Seats & drinks are limited. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: Tomorrow, 25 June  𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: CometLab, Noordwijk + Online  👉 Secure your spot and sign up via the link in the first comment.

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐒 𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧? Bringing together communities such as the EUDIS hackathon or the NL Space Campus 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 & 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 stimulates innovation and collaboration opportunities. We are therefore thrilled to announce that Marnix Meersman, EUDIS NL Hackathon Winner 2026, will be present to share about his experience as CEO of Arqus Aerospace during the 𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 & 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒 × 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 × 𝐄𝐍𝐃-𝐎𝐅-𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 25. Yes, multiple networks joining forces.🎊 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 Marnix Meersman  Marnix Meersman is the CEO and co-founder of Arqus Aerospace, a Munich-based defence-tech startup specialising in non-kinetic effects for satellite and counter-drone defence. Arqus builds patented directed energy laser systems and electronic warfare modules to neutralise unmanned systems without physical destruction. Prior to Arqus, Marnix worked at the European Space Agency - ESA on Galileo navigation and PNT infrastructure. Together with co-founders Stijn Lafontaine (CTO) and Anton Liegert (COO), he has already conducted successful tests with the German army, with an upcoming demonstration in Ukraine. Proving the ultimate power of collaborative innovation, Arqus won the EUDIS Hackathon 2026 and ranked third in EUDIS's pan-European defence ranking. See more information: https://lnkd.in/eDKQ45rs EU Space EU Special Envoy for Space Andrius Kubilius EUSPA - EU Agency for the Space Programme EU Defence and Security EIC - European Innovation Council European Investment Bank (EIB) European Commission European Defence Alliance EDN - European Defence Network Vera Pinto Gomes Rodrigo da Costa Michiel Scheffer 🇪🇺 European Defence Agency European Space Agency - ESA Rob Jetten Derk Boswijk NLR - Netherlands Aerospace Centre TNO Airbus Defence and Space Thales Alenia Space Thales German Aerospace Center (DLR) Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid Ministerie van Defensie Municipality of Noordwijk Delft University of Technology TU Delft | Mechanical Engineering TU Delft Alumni Aerospace Engineering Delft Robotics Student Association (RSA) TU Delft | Industrial Design Engineering

𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨-𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩, 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐳, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 🎶: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 NL Space Campus 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 & 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐱 Dialogue for Space. During the 45-minute workshop at CometLab, we are honoured to announce our speaker, Major David de Groot, who will guide us through the Ministerie van Defensie approaches for innovation, technology, and partnerships within the Space domain. 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐉𝐎𝐑 David de Groot Major David de Groot is an Air Force reserve officer and Innovation Manager at MIND -the externally focused innovation centre of the Directorate for Knowledge and Innovation (DK&I) within the Materiel and IT Command (part of the Ministerie van Defensie). His expertise is in Aerospace Systems, and he serves as the Space liaison officer for DK&I. His participation carries a special significance for #7 DFS, an ODE to Partnerships. Earlier this year, Major de Groot served as a mentor and advisor during the EUDIS NL 2025 Hackathon, helping innovators navigate the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of airspace, defence, and technology, and where the founders of DFS crossed paths. Today, he joins forces with us once again to continue fostering collaboration across sectors. 🚀🇳🇱-🇪🇺 We look forward to an inspiring Dialogue for Space on how meaningful partnerships can accelerate technological progress and strengthen the innovation ecosystem not only in the Netherlands but also for EU Defence and Security and NL Space / EU Space. Sign up for the 𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 & 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 × 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄 #7 𝐄𝐍𝐃-𝐎𝐅-𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 25: 𝐀𝐧 𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬  🤝 🔗 link in first comment.

📅 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 25, 2026 | 16:30 - 20:00 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐣𝐚𝐳𝐳, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝? Every last Thursday of the month NL Space Campus hosts a monthly networking event: the NL Space Campus Network & Drinks, together with Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk (SBIC) and other partners. It connects the community, welcomes new community members (including non-space parties!), generates new ideas and kickstarts new initiatives together! Dialogue for Space is proud to unite for this Network & Drinks edition as a new and growing initiative to simulate the monthly participation of all youth. DFS is an initiative with the mission to create visibility and access for early career-professionals in the European space sector. Through dialogue sessions, a shared stage, and a growing community, it connects the next-generation with experienced professionals. Joining forces, we are proud to feature our incredible contributors for this special edition: ★Paulien Janssen (TNO) ★Alexandra Dousi- De Vogel (NLSA) ★Jean-Luc Eggen (RVO) ★David de Groot (MIND BASE, COMMIT)  ★Sonia Srikuruwal (VC) ★Festive Opening with Maaike Smelter (NL Space Campus), a pitch from EUDIS NL Hackathon 2026 winner Marnix Meersman (Arqus Aerospace), and Artist Lara Deutz and Jazz Band. See you at the 𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 & 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 × 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄 #7 𝐄𝐍𝐃-𝐎𝐅-𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 25: 𝐀𝐧 𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬  🤝 🔗 Sign up through the link in first comment.

𝐀 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫… 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?! In two days, celebrate the partnerships in your own space journey at the EU funding and partnerships workshop, then savour some orange drinks at the NL Space Campus Network & Drinks event🥂🍊 Looking to initiate your space idea? Building the right consortium is essential to making it happen. In this 45-𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩, you will receive an overview of how to get started. To guide us towards a collaborative and sustainable space future, we are delighted to announce that Paulien Janssen from TNO will be taking the stage at our 𝐡𝐲𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝 #7 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩: 𝐀𝐧 𝐎𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬. About Paulien Janssen Paulien Janssen is a Business Developer for Space Safety & Sustainability at TNO. In this role, she drives the technological innovations needed to keep our orbital infrastructure sustainable and future-proof. Her main focus is on technology development for in-orbit servicing and Space Situational Awareness (SSA), which protects vital space assets from the threat of space debris. Through her work, Paulien Janssen makes a significant contribution to long-term orbital sustainability. Seats are limited.  📅 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: 25 June | 16:30 CET 📍 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: CometLab, Noordwijk + Online  👉 Secure your seat and drink by signing up via the link in the first comment.