Presentations regarding the Dutch Space Sector

1.30 pm – 2.00 PM: Philippe Schoonejans (ESA)
European Robotic Arm for ISS (ERA) – a story of perseverance

Built by Airbus NL, the ERA is the largest Dutch space project to date and one of, if not the longest running ESA project ever. Started in the eighties and nineties it had to overcome the cancellation of the European space shuttle Hermes, several changes of the plans for the ISS, its new working location, and a series of launch delays. Since 2021 ERA is on ISS and after an extensive in-orbit validation it has flawlessly executed its first major tasks on the Russian segment of the ISS. Operated jointly from ISS and mission control centers in Moscow and Noordwijk, ERA has provided Europe with precious experience on space robots and how to operate them.

2.00 pm – 2.30 PM: Rob van Hassel (Airbus)
Solar Panels on Orion

Airbus Netherlands BV designed and built the solar arrays for the first Orion spacecraft. The heavy launcher, the trans-lunar/earth injections, the moon eclipse, and last but not least the human aspect: they impose extraordinary requirements on the solar panels. How to overcome these challenges?

2.30 pm – 3.00 PM: Chris Verhoeven (TU Delft)
Lunar Zebro: Rovers

The Lunar Zebro project aims to build simple, autonomous swarm robots to establish a reliable, self-deploying, and self-repairing infrastructure for navigation and communication on the surface and in caves and lava tunnels on the Moon and Mars. This infrastructure will be vital for enhancing the safety and effectiveness of astronauts and larger rovers. Swarms are also well-suited for conducting large-scale scientific missions.

3.00 – 3.30 PM Coffee break

3.30 pm – 4.00 PM: Dimitri Stefoudi (Universiteit Leiden)
Legal perspectives of lunar exploration

International space law emerged in the early years of space exploration, driven by the need of countries to regulate this new field and ensure that outer space remains a peaceful domain. The freedom to use, explore, and scientifically investigate outer space was established as a fundamental space law principle. It allows countries to engage in space ventures regardless of their space-faring capabilities or level of economic and other development. The legal framework for lunar exploration also addresses the preservation of the space environment, the use of space resources, and cooperation among countries.

This lecture will introduce the provisions of international space law that are relevant to lunar exploration and to activities on the Moon.

4.00 pm – 4.30 PM: Layla van Ellen (TU Delft)
Extreme Architecture: building on Mars

Space Architecture is the field that deals will the challenges of building in extreme environments on Earth and in space. What are the challenges of building for the extreme and remote environment of the planet Mars. To address these challenges, the combined use of in situ resources and novel biotechnologies will be vital to build habitats on Mars.

4.30 pm – 5.00 PM: Wieger Wamelink (WUR)
Space Farming: growing food on Mars

What are the developments related to growing food in space, and what have we discovered in recent years through experimental research? How are these techniques not only important for future missions in space but can also contribute to revitalizing depleted agricultural lands on Earth?