A new theme has been added to the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus portfolio: ‘Space for Science and Society’, a collaborative programme with Space Campus Noordwijk, ESA-ESTEC and other regional partners.
The LDE universities already work closely together with great success on various space-related themes and, in some areas, with ESA-ESTEC (European Space Research and Technology Centre). The partners want to take this cooperation a step further by generating specific knowledge and expertise in collaboration with Space Campus Noordwijk and ESTEC and ultimately also with the broader network.
'The Leiden-Delft-Erasmus universities are looking forward to further developing this joint venture and our cooperation with partners in space-related industries. The Dutch space industry is clustered in the province of Zuid-Holland. Establishing even closer ties between this industry and the knowledge institutions in the province will create a valuable ecosystem that can make a significant contribution to the world,' says Prof. Wim van den Doel, Dean of Leiden-Delft-Erasmus.
Space steering committee
In the next few months, the programme will be further developed under the supervision of the newly appointed Space steering committee, in which all partners are represented: Esther Peters (Director-Manager of Space Campus Noordwijk), Dr Franco Ongaro (Director of ESAESTEC), Prof. Henri Werij (Dean of Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft), Prof. Michiel Kreutzer (Dean of the Faculty of Science at Leiden University), Prof. Daan Stam (Dean of Engagement & Partnerships at RSM, Erasmus University Rotterdam) and Prof. Wim van den Doel (Dean of Leiden-Delft-Erasmus).
Liaison officer
In order to strengthen cooperation in the field of space and space-related knowledge sharing and education, last summer Peter Batenburg (alumnus of Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft) was appointed Space Liaison Officer for Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Space and Space Campus Noordwijk. By creating this position, Space Campus Noordwijk and Leiden-Delft-Erasmus universities hope to bridge the gap between knowledge and the application of knowledge. The liaison officer will also play a bridging role between the business community’s and society’s current and future issues and the way in which the talented professionals of tomorrow are able to solve those issues.Batenburg: 'With Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft and Astronomy at Leiden University, the province of Zuid-Holland has a leading international reputation in aerospace technology and research. And these faculties aren’t the only ones working on space research and aerospace; 80% of the Dutch aerospace sector is located in Zuid-Holland – with ESA-ESTEC, the largest ESA centre with expertise in all areas of space, as the icing on the cake. We can do a lot and already do a great deal in many different areas. We are particularly strong in innovation and technology development for making the impossible possible.' Meet Peter Batenburg
The role of the Space Liaison Officer is to define a jointly formulated ambition and to realise this collaborative space programme alongside those who are active in the field of space (or space-related subjects) at the three universities as well as Space Campus Noordwijk (including ESA-ESTEC, the largest technical heart of ESA) and the broader space network, which is already involved in some areas.
Contact
Liaison officer Peter Batenburg can be contacted via pawbatenburg@gmail.com
If you have any questions about Leiden-Delft-Erasmus universities, please send an email to projectbureau-LDE@tudelft.nl.
