Event Reports
How fusion reaches new frontiers: Dutch Fusion Day 2025
‘The only thing that is harder than doing fusion, is raising funds for fusion.’ This statement by key note speaker Klaas de Boer resonated well with the nearly 200 participants of the second Dutch Fusion Day, hosted by DIFFER and co-organized by TU/e EIRES and BigScienceNL on May 9, 2025. A myriad of speakers covered business, research and governmental perspectives on the next and now of nuclear fusion.
IBF/25
The IBF/25 was a very successful event, with strong visibility for Big Science NL and the Dutch industry. It provided an excellent platform to strengthen existing relationships, build new connections, and highlight the expertise of Dutch companies and research organizations in the fusion sector.
Nationaal Congres Autonomous systems 2025
Are we on the eve of the Autonomy economy? Users are excited and can't wait, technology providers are seizing the opportunity to develop more content and strengthen their position as a solution provider. The Netherlands seems well positioned to become a fore runner in the Autonomy Economy. During the first National Congress Autonomous Systems we bring together users, technology suppliers, companies, scientists and policy makers to discover the possibilities of autonomous systems and how we can use them responsibly and effectively.
RVO Innovatiemissie Neuromorphic Compute (UK)
In late March 2025 a who's who of Dutch experts in Neuromorphic and brain-inspired computing and its applications were invited by RVO (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland) and the Dutch embassy in the UK for an innovation mission to London to investigate potential collaborations with the British neuromorphic community. ASTRON was part of the mission.
NOVA 25 Symposium
The NOVA 25 Symposium, celebrating 25 years of the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy (NOVA), took place on 12-13 December 2024 at the World Forum in The Hague. The two-day event highlighted NOVA’s achievements in astronomy, including science breakthroughs, advanced instrumentation, and industry collaborations. Modern day astronomy is all about collaboration, within The Netherlands (NOVA), within Europe (European Southern Observatory ESO, with the Very Large Telescope and Extremely Large Telescope), and globally (NASA-ESA Space Observatories like James Webb and Habitable Worlds Observatory). The Netherlands is a champion in such collaborations.
Big Science in the 21st century event
This one-day event was organized by the Danish Technological Institute (DTI) and The European Spallation Source (ESS), the RI hosted by Sweden and Denmark. The program included keynote talks by decision makers in Big Science, the book launch of the book "Big Science in the 21st century" and the signing of an MoU between the Danish Technological Institute and ESS. DTI, the Danish equivalent of TNO, is coordinating the Danish ILO network.
We used the opportunity of this meeting to meet and talk to many persons about the BSBF2026.
Space Tech Expo Bremen
The Space Tech Expo Europe, taking place in Bremen from 19-21 November 2024, is Europe’s largest B2B space industry event, bringing together over 700 exhibitors and 8000 industry professionals. Alongside a dynamic program of conferences and pre-arranged B2B meetings, it offers a platform for showcasing innovations in satellite technology, launch systems, and cutting-edge in-orbit solutions.
Precision Fair 2024
The yearly Precision Fair, organised by Mikrocentrum, brought many people to the Brabanthallen in Den Bosch. The BigScience.NL stand was prominently located near the entrance and attracted many visitors together with the neighbouring stand focused on the Einstein Telescope. The Dutch industrial liaison officers showed examples of technologies used at CERN, ITER and in space. They visited many stands to meet companies , understand their compentences and connect them with their respective Big Science Organisation for future contracts or collaboration.