SPIE 2026

05-07-2026 - 10-07-2026

Dutch Astronomical Instrumentation Community Shines at SPIE 2026 in Copenhagen

5–10 July 2026, Copenhagen, Denmark
The astronomical engineering world gathered in Copenhagen for SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, the leading international conference on ground-based, airborne, and space-based telescopes and the instruments that power them. The event drew more than 3,000 attendees from across the globe, who took part in 13 simultaneous technical conferences featuring over 3,000 presentations on the latest research, technology, and project developments in astronomical instrumentation.

A Meeting Place for Science and Industry
Alongside the technical program, the conference hosted a large exhibition where research institutes, universities, and companies showcased the tools, components, and systems that make cutting-edge astronomy possible. The exhibition offered a unique opportunity to connect scientists and engineers with suppliers and partners who help bring ambitious telescope and instrument projects to life.

Dutch Astronomy and Industry Take Center Stage: The NL Pavilion
A highlight for the Dutch community was the NL Pavilion, present at the exhibition from 7 to 9 July. The pavilion brought together leading Dutch research institutes and companies under one roof, presenting the Netherlands' strength in astronomical instrumentation to an international audience.

Participating science institutes:

•    NOVA (Netherlands Research School for Astronomy)
•    SRON (Netherlands Institute for Space Research)
•    ASTRON (Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy)
•    TU Delft
•    TNO

Participating companies:

•    Demcon
•    Semiblocks
•    Cosine
•    Tiny Telescope

The NL Pavilion was made possible with support from BigScience.NL, the Embassy of The Netherlands in Denmark and RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency), as part of the strategic sector approach for HTSM (High Tech Systems and Materials), an initiative that strengthens the link between Dutch high-tech industry and world-class scientific research.

A Successful Networking Moment
A traditional highlight of the pavilion was its network reception, which this year drew an excellent turnout of high-profile international guests. The event provided a relaxed setting for informal conversations that often lead to new scientific collaborations and business opportunities — reinforcing the Netherlands' reputation as a valued partner in the global astronomical instrumentation community.

Looking Ahead
SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation 2026 once again demonstrated the vital role that international collaboration between scientists, engineers, and industry, plays in advancing the tools we use to explore the universe. With strong Dutch participation and a well-attended pavilion, the Netherlands continues to build its position as a key contributor to the future of astronomical instrumentation.