What drives us strongly is what our work will ultimately bring about. For science, and for society.
Scientific impact
When at last the data streams down to earth and is carefully made available to scientists and policymakers, that’s when we can reap what we sow and answer our research questions.
Monitoring the atmosphere
Our methane research with Sentinel-5p is uploaded and visualised every week on the interactive methane world map we made for Europe’s earth observation program Copernicus. The United Nations uses our research in the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) to alert a country or company of their methane leak.
Making discoveries
In the universe, we can solve mysteries, around black holes or the formation of planets. With new technology, we will soon be able to examine exoplanets directly rather than indirectly, and even study their atmospheres.
Better describe how it works
There is another, less immediately visible, yet very big impact. Large amounts of data, as provided by new missions, greatly improve scientific models. Models are used to describe how something works. For example, when clouds burst with rain. Or a star explosion, or the devouring of a star by a black hole. With real measurement data, scientists can improve these models by a lot.
Societal Impact
How does our work impact society? When we take technology or engineering to the next level for our research, we engage our knowledge partners and companies. As a result, knowledge and technology driven by our research often find application outside of our research.
High-value knowledge and technology
SRON is actively involved within Holland High Tech, the Dutch top sector for High Tech Systems and Materials where business, knowledge institutes and governments collaborate on innovations. SRON not only provides input for roadmaps, for example for ‘Space‘ and ‘Advanced Instrumentation‘, but is also a partner in public-private partnership projects.
Education and training
SRON is no educational institution. But SRON’s knowledge is unique and we frequently pass it on. Colleagues give lectures at universities, universities of applied sciences and intermediate vocational schools. A lot of talent comes to us for PhDs, graduate studies and internships. We support scientists in the use of our data and provide training in the use of analysis software that we develop.
Sharing with the world what we do
We like to share with a wider audience the importance of our research and the contribution our science can make to the Netherlands. Also, we advocate with passion why space research is fantastic to do. We like to make new generations and all genders enthusiastic about science and technology. We therefore share what we do with open days, exhibitions, lectures, fairs and lessons.