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On 22 May 2018, the State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (on behalf of the Ministries of Education, Culture and Science, and Infrastructure and Water Management) submitted the evaluation report on the Dutch Space Policy 2012-2016 and the corresponding government stance to the Dutch House of Representatives (see letter to Parliament).
To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the space policy pursued – a mix of numerous larger and smaller instruments - a desk study, (group) interviews, and an online survey were conducted. For each objective (ex post), the main challenges were first identified, followed by an examination of the policy instruments addressing them. Information from various sources was then combined to make statements about effectiveness and efficiency. Additionally, a policy scan was carried out for Belgium, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The evaluation resulted in the following conclusions:
- The Dutch space policy has successfully initiated a gradual transition, actively promoting downstream applications in addition to the traditional upstream focus on space activities.
- Regarding contribution to a healthy space sector, the accessibility and transparency of the decision-making process concerning the Dutch space strategy could be enhanced.
- While progress has been made in promoting and showcasing space application possibilities, the government's role as a (launching) customer remains underutilised.
- ESTEC is a valuable asset requiring continuous efforts for preservation and integration.
- Interdepartmental cooperation in space policy has increased, yet the development and implementation of activities do not consistently occur in a coordinated manner.
