Heritage

Since the late 1960s, Airbus has been a committed partner of the Dutch Aerospace and Defence industry, contributing to and benefiting from the Dutch tradition of innovation and excellence.
Airbus Netherlands B.V. originally evolved from the aircraft company NV Fokker. Founded by Anthony Fokker in 1912, the Dutch firm grew to become the largest aircraft company in the world during the 1920s. In the 1960s, Fokker launched its first space activities, as it was only a short step from designing lightweight yet robust aircraft components to developing complex technology suitable for spaceflight.

The first major space projects involving Dutch engineers were the ANS satellite (Astronomical Netherlands Satellite ), launched in 1974, and the IRAS satellite (Infrared Astronomical Satellite), launched in 1983. Both projects laid the foundation for new expertise, including attitude and orbit control systems, thermal control, electrical systems and systems engineering. In parallel during the 1970s, Fokker’s space department began developing solar arrays. Together, these activities led to the establishment of an independent company, Fokker Space & Systems. In 2002, the company was renamed Dutch Space, which was subsequently acquired by EADS Astrium in 2006.

By the start of the 21st century, Dutch Space had become the largest solar array supplier in Europe and a leading developer of structural components for European Ariane 5 and Vega launchers. In 2014, the company was renamed Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands B.V., and later became Airbus Netherlands B.V. in 2023 as part of its further integration into the global Airbus organisation.