The end is a new beginning

In the 13 years since 1996, Delta-Utec Space has been one of the most prolific satellite and space experiment builders in the Netherlands, and acquired a foremost position in the world on sustainable space transportation using Space Tethers, Star Sensor software and Small Satellite Systems Engineering.

In addition, about 120 young engineers from 25 countries started their career on our premises, often with unique hands-on work. With this background in their pocket, they went off to make their way into the space world. Hundreds more around the world worked on our inspiring projects remotely. Delta-Utec has thus been a real, European incubator for space ideas and initiatives.

TeamSat, the YES1 and YES2 satellites; the Fotino and inflatable re-entry capsules; the tether deployment test facilities and a record-breaking 32 km deployment in space; the SSATT star sensor tool, the ALBATROS tool, the discovery and exact location of the Peaks of Eternal Light on the Moon: they are some of the notable achievements of our company. The TeamSat/YES1 success lead to co-located ESA projects such as EuroMoon and the set-up of the successful Concurrent Design Facility at ESTEC. They were also an inspiration for the SSETI project that lead to the SSETI Express student satellite.

Our goal has always been to show that with not much more than persistence and dedication, you can make your dreams alive. Together with our highly motivated employees, Erik and I have demonstrated this. Various enthusiastic employees have now started their own innovative companies: a new generation has taken the initiative. We think it is time to make room for their dreams.

We hope that tether technology will continue to move forward. Michiel is completing his PhD on this topic and will continue his career at ESTEC in a different field : Integrated Applications Promotion. Erik is involved in ACS development at Bradford Engineering, always a supporter of YES2 and our tether technology developments. A new SpaceMail experiment is in the planning and there are many roads that lead forward. Delta-Utec will close per 1 September 2009 (over 14 years after we conjured up the acronym : DUtch TEther Company), but its legacy lives on!