SRON’s mission is to bring about breakthroughs in international space research. The institute develops pioneering technology and space instruments to conduct fundamental research in the fields of astrophysics, earth observation, exoplanets and technology. As national expertise institute SRON advises the Dutch government and coordinates – from a science standpoint – national contributions to interna tional space missions.

SRON’s scientific program focuses on the evolution and history of the Universe, on climate change and air quality on Earth, on the atmospheres of planets outside our solar system and on the development of detection technology. This is packaged into four program lines: Astrophysics, Exo planets, Earth and Technology. These are supported by two expertise groups: Instrument Science and Engineering.