NVR Galaxy Gala: celebrating 75 years of the NVR

On Friday 18 September, the NVR community came together at De Schaapskooi in Delft for a very special edition of the NVR Galaxy Gala to celebrate 75 years of the Netherlands Space Society.

It was an evening to look back, look ahead, and above all, celebrate the people who make the NVR what it is: a community brought together by curiosity, a passion for space, and a shared enthusiasm for exploring what lies beyond our planet.

The evening began with a festive dinner, giving members, guests and friends of the NVR plenty of time to meet, catch up and share stories. A highlight of the evening was the speech by the new NVR Chair Philippe Schoonejans, reflecting on the NVR’s journey over the past 75 years and on the importance of keeping our community connected as the space sector continues to evolve. And, of course, the amazing band Moonshine Project that accompanied dinner: https://www.moonshineproject.nl/

From the history of spaceflight to the future of space exploration, the anniversary provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, and to look forward to what is still to come.

As the dinner came to an end, the evening shifted into celebration mode. More guests joined for drinks, music and dancing, with the Galaxy Gala turning into a lively party that continued well into the night.

Of course, an anniversary is about more than a date or a number. It is about the people, ideas and shared experiences that make an organisation endure. With more than 1,100 members today, the NVR continues to bring together students, young professionals, experienced experts and space enthusiasts from across the Netherlands.

The Galaxy Gala was a wonderful reminder of that community spirit.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, to the NVR Events Committee for making the evening possible, and to everyone who has contributed to the NVR over the past 75 years.
And this is only the beginning of our anniversary celebrations. 🚀

Enjoy a selection of photographs from the evening below and relive some of the highlights of a night spent celebrating 75 years of curiosity, connection and spaceflight.