At present work is going ahead in Holland on the construction of the very promising Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS. The Dutch aircraft industry has been encouraged by the great success of the first Netherlands Astronomical Satellite, ANS, to develop space‐flight technology programmes. The existence of an aerospace industry in Holland is also due to other factors such as active government support, the commercial success of the Dutch Fokker F27 and F28 aircraft, and the intensive research programmes of the astronomical departments of several Dutch universities. This article deals briefly with various developments in the industry.