In the quiet countryside of the Netherlands, a movement is gaining momentum. Groups of ordinary Dutch citizens—engineers, scientists, farmers, and dreamers—are uniting around an extraordinary goal: to leave Earth behind and begin anew on a distant planet. For these pioneers, the decision to venture beyond Earth’s atmosphere is deeply personal, fueled by the lingering unease following the Thargoid war and the growing instability of life on their homeworld.
"I never thought I’d want to leave Earth," says Marijke van den Berg, a former teacher from Utrecht. "But after the war, it just doesn’t feel like home anymore. The sky doesn’t look the same, and every day feels like it’s borrowed time. I want my children to grow up somewhere safe, where we can build something lasting."
This sentiment is echoed by Pieter Janssen, an agricultural engineer from Groningen. Pieter has spent the past five years researching sustainable farming methods that could work on alien soils. "The Earth is our cradle, but even the cradle is shaking," he says. "We’ve been given the chance to take what we’ve learned here and start fresh. How can we not take it?"
The group’s aspirations are ambitious, but they are not alone. Across the Federation, there is a growing call for initiatives to colonize new worlds, driven by the desire for security and renewal in the wake of the Thargoid conflict. Yet, the Dutch contingent stands out for its grassroots nature and its strong sense of community.
"It’s not just about survival," says Fatima El Ghazi, a physicist from Rotterdam who has joined the effort. "It’s about who we are as people. The Dutch have always been explorers, builders, innovators. This is just the next horizon."
The specifics of the planet they hope to colonize remain undisclosed, a decision the group made to prevent a rush of interest from competing parties. What is clear is that they are serious about their preparations. Collaborations with aerospace engineers, biologists, and even artists have begun to shape what their new society might look like.
"We’re designing a world that reflects the best of what we can be," says Johan de Vries, an architect involved in the project. "Sustainable cities, equitable systems, and a culture that values curiosity and compassion. It’s not just about escaping Earth—it’s about creating a future worth living for."
The Federation has yet to officially sanction their plans, but advocates within the movement are hopeful. "This isn’t just a Dutch dream," says Fatima. "It’s a human dream. We’re showing what’s possible when ordinary people come together with extraordinary determination."
For now, their eyes remain fixed on the stars and the hope of a new beginning. As Marijke puts it, "We may be leaving Earth, but we’re taking its spirit with us."
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What do you think of the Dutch efforts to reach the stars? Share your thoughts with us and join the conversation.
"I never thought I’d want to leave Earth," says Marijke van den Berg, a former teacher from Utrecht. "But after the war, it just doesn’t feel like home anymore. The sky doesn’t look the same, and every day feels like it’s borrowed time. I want my children to grow up somewhere safe, where we can build something lasting."
This sentiment is echoed by Pieter Janssen, an agricultural engineer from Groningen. Pieter has spent the past five years researching sustainable farming methods that could work on alien soils. "The Earth is our cradle, but even the cradle is shaking," he says. "We’ve been given the chance to take what we’ve learned here and start fresh. How can we not take it?"
The group’s aspirations are ambitious, but they are not alone. Across the Federation, there is a growing call for initiatives to colonize new worlds, driven by the desire for security and renewal in the wake of the Thargoid conflict. Yet, the Dutch contingent stands out for its grassroots nature and its strong sense of community.
"It’s not just about survival," says Fatima El Ghazi, a physicist from Rotterdam who has joined the effort. "It’s about who we are as people. The Dutch have always been explorers, builders, innovators. This is just the next horizon."
The specifics of the planet they hope to colonize remain undisclosed, a decision the group made to prevent a rush of interest from competing parties. What is clear is that they are serious about their preparations. Collaborations with aerospace engineers, biologists, and even artists have begun to shape what their new society might look like.
"We’re designing a world that reflects the best of what we can be," says Johan de Vries, an architect involved in the project. "Sustainable cities, equitable systems, and a culture that values curiosity and compassion. It’s not just about escaping Earth—it’s about creating a future worth living for."
The Federation has yet to officially sanction their plans, but advocates within the movement are hopeful. "This isn’t just a Dutch dream," says Fatima. "It’s a human dream. We’re showing what’s possible when ordinary people come together with extraordinary determination."
For now, their eyes remain fixed on the stars and the hope of a new beginning. As Marijke puts it, "We may be leaving Earth, but we’re taking its spirit with us."
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What do you think of the Dutch efforts to reach the stars? Share your thoughts with us and join the conversation.