German Aerospace Center

The German Aerospace Center (German: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.; DLR) is Germany's research and technology organisation for aeronautics and space. It conducts research for these fields, as well as in energy, transport, security and defence. The German Space Agency at the DLR is Germany's space agency. DLR also serves as a project management agency (Projektträger) both nationally and internationally. DLR is headquartered in Cologne. It operates at 30 locations across Germany with 51 institutes, facilities and competence centres. DLR employs a total of 11,786 people (as of 2024). DLR is actively engaged in European and international research networks and maintains offices in Brussels, Paris, Washington D.C. and Tokyo. It also collaborates with several international research infrastructures, including Andøya, Norway (launch site for sounding rockets), Almería, Spain (research, development and test centre for concentrating solar technologies), Évora, Portugal (solar field with parabolic trough test facility for molten salt), Gars O'Higgins, Antarctica (satellite data receiving station), Inuvik, Canada (satellite data reception station), and Kiruna, Sweden (launch site for sounding rockets). History 1907 to 1945 The origins of aeronautics and space research in Germany date back to 1907, when Ludwig Prandtl founded the MVA, the Modellversuchsanstalt für Aerodynamik der Motorluftschiff-Studiengesellschaft in Göttingen, which later became the Aerodynamics Research Institute (Aerodynamische Versuchsanstalt; AVA). Other important predecessors include the German Experimental Institute for Aviation (Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt; DVL) in Berlin-Adlershof, founded in 1912; the German Aeronautical Research Institute (Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Luftfahrt; DFL) in Braunschweig, founded in 1936; and the Aeronautical Radio Research Institute Oberpfaffenhofen (Flugfunk Forschungsinstitut Oberpfaffenhofen; FFO), founded in 1937 and led by Max Dieckmann. During the Nazi era, these institutions were involved in armaments research and, in some cases, made use of forced labour. The predecessor of today's Institute of Aerospace Medicine (Institut für Luft- und Raumfahrtmedizin) was involved in human experiments, in which physician Siegfried Ruff played a central role. 1946 to 1969 After the World War II, aeronautical research was initially subject to Allied restrictions. Reconstruction began in the 1950s, particularly in Bavaria, where the FFO was integrated into the DVL. Since 1969 By the late 1960s, the fragmented research landscape was considered unsustainable, despite strong resistance from individual stakeholders. In 1969, the German Research and Test Institute for Aviation and Space Flight (Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsanstalt für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DFVLR) was founded through the merger of the DVL, AVA, DFL and other institutes. In 1989, it was renamed the German Research Institute for Aviation and Spaceflight (Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and in 1997 it merged with the German Agency for Spaceflight Affairs (Deutsche Agentur für Raumfahrtangelegenheiten; DARA), forming the present-day DLR. Organisation Core activities DLR conducts research and development with a focus on aeronautics, space, energy, transport, security and defence. As an independent organisational unit alongside the research institutes, the German Space Agency at DLR is responsible for planning and implementing Germany's space activities on behalf of the German Federal Government. Other independent organisational units are Projektträger (DLR's project management agency) and, for aviation, the Programme Management Agency for Aviation Research. Both oversee funding programmes and promote knowledge transfer. Funding DLR's institutional research is funded by the federal government and by the federal states in which it has sites. DLR also raises third-party funds. In 2024, DLR's total funding amounted to 1.701 billion euros. The federal and state governments contributed 52.9 per cent of this, while 47.1 per cent came from third-party funding. Memberships Among others, DLR is a member of the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS), the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) and the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres. Research overview DLR conducts research in the key areas of aeronautics, space, energy and transport, as well as the cross-cutting fields of security, defence and digitalisation. Its focus is on the development of new applications as well as the associated societal, technological and economic challenges. DLR collaborates with public stakeholders – including ministries, local authorities and agencies – providing data and evidence to support decision-making. It also cooperates with industry. DLR's goal is to drive innovation and technology transfer, contributing to practical new technical and technological applications, developing intellectual property rights and licences and supporting startups. Aeronautics DLR's aeronautics research focuses on climate-compatible and safe aviation, including efficient, low-emission electric propulsion systems, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), aerodynamics, noise reduction and assistance systems. With its research infrastructure, including test benches and research aircraft, DLR carries out projects on environmentally compatible fuels, propulsion technologies, aerodynamics and atmospheric research. The respective research infrastructure includes wind tunnels in Göttingen and Braunschweig for airflow testing, as well as the ACT/FHS Flying Helicopter Simulator. Space DLR's space research develops concepts for earth observation, communication and navigation. It develops, tests and qualifies space technologies. With a focus on sustainability, it focuses on reusable space systems, environmentally compatible fuels, maintainable satellites and space debris removal. DLR's exploration projects are carried out within international collaborations and target destinations both within and outside the Solar System, such as the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission to Mars's moon Phobos – a German-French-Japanese collaboration. DLR conducts research under space conditions, using sounding rockets to carry experiments to the edge of space. DLR also operates the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) and supports decision-makers and disaster relief teams on the ground and in crisis situations worldwide through its Center for Satellite-Based Crisis Information (Zentrum für satellitengestützte Kriseninformation, ZKI). Energy DLR's energy research focuses on solutions in electricity, heat and chemical energy carriers. Through numerous projects, it investigates concepts for renewable energy generation, storage and conversion. The energy research area operates 64 test and experimental facilities, advancing projects to high levels of technology readiness. Research includes technology concepts for generating electricity and hydrogen from renewable sources, the development of efficient energy storage systems and the modelling and simulation of entire energy systems. At the Wind Energy Research Park (WiValdi) in Krummendeich, DLR is researching quieter and more cost-effective wind turbines. DLR also operates solar tower power plants in Jülich and at the Plataforma Solar de Almería, in collaboration with the Spanish research institute CIEMAT. Transport DLR's transport research focuses on the development of technological solutions for rail, road and maritime transport. Through a wide range of projects, DLR is working to promote safe, future-proof mobility and to make transport more sustainable through climate-compatible propulsion concepts. The respective infrastructure includes autonomous research vehicles, test benches, simulators, as well as measurement and test tracks. These facilities enable DLR to conduct research into both concepts that affect the transport system as a whole and vehicle concepts such as the Next Generation Car family, as well as their subsystems. DLR is also active in maritime traffic management and implements projects on emission-free shipping, automated assistance systems and transport chain coordination at the national and international levels. Security and defence DLR contributes to the development, testing and evaluation of security- and defence-related technologies. Its strategic focus encompasses the protection and monitoring of critical infrastructure, crisis and disaster management, border security and protection against terrorism. Digitalisation DLR's research into digitalisation aims to provide impulses for industry and to develop new technologies, methods and processes in an application-oriented manner, deploying them in research and research management. Key areas include artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. German Space Agency at DLR Organisation and legal basis The German Space Agency at DLR serves as Germany's national space agency. It is based in Bonn and employs approximately 350 people. Part of DLR, it coordinates all German space activities. The federal government has assigned DLR sovereign tasks in the field of spaceflight under the Space Affairs Delegation Act (Raumfahrtaufgabenübertragungsgesetz; RAÜG). Key responsibilities Central tasks of the agency include: Programme planning: development and management of the national space programme and budget International representation: representing Germany in international space organisations and managing German contributions to ESA and EUMETSAT Consulting and strategy: advising the German Federal Government and implementing the national space strategy Management functions include: Research funding: support and financing of research experiments under space conditions, such as parabolic flight campaigns Technology transfer: promoting commercialisation, innovation and competitiveness in the space industry Digitalisation: advancing digitalisation and the development of innovative space technologies Societal responsibilities include: Climate protection and the environment: providing data to support climate protection and environmental monitoring through space missions Public outreach and education: informing the public and fostering interest in space, particularly among young people Security and defence: contributing to national security, including operation of the Space Situational Awareness Centre together with the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) Project management services Fundamental tasks DLR operates two independent project management units with distinct service profiles and thematic priorities. DLR Projektträger Since 1975, DLR Projektträger has been part of DLR and acts as a service provider for the management of research, education and innovation programmes on behalf of federal and state ministries, the European Commission and other organisations. It develops strategies, manages funding programmes and projects, facilitates expert and public dialogue and supports the exploitation of knowledge. Programme Management Agency for Aviation Research Since 1994, the Programme Management Agency for Aviation Research has been a distinct organisational unit of DLR. It acts as the central service institution for aeronautics research in Germany. The agency supports the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie; BMWE) in implementing the LuFo Climate federal civil aviation research programme (Luftfahrtforschungsprogramm des Bundes; LuFo Klima). As the national contact point for aeronautics research within the EU Framework Programme, the Programme Management Agency for Aeronautics Research coordinates collaboration with European partners and programmes. Research aircraft DLR operates Europe's largest research aircraft fleet. Overview Gallery Research and development activities Aeronautics ALICIA The ALICIA project (Aviation Life Cycle and Impact Assessment) is developing a digital assessment platform to systematically and comparatively analyse the climate, environmental and economic impacts of new aircraft technologies and aviation procedures across their entire life cycle. Its aim is to provide industry and policymakers with a well-founded basis for decision-making on climate-compatible and sustainable aviation, including an interactive dashboard for scenario comparisons and simulations. EXACT The EXACT project ("Exploration of Electric Aircraft Concepts and Technologies") is one of the most comprehensive studies addressing the development of climate-friendly and economically viable aircraft concepts. It systematically compares technologies such as hydrogen, batteries and sustainable aviation fuels and aims to develop and evaluate realistic aircraft designs for deployment from 2040 onwards. The project involves up to 20 DLR institutes and numerous external partners. HAP-alpha The HAP-alpha project is developing a solar-powered, unmanned stratospheric platform with a wingspan of 27 metres and a weight of under 140 kg. Designed as a technological demonstrator in the lower stratosphere, it is intended to perform tasks for earth observation and communications as a flexible, serviceable alternative to satellites, enabling long-duration missions with a wide variety of payloads. A first low-altitude flight is planned for 2026. Emissions research DLR conducts research into CO2 and noise emissions in air traffic. In addition to exploring ways to reduce carbon dioxide input into the atmosphere, DLR also researches non-CO2 emissions such as contrails, which are likewise harmful to the climate. To this end, DLR conducted a 100-flight measurement programme together with DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung and selected airlines. DLR is also involved in research into sustainable fuels – without a fossil basis – in aviation. To avoid an increase in noise pollution from air traffic despite rising traffic volumes, DLR conducts dedicated research projects on noise reduction. Space German Space Operations Center The German Space Operations Center (GSOC) of DLR in Oberpfaffenhofen has been conducting spaceflight missions with a wide range of applications since 1969 – from commanding earth observation satellites to operating the Columbus module on the International Space Station. In addition, the "Human Exploration Control Center" (HECC) is being developed at GSOC to support European crewed missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. DLR joined the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters in 2010. The Center for Satellite-Based Crisis Information (ZKI) provides satellite imagery from its earth observation satellites for disaster coordination – including in the case of tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires and other natural disasters. TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X The Earth observation satellite TerraSAR-X entered service in 2008. The mission's aim is to supply users in research and industry with radar-based remote sensing data. The satellite can image the earth's surface in areas of 10 to 100 km with a resolution of up to 16 m. Since the launch of the twin satellite TanDEM-X in 2010, both have been orbiting the Earth in close formation, providing data for high-resolution digital elevation models of land structures. The radar images serve diverse applications, including topographic mapping, defence and security applications, crisis response planning and environmental monitoring. Research under space conditions In February 2008, the Columbus laboratory, Europe's central contribution to the International Space Station (ISS), was launched and docked to the ISS. The cylindrical module, with a diameter of 4.5 m, is equipped with modern research facilities, including a biology laboratory, a facility for fluid investigations and experimental units for materials science. Hundreds of experiments have already been conducted, serving research in materials sciences, medicine, biology and physics. DLR operates the Columbus Control Centre in Oberpfaffenhofen on behalf of ESA and is responsible for coordinating research activities as well as system operations and life support aboard the Columbus laboratory in orbit. Robotics DLR develops robots at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics intended to help humans interact more effectively and safely with their environment. Research spans system analysis and design, mechanical construction, electronics development, control engineering and dynamic simulation. In the field of space robotics, DLR develops robotic systems particularly for the exploration of distant celestial bodies that are inaccessible to humans due to distance or hostile conditions. HRSC on Mars Express The High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) is Germany's most important contribution to the Mars Express mission of the European Space Agency ESA. Originally developed for Mars 96 at DLR's Institute of Planetary Research, the camera images the Martian surface at resolutions of 10 to 30 m and enables three-dimensional analysis. Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) The launch of the Japanese spacecraft Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) is planned for 2026. It will orbit Phobos and Deimos and bring back samples from Phobos for the first time. The mission aims to clarify the origin of the Martian moons. Led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), DLR is collaborating with a number of international partners. The mission is scheduled to last until 2031. Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) JUICE is ESA's current flagship mission to Jupiter and its three largest ice-covered moons: Ganymede, Europa and Callisto. The orbiter was launched on 14 April 2023 and is expected to reach the Jupiter system in 2031. The mission's goal is to investigate the internal structure, oceans and potential habitability of these moons, and to gather evidence of subsurface oceans and their geodynamics. DLR is a project partner, contributing measuring instruments, a specialised camera and data analysis. Artemis II Artemis II was the first crewed lunar fly-by mission of NASA’s Artemis program and was completed in April 2026. The crew flew around the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft and returned safely to Earth after about ten days. During the mission, Orion’s life-support and other critical systems were tested under real spaceflight conditions with astronauts on board for the first time. The mission provided experience for future crewed lunar missions and planned lunar landings. DLR contributed radiation detectors. Artemis II also carried the small satellite TACHELES, which tested electronic components for a future lunar rover on its journey toward the Moon. Energy Wind energy At Krummendeich, DLR is developing the Wind Energy Research Park (WiValdi) together with research partners, testing new technologies and rotor blades under real conditions. The aim is to develop efficient wind turbines that are climate-compatible and sustainable. Solar energy In 2007, the world's first commercially operated solar tower power plant, the PS10, went into operation near Sanlúcar la Mayor (Spain). DLR was involved in the technology development for this type of power plant. The Jülich solar tower power plant, in operation since 2008, concentrates the light of more than 2,000 computer-controlled mirrors (heliostats), generating air heated to up to 700 °C. Research focuses on the further development and testing of receivers, storage technologies and processes for the energy transition, including the production of climate-neutral fuels (e.g. hydrogen, synthetic kerosene) and high-temperature industrial processes. DLR uses test facilities at sites in Cologne, Stuttgart and Jülich for its own research, as well as the Plataforma Solar de Almería, the European test centre for concentrating solar technologies operated by the Spanish research organisation CIEMAT. Power to Liquid (TPP Leuna) In Leuna, Europe's largest research and demonstration plant for the production of electricity-based, synthetic fuels (power-to-liquid; PtL) is currently being built. DLR is constructing the "Technology Platform for Power-to-Liquid Fuels" (TPP), which can produce up to 2,500 tonnes of CO₂-neutral aviation fuel and other e-fuels per year. The aim is the industrial scaling and optimisation of processes for the production of synthetic kerosene and other e-fuels from renewable electricity, CO₂ and hydrogen. Hydrogen As part of its wide-ranging hydrogen research, DLR also investigates the possibilities and conditions for converting the world's aircraft fleet to hydrogen propulsion. DLR scientists have worked on hydrosol projects, through which it was first possible to thermally split water into hydrogen and oxygen using solar energy, without CO₂ emissions. For this, the team was awarded the Descartes Prize of the European Commission for research in 2007, together with other working groups. Transport Transport systems The DLR MovingLab is a data collection system for transport research that automatically records mobility data via smartphone apps and sensors. The platform enables longitudinal studies on journeys, modes of transport used and their combination – going beyond the capabilities of traditional surveys. It provides well-founded data on real mobility behaviour in order to analyse new mobility concepts, public offerings (carsharing, autonomous driving) and their social use in detail. Road transport The DLR Next Generation Car (NGC) family bundles research on the development of future road vehicles. Focus areas include new mobility concepts, lightweight construction, digitalisation, automated driving and climate-friendly propulsion technologies – in particular electric mobility, hydrogen and hybrid systems. The NGC family encompasses various vehicle types, including the autonomous, driverless, electric U-Shift vehicle concept, the Safe Light Regional Vehicle (SLRV) for regional mobility, the Urban Modular Vehicle (UMV) for urban areas and the Interurban Vehicle for longer distances. Rail transport The Next Generation Train project at DLR, running since 2007, is a comprehensive research programme for the development of novel trains. Areas of focus include lightweight construction, energy savings, noise reduction, drive modularity, passenger comfort, the design and optimisation of life cycles and improved accident prevention. The concept addresses new high-speed trains with speeds of up to 400 km/h, regional feeder trains and freight trains. Further reading Reinke, Niklas (2004). Geschichte der deutschen Raumfahrtpolitik. Konzepte, Einflussfaktoren und Interdependenzen 1923–2002. Schriften des Forschungsinstituts der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik e. V., Berlin. Internationale Politik und Wirtschaft, Bd. 71. München: Oldenbourg. ISBN 3-486-56842-6. Helmuth Trischler (1992). Luft- und Raumfahrtforschung in Deutschland 1900–1970. Politische Geschichte einer Wissenschaft. Studien zur Geschichte der deutschen Großforschungseinrichtungen, Bd. 4. Frankfurt/New York: Campus. ISBN 978-3-593-34586-4. See also List of aerospace flight test centres List of government space agencies References External links Official website of the German Aerospace Center History of DLR DLR sites and offices Literature by and about German Aerospace Center in the German National Library catalogue 50°51′10.282″N 7°7′23.430″E