DLR - Earth Observation Center

Prof. Dr. Stefan Dech
Director DFD, Weßling

Prof.Dr. Richard Bamler
Director IMF, Weßling

Earth Observation Center - For Earth into Space

Dear visitors, welcome to the Earth Observation Center (EOC) of the DLR.
The EOC comprises the German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD) and the Remote SensingTechnology Institute (IMF), at work in Oberpfaffenhofen, Neustrelitz and Berlin-Adlershof. We conduct research in the field of remote sensing, and develop analytic methodologies and customized solutions for issues in environment and climate, mobility and planning, civil security, and prevention and management of natural catastrophes. We operate satellite receiving stations in Germany and abroad, distribute data and information products to users, and safeguard all data long-term. We cooperate closely with other research institutions, universities, public authorities and the private sector. We provide training for students in a number of science and engineering disciplines. Feel free to contact us for more information.

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SCIAMACHY Book Receives Award

February 06, 2012
In March 2002 SCIAMACHY was launched into low earth orbit on board the ENVISAT satellite. Since then the instrument—developed and provided by the space agencies of Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium—has led to detailed insights into the earth’s atmosphere and global climate change. With strong support from DLR, the Springer publishing house brought out In January 2011 as part of its Earth Sciences series the book SCIAMACHY – Exploring the Changing Earth’s Atmosphere, which describes all aspects of the SCIAMACHY mission. Atmospheric Science Librarians International (ASLI) has now awarded this book the designation ‘2011 ASLI Choice’ in the fields of meteorology, climatology and atmospheric sciences.

MdB Willsch visits EOC Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information

February 03, 2012
On February 3, 2012 Klaus-Peter Willsch, a member of the German parliament, visited the German Aerospace Center in Oberpfaffenhofen. At DLR’s Earth Observation Center (EOC), the chairman of the parliament’s Aeronautics and Space group was informed about the work of the Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI).

Remote Sensing Technology Institute: “Featured Location 2012”

February 03, 2012
DLR’s Remote Sensing Technology Institute (IMF) in Oberpfaffenhofen was selected as a “Featured Location 2012” based on its project “Flying Wildlife Finder.” This makes it one of the winners in the competition “365 locations in a country with ideas” organized by the nation-branding initiative “Germany – A Country with Ideas” in cooperation with Deutsche Bank. Under the patronage of the German president and Deutsche Bank this initiative annually awards a prize to 365 outstanding projects and ideas which are making a lasting contribution toward Germany’s ability to meet the challenges of the future. As an award winner, in 2012 IMF is an ambassador for the country with ideas and represents Germany’s potential for innovation.
In a long sequence of methodological experimentation and prototypes developed by IMF together with its partners in recent years to protect wild animals during the springtime mowing season, the “Flying Wildlife Finder” is a promising new approach.

Exhibition "Viewing Earth from Space": 75 years of research in Oberpfaffenhofen

January 24, 2012
This year Oberpfaffenhofen celebrates its 75th anniversary as a research locality. Commemorations began on January 24, 2012 with a vernissage at the Starnberg district administration offices, where the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Oberpfaffenhofen has assembled a collection of over 50 satellite images presenting an unusual look at Planet Earth. The "Viewing Earth from Space" exhibit was organized together with the business development agency gfw Starnberg mbH.

DLR to host IGARSS 2012

January 11, 2012
The "International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium", IGARSS for short, is the most prestigious symposium worldwide in the field of geoscience and remote sensing. Over 2,000 experts from more than 70 countries use this annual forum to share their latest research results, note research trends, and cultivate networking. Under the slogan "Remote Sensing for a Dynamic Earth" IGARSS 2012 will take place July 22 to 27 at the International Congress Centre Munich (ICM). This year’s event is hosted by DLR Oberpfaffenhofen together with the European Space Agency ESA, and IEEE, the largest engineering sciences association worldwide.

General Director of Mexican Space Agency at EOC

January 16, 2012
On January 17, 2012 a Mexican delegation accompanied by DLR Executive Board Chairman Prof. Johann-Dietrich Wörner visited the Earth Observation Center (EOC). The director of the reorganized Mexican Space Agency, Agencia Espacial Mexicana (Aexa), Mr. Javier Mendieta, his deputy Mr. Enrique Pacheco, and Mr. Enrique Palos from the Mexican Embassy were able to obtained first-hand information about the EOC’s current work and international cooperation.

Hyperspectrally into the New Year

Dezember 20, 2011
Right on schedule at the end of the year, the Norsk Elektro Optikk (NEO) company supplied DLR’s Earth Observation Center (EOC) in Oberpfaffenhofen with an airborne hyperspectral system, HySpex. Consisting of two imaging spectrometers for the 400 – 1000 nm and 1000 – 2500 nm spectral ranges, HySpex will be used on a regular basis starting in 2012 for optical remote sensing from airplanes.

	Gateway to the Antarctic - Science symposium in Punta Arenas commemorates the 20th anniversary of GARS O’Higgins November 14, 2011 Punta Arenas, Chile. Some 80 scientists from nine countries met November 13-15 in Punta Arenas in Chile for a symposium commemorating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of DLR’s German Antarctic Ground Station.
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Steps toward Chilean-German cooperation in research on early warning systems for natural disasters and on environmental monitoring

November 14, 2011
A DLR delegation led by Prof. Stefan Dech held discussions on November 9 and 10 with Chile’s disaster control authority (ONEMI) and the army’s hydrographic and oceanographic service (SHOA). Both institutions expressed interest in cooperating in the area of research on early warning systems for disaster control in cases of natural hazards.

	Forest fires in Romania November 08, 2011 On November 06, 2011, heath and forest fires broke out in the region of Sibiu in Romania at several unassociated locations in the mountains. The fires spread quickly and strong winds hampered the fire-fighting operations. A total of approximately 40 hectares of forest, grassland and heathland were burnt down.
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