On 16 September 2007, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) will launch its nationwide "German Aerospace Day". Companies, universities and institutions involved with aerospace will participate in a variety of ways to make the subject accessible in a concrete way.
German Aerospace Day 2007
At the organisation's headquarters in Porz (near Cologne), young and old will be able to experience aerospace between 10 am and 6 pm. DLR institutes will open their doors and present their research. Scientists will show materials made to withstand extreme pressures, solar energy technologies, commercial aircraft flight simulators, and tests in various wind tunnels. Researchers will be on hand to provide information on current space activities such as the Rosetta comet-chasing mission, and to give visitors a look at the control centre for extraterrestrial landers.
A number of aircraft will be on display outside, including DLR's research aircraft (Falcon 20 E, VFW 614 ATTAS, EC 135, A320), the Airbus A300 ZERO-G designed for parabolic manoeuvres, and aircraft of the German Air Force (ECR Tornado, F4 Phantom, Eurofighter, Trans All C 160).
The DLR School Lab will give younger visitors the opportunity to conduct experiments based on aviation, aerospace, energy and transport research, and to learn about recent research at DLR. DLR scientists will also be presenting talks on their work and their latest research projects.
There will be a supporting programme containing many attractions such as the Aerotrim, where children and adults can train like an astronaut. There'll be the on-stage Mouse Show for the kids, and interviews with DLR scientists and talks with astronauts for the grown-ups. Visitors to the cinema will be able to enjoy "100 Years of German aerospace research". The day will conclude with an exciting evening programme in the auditorium.
Joint organisers this year include Cologne-Bonn Airport, the German Air Force, the European Space Agency (ESA) with the European Astronaut Centre (EAC). Media partners will be WDR, Welt der Wunder and the newspaper, the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.