Space research

On-Orbit-Servicing
Credit:
DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)
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As part of the RMC cross-cutting topics of planetary exploration and on-orbit servicing, significant contributions are made to the simulation, design optimisation, verification and control of space systems and individual subsystems. Research focuses on the wheel-ground interaction of planetary rovers, the mobility of landers on asteroids, the contact dynamics of satellite docking manoeuvres and the evaluation of launch systems, including reusable launch systems.

Projects in Focus:

MMX

To be launched in September 2024 and inserted into Martian orbit in 2025, the Martian Moons eXploration mission (MMX) is a JAXA mission to Phobos and Deimos investigating the origin of the two Martian moons. While surface spectra indicate an origin from captured asteroids, the moons’ orbits favour formation scenarios involving the ejecta from a major impact early in Martian history.

Scout Rover

The Scout rover can negotiate obstacles with its rimless wheels. During the ARCHES mission, it had the task of positioning a WiFi repeater so that other robots had a stable connection to the 'control room'.

Interactive moon landing in the Lunar Lander

How will astronauts land safely on the Moon in the future? A seamless interaction between pilot and spacecraft is crucial to ensuring a successful Moon landing. Together with partners from industry and research, DLR has conducted a special experiment.

CALLISTO

CALLISTO is a reusable demonstrator for a VTVL vertical take-off and landing rocket stage. The introduction of reusability of launcher systems could reduce launch costs and improve the usability of the launcher system. The aim of the project is to improve the knowledge of VTVL rocket stages and to demonstrate the capabilities and technologies required for the development and utilisation of an operational, reusable launch vehicle.

The Reusability Flight Experiment (ReFEx)

The Reusability Flight Experiment (ReFEx) is a technology demonstrator developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) with the aim to research and develop key technologies for aerodynamically controlled first stages of reusable launch vehicles. The key technologies developed in the ReFEx experiment include the aerodynamic design and the Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) system of the vehicle.

MASCOT - Travelling on asteroids

The asteroid lander MASCOT flies with the Japanese space probe Hayabusa2 to the asteroid Ryugu. There it is "pushed" out of the probe using a release mechanism and lands on the asteroid. The four instruments on board - a spectrometer from the French space agency CNES, a magnetometer from TU Brauchschweig and a camera and radiometer from DLR - then carry out measurements. The lander hops from measuring point to measuring point.

InSight - Beneath the surface of Mars

DLR took part in NASA's InSight Mars mission with the HP3 instrument, whose nail-shaped thermal sensor. "Mole", drove itself up to five metres into the Martian soil to measure the heat flow there.

From space to the road – 10 years of ROboMObil

The ROboMObil is DLR's electromobile research platform for mechatronic actuators, vehicle dynamics control, AI-based control and autonomous driving, inspired by space robotics.

Contact

Rainer Krenn

Department management

Institute of System Dynamics and Control

Space System Dynamics

82234 Oberpfaffenhofen-Wessling

Dr. Tobias Bellmann