The Atmosphere (AT) department is part of DLR’s German Remote Sensing Data Center DFD. Its research and development activities are carried out in national and international cooperation and range from basic research to pioneering applications and data products. Most are understood as a DLR contribution to the GEO Program (Global Earth Observing System of Systems).
The department develops innovative and sophisticated demand-driven services intended for future operational implementation, technologies, and data and information products relating to the atmosphere. They are based primarily on satellite measurements combined with numeric models and are made available to scientists, public authorities, industry and the general public.
It conducts the research and development work on aerosols, radiation, trace gases, and atmospheric dynamics which is essential for achieving these goals.
Together with other DFD departments and the Remote Sensing Technology Institute (IMF), the Atmosphere department administers the mandate given to DFD by the UN World Meteorological Organization WMO and the International Council for Science ICSU to operate the World Data Center for Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere, WDC-RSAT. In this context the department also coordinates the international ground Network for the Detection of Mesopause Change, NDMC, and provides the data and communication platform for the Bavarian Environmental Station Schneefernerhaus, UFS, on the Zugspitze mountain. In the context of the Committee on Earth Observing Satellites CEOS, WDC-RSAT is being expanded into a portal for atmospheric measurements in close cooperation with NASA.
And finally, in accordance with DLR statutes, the department promotes the advanced instruction and training of the next generation of scientists in cooperation with universities by providing guidance to interns and to diploma, doctoral and habilitation candidates. Knowledge transfer takes place through publication in eminent specialist journals, presentations at conferences, and in cooperation with DLR’s technology transfer unit.