DLR - Institute of Space Systems

Projects

MASCOT

The Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout (MASCOT) is a small landing package onboard the Japanese space probe Hayabusa-2, scheduled to be launched in late 2014, on a 5-year sample return mission to the Near-Earth Asteroid 1999 JU3.

L.A.R.S.

Large Arctic Radio Station for small satellites

AISat

Der „AISat“ ist der erste nationale Satellit, der Beobachtungen der weltweiten Schiffsbewegungen mit Hilfe des in der Seeschifffahrt vorgeschriebenen Automatic Identification Signals (AIS) ermöglicht.

AsteroidFinder

Das Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt einen Standart Satelliten Bus (SSB) zu entwickeln und zu betreiben. Dieser Satelliten Bus wird so entwickelt, dass er für verschieden Missionen und Anwendungen adaptierbar ist. Die Primärnutzlast des SSB ist das optische Teleskope AsteroidFinder, welches nach Asteroiden suchen soll. Dabei wird sich auf sog. Inner Earth Objects (IEOs) konzentriert, deren Bahnen innerhalb des Erdorbits um die Sonne verlaufen. Solche Asteroid stellen eine potenzielle Gefahr für die Erde dar. Bis heute sind allerdings nur eine handvoll diese (IEOs) entdeckt worden, da sich ihre Beobachtung als schwierig erweist.

ATON/TRON

The project ATON (Autonomous Terrain Based Optical Navigation) concentrates on a promising navigation technology for landing missions. This technology is based on an optical system in combination with the data of other sensors such as an acceleration indicator. The performance of an autonomous and precise landing can be tested in TRON (Testbed for Robotic Optical Navigation).

Bodenstation RY

Im Rahmen des Projektes AISat wird beim Institut für Raumfahrtsysteme eine Bodenstation betrieben, welche lokale AIS-Signale empfängt und zu wissenschaflichen Zwecken auswertet. Es werden lokale AIS-Schiffssignale, sowie die am DLR-Netzwerk angeschlossenen Standorte wie Wilhelmshaven (Jade-Hochschule), HAW-Hamburg, Hochschule Emden/Leer und Universität Aalborg in Dänemark eingebunden. Hieraus resultiert ein eigenes AIS-Netzwerk, welches u.a. als Vergleichsdatenbank zu den empfangenden Sat-AIS besteht.

Nano-Satellite "CLAVIS"

In the frame of the project „CLAVIS“ the Institute of Space Systems aims at the development of multi-purpose satellite bus in the nano-satellite category in order to operate payloads in a near Earth orbit. Of primary focus herein is the reduction of the lead time from customer request to the ready-to-launch space vehicle as well as costs. This will be realized by a modular structural configuration, by the introduction of plug&play feature for electrical components and the usage of standard components.

Exploration Technology

Within the Institute of Space Systems, the "Exploration Systems" department covers technologies and mission concepts related to planetary landing missions. This includes landing systems, robotic infrastructures, small body missions as well as surface and subsurface sampling.

Research Cooperation Upper Stage

In preparation of the development of new European advanced cryogenic upper stages the need to maturate related technologies has been identified. A German research cooperation involving the German launcher industry, University and DLR research has been initiated to work jointly on various identified key technologies. The partners involved are EADS astrium, MT-Aerospace, various DLR-institutes (Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology; Institute of Composite Structures and Adaptive Systems; Institute of Space Propulsion), and the ZARM at the University of Bremen. All research work is coordinated by DLR Institute of Space Systems in Bremen.

Compact Satellites

This project aims to develop a satellite bus system for various applications. This opens up a new service capacity for DLR space flight institutes, other research facilities and industry. Existing expertise (e.g. BIRD) is involved cooperatively. In the national competition, suitable applications are selected and implemented with regard to the international environment.

Material Physics Experiments under Microgravity Conditions: MAPHEUS - rocket

MAPHEUS – Material Physics Experiments under Microgravity Conditions

Physical experiments in Earth-based laboratories are very often negatively influenced by gravity. Material physics studies, for example, various processes in metallic alloys on an atomic scale. The corresponding experiments require “weightlessness” for high quality results. MAPHEUS, a DLR research rocket program, provides this microgravity environment to DLR material physics payloads. On an annual basis, a MAPHEUS rocket is launched into space to approximately 150 km altitude. The payload then experiences 3.5 minutes of microgravity before it re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere.

Space based safety applications

This project evaluates studies and concepts of safety applications in prevention, protection and defence with a special focus on maritime area and transport systems. One project of the Orbital Systems and Safety department is "AISat".

Space Launcher and Propulsion

This project combines existing upper stage technology know-how from academic and industrial areas. Thus, the entire upper stage system is examined concurrently. System aspects concerning fluid technology and cryogenic propellants are also included.

Return Technology

Existing expertise on return technology is evaluated and combined while aiming to transfer this to operational missions. Such technologies include new structure and material concepts (e.g. SHEFEX), component testing prototype building and mission verification. Together with an orbital return capsule, new flight possibilities for gravity experiments are possible. These new alternatives complement existing capabilities on the ISS.

Solar Sailing

Solar Sailing ist eine Form des Raumfahrt-Antriebs, welche seit Jahrzehnten als Alternative zu klassischen Antriebs-Technologien entwickelt wird. Der Vortrieb wird durch Nutzung des Photonenimpulses der Sonne erreicht - dieser „Lichtdruck“ ist etwa tausendmal größer als der Druck des Sonnenwindes. Die Attraktivität des Solar Sail Antriebs besteht hauptsächlich darin, dass dieser keinen Treibstoff benötigt; die Antriebskraft ist unerschöpflich und somit wird diese Technologie für Tiefraum- und Langzeitmissionen in Lagrange-Punkten genutzt werden können.

Student programs REXUS and BEXUS

The DLR (German Space Agency) and the SNSB (Swedish National Space Board) arrange the Student programes REXUS (Rocket Experiments for University Students) and BEXUS (Balloon Experiments for University Students). Fifty percent of the rocket and balloon payload are available for German students. The announcement for Students from other ESA states is conducted by the European Space Agency ESA. The REXUS/BEXUS project office of the DLR Institute of Space Systems in Bremen is responsible for the organisation, support and integration of the experiments of students, who are registered at German universities. The mission campaigns are carried out by EuroLaunch, a joint venture of the Mobile Rocket Base of the DLR Oberpfaffenhofen and the Swedish Space Cooperation SSC, that operates the launch site Esrange, Sweden.