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Other | 20. January 2020 | posted by Thomas Esch

Smart data for sustainable cities

Siedlungsmuster
Credit: DLR
Analysis of settlement patterns using spatial network analysis

Earth observation and artificial intelligence can be used to assist with sustainable development decisions. Some years ago, Earth underwent an epochal change, albeit one that was consciously perceived by only a few of us. For the first time in human history, more people are living in cities than in rural areas. Although this might not seem particularly remarkable at first glance, this change will ultimately affect each and every one of us, whether directly or indirectly – because the future is urban. read more

Other | 31. August 2016 | posted by Manuela Braun

Back in saturated air at sea level

Source: DLR (CC-BY 3.0)
Into the tube: after the descent, all test subjects in the study were given an MRI scan to examine their brains.

The altitude sickness study conducted in the Valais Alps has delivered a sizeable yield: almost 1500 vials containing blood samples from the test subjects, frozen in dry ice at minus 80 degrees Celsius, were transported from the Margherita Hut at an altitude of 4554 metres back down to the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Cologne. There are also just under 200 urine samples, 44 saliva samples and 66 blood counts. The test subjects themselves are also contributing 11 carefully kept 'journals', in which they noted the extent to which they felt symptoms of altitude sickness. Twenty-two measurements of the test subjects' blood pressure and another 22 revealing oxygen saturation levels in their blood are also included in the dataset. For investigator Ulrich Limper this means a detailed evaluation that will take over six months to complete.

Departure from the top station

The test subjects completed their morning ritual for the last time on Monday, 22 August: upon waking, they measured their blood pressure in a supine position and then hopped onto the scales. The investigator in the study drew blood one final time. And then, at 07:00, the first group set off across the glacier accompanied by a mountain guide, and headed for the cable car station in Punta Indren to travel from the vantage point at 1600 metres to the base of the valley. Meanwhile, the second group was busy packing the equipment left at the Margherita Hut: the ultrasound device, crates of samples tucked away in dry ice and luggage. Altogether, 600 kilograms had to be prepared for return transport by helicopter. read more

Other | 15. May 2014

New design for DLR blogs

Quelle: DLR (CC-BY 3.0)

Does something seem different here? That is right! The DLR blogs site has a new look.

We have just redesigned the DLR blogs site - and it was high time. The previous DLR blogs design was largely based on the old DLR Web portal, which was replaced with a new look back in 2011.

The new blog design features larger images, brighter colours and larger fonts, with the result being a more contemporary and clear layout. It was particularly important to us for the blog site to be useable on all types of devices, so that the content can be searched for and viewed on mobile devices without problems. We also wanted the new design to take account of the considerable developments in social networking that have occurred since the previous version was created in January 2010.

New design - new possibilities

Quelle: DLR (CC-BY 3.0)
The previous DLR blogs design was largely based on the old DLR Web portal, which was replaced with a new look back in 2011
Quelle: DLR (CC-BY 3.0)

What you see today arose from these requirements. From now on, the DLR blogs are also available in a flexible design suitable for both smartphones and tablets. The website automatically adapts to match the screen width of the device, ensuring that the reader always profits from maximum legibility without having to sacrifice features or content.

The new blogs homepage provides a quick summary of the latest posts. Here, the focus is primarily on the posts. Therefore, site services such as 'About us' and 'Imprint' are located at the bottom of the page. When it comes to subject blogs (for example, Jan Wörner or Aeronautics), the entries continue to be arranged sequentially as was the case before. In addition, they offer a preview, which can vary in length and be supplemented with images, YouTube videos and Flickr galleries.

The tag lists for the various blogs were located at the bottom of the right-hand sidebar; now, when each blog is opened, it is immediately visible and offers an integral summary of the blog topics. Links to Twitter, Flickr and the DLR web portal have now been added below the tag list.

The connections with social media have also been promoted in other parts of the new DLR blogs site. Just a couple of clicks is all it takes for individual posts to be shared via Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. The DLR channels and the individual platforms can, of course, also be accessed via the icons at the top of the page. The comment function for each post has been supplemented with an additional field. It is now possible to draw attention to your own blog or website by posting a comment.

The author pages are a new addition to the DLR Blogs site. This is where the individual bloggers introduce themselves and their work. These pages offer an overview of the blog posts by the specific blogger. Also, inactive blogs no longer disappear from view. Completed projects can still be accessed via the blogs archive in the sidebar.

What works stays, and new features have been added

The concept and design of the blogs did not simply come about overnight. To begin with, ideas, wishes and requirements had to be gathered; these then formed the framework for the new design. The old blog articles had to be able to retain their appearance and new ones should offer more room for development.

So, a solution had to be found - one that retained the old articles, while being able to handle the more sophisticated requirements. This was a task that we could not have completed without the support of our partners. The anyMOTION agency first translated our requirements for the new DLR blog into a design. Then the software company Werum took care of templating and ensured that the design could be implemented in our content management system.

Of course, at this point, it would not be fair to fail to mention our colleagues in the DLR Communication online team, who enthusiastically addressed the requirements for the new DLR blogs, discussed diverse suggestions in multiple meetings without ever reaching universal agreement, and yet nevertheless managed to reach an acceptable compromise.

Let us know your opinion

Because everyone’s tastes differ, we are sure that yours do as well. Please use the comment function to let us know what you think of the new site. We will be happy to receive praise, constructive criticism and suggestions.

Enjoy the new blogs site, whether you are using a computer, a smartphone or a tablet!

Other | 20. February 2014 | posted by Jan Wörner

Setting the course… to dare for more DLR!

Gegenstromprinzip (Grafik). Bild: CC-BY KönigsPanda.

The German federal government has been getting down to business, the New Year is well under way, and institutional and personal resolutions and claims have been set down at various New Year's receptions. For the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) these are to keep up the good work, continue making important contributions to national and global challenges, and to make the best possible use of the money entrusted to us by the taxpayers. All this comes at a time marked not only by political manoeuvring, but also by large-scale societal changes that influence our actions. read more

Other | 18. September 2013 | posted by Jan Wörner

Science, science management and science policy…

Though none could claim seriously that research, development and science tip the balance in the outcome of elections, they nevertheless retain a fundamental significance: the insight we acquire today will serve tomorrow in the interests of safeguarding our country and our society as a whole. This is especially true for countries that, as a result of geographical, geological and other regional factors, focus on investing in 'minds' – because they have to. Thus, the development of research, development and science is relevant, and leads individuals to 'interesting' conclusions. But beware – in the words of Max Weber: "Academic life is a mad hazard," it is resistant to short-term planning! read more

Other | 23. October 2012 | posted by Jan Wörner

Equal opportunities through flexible work schedules

This article was originally written for the ATKearney 361° Blog.

The lifestyles of DLR employees are as many and diverse as DLR's research areas – this represents both an opportunity and a challenge. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) needs the best people – both male and female – now and in the future, to maintain its excellence in research and development. Therefore, we at DLR endeavour to create an environment in which employees can fully develop their potential. From my own experience, having had two working parents, I can say that, not only do I believe in the issue of equal opportunity in theoretical terms, but am also committed to it practically. read more

Other | 25. July 2012

DLR Webcast: Interview with Marwan Younis at IGARSS 2012

DLR Webcast: Interview with Marwan Younis at IGARSS 2012

We are still here at IGARSS, giving you more information about 'Remote Sensing for a Dynamic Earth'. We spoke with Marwan Younis, who took some time from an incredibly tight schedule to answer some questions regarding TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X, as well as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technologies. read more

Other | 24. July 2012 | posted by Andrea Haag

DLR Webcast: Interview with Johann-Dietrich Wörner

Interview with Johann-Dietrich Wörner

These days, the International Conference Center in Munich is filled with people from all over the world; some of the faces are new, but many are familiar as well. A great number of experts in Earth observation and remote sensing walk through the exhibition hall and fill the conference rooms. It is great to see so many people prominent in this field, and even more so, to have the chance to speak with them in person. Yesterday, in between the Plenary Session, press conferences and various meetings, we had the honour of interviewing Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of the DLR Executive Board, who gave us his own perspective on the research areas covered at the IGARSS 2012 symposium and Germany’s contributions. Thank you so much! read more