DLR audio – The Sound of Science

Science is simulating, measuring, and evaluating data in order to gather knowledge. On an elementary level, however, science is a description of human experience: touching, observing, and listening. Helicopter rotors make a very particular sound; satellites send beacon signals from outer space; wind tunnels also produce a characteristic soundscape.

One of the latest audio recordings in the SoundCloud archives comes from the School_Lab in Göttingen, and it is a real treat for stereo enthusiasts. read more

Video: The flying observatory SOFIA

The flying observatory SOFIA is rolled into the NASA hangar in Palmdale.

How does the flying observatory SOFIA work? What is infrared astronomy? What sets SOFIA apart from other space observatories, and what happens on a typical day in the air?

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Simpler usage rights: as of today, Mars Express HRSC images licensed under Creative Commons licence

Since its arrival at the red planet in December 2003, imagery of ESA's Mars Express mission enjoys great popularity, with the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) onboard the spacecraft, which is operated by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), playing a major role. Since January 2004, ESA, DLR and Freie Universität Berlin continuously and jointly publish still and moving high-resolution images of Mars' surface. read more

Bloggers and social media users – invitation to the commissioning of the Rosetta lander Philae in Cologne on 28 March

The European Space Agency's Rosetta mission will explore the origins of the Solar System by studying Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, one of its oldest and most primordial bodies. The mission consists of an orbiter and the Philae lander. The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has played a significant role in the development of Philae and operates the Lander Control Centre in Cologne. DLR is preparing for and will manage the difficult, daring and, never before attempted. landing on the comet nucleus. read more

Video – To Australia in 90 minutes at hypersonic speed

The revolutionary SpaceLiner concept offers a unique vision for a high-speed passenger transportation system of the future by seamlessly spanning the boundaries between aviation and spaceflight. Currently under design at the German Aerospace Center, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), the ultra-fast hypersonic spaceplane is designed to transport 50 passengers from Australia to Europe in an unprecedented 90 minutes. read more

DLR Webcast: Interview with Stefan Dech at IGARSS 2012

The International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) is a place for those working in these fields to gather and discuss the current developments and future in a wide variety of perspectives. Why are digital elevation models so important? And why have radar satellites become of great importance to us? Stefan Dech, Director of DLR’s Earth Observation Centre, gives us his views at IGARSS 2012. read more

DLR Webcast: Interview with Manfred Zink at IGARSS 2012

TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X are exceeding the expectations of the scientific community. Why exactly? And what comes next? During the IGARSS 2012 symposium in Munich, we were able to speak to Manfred Zink, Project Manager of the Ground Segment of the mission. He is responsible for directing the entire mission, from the close flight formation of the TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X satellites to the creation of the digital elevation model. read more

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

DLR Webcast: 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

Live stream of the IGARSS 2012 opening in Munich

Welcome to Munich! The International Congress Center in Munich was buzzing today, and we expect even more activity in the coming days. You can find out about the events taking place via this blog and our various social media channels. The opening of the Symposium will be broadcast live by DLR and ESA; it will be streamed live from here tomorrow, Monday 23 July, between 09:00 and 12:30. This year’s theme is ‘Remote Sensing for a Dynamic Earth’. read more