The Earth Observation Center (EOC)

DFD priorities equally in research using earth observation data to assess land surfaces, the atmosphere and georisks and to provide public crisis information, as well as in developing, engineering, and operating EO data technologies for missions, research and knowledge transfer.

IMF focuses primarily on subjects related to sensor-related algorithm and process development to derive calibrated geoinformation products from sensor measurement data. Using methodologies from physics (scattering theory, wave propagation, spectrometry), digital signal processing, image processing and artificial intelligence we develop the required processors and processing chains.

Die wichtigsten Aufgaben des EOC sind

The primary tasks of EOC are:

• Developing, engineering and operating all the data technology components for earth observation missions, particularly data reception, processing, archiving, ordering and distribution

• Long-term safeguarding of data from national and international missions in the German Satellite Data Archive (D-SDA)

• Systems engineering to design data processors, integration, and routine operations

• Promoting data use by creating innovative and efficient data access points and processing possibilities for in-house scientific applications and for use by external partners

• Developing, continuously producing and analyzing remote sensing-based information products to address issues of global change, climate, planning, health and civil security

• Developing and applying artificial intelligence methodologies in big data analysis, e.g, with machine learning and deep learning

• Developing environmental and crisis-information systems as well as generic components for analysis, situational awareness imagery, and decision support

• Supporting federal and EU authorities, international users and the International Charter Space and Major Disasters through the DFD Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI) and the EOC Maritime Safety and Security Laboratories

• Providing and operating optical sensor systems for aerial remote sensing in order to prepare, calibrate and validate satellite sensors and data products

• Operating optical reference and calibration laboratories

• Designing new sensor systems and missions with emphasis on SAR technologies and optical systems in the visible and infrared light ranges (imaging, spectrometric, hyperspectral)

Locations and Structure

EOC is represented at three DLR locations:

• Oberpfaffenhofen (ca. 400 employees and seat of the board of directors), along with the Maritime Safety and Security Lab in Bremen

• Neustrelitz (ca. 40 employees)

• Berlin-Adlershof (ca. 7 employees)

In addition, there is the Earth Observation Research Cluster at Würzburg University (ca. 40 employees), supported by DLR collaborative professorships.

EOC is comprised of 13 departments, whereby the "Controlling Department" (EOC-CON) carries out central functions for both IMF and DFD. Similar cross-institutional services are provided by the "Information Technology" and "Science Communication and Visualization” Departments.

Long-Range Goals

As is the case with all DLR institutes, EOC is governed by the program orientation of the Helmholtz Association. Public support is primarily via the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Through its participation in national, European and ESA (European Space Agency) research and development projects and by providing operational assistance for ESA, large parts of EOC have third-party financing. Both institutes cooperate with German and international industry and SMEs when responding to calls for bids relating to the development and operation of European earth observation missions. Besides ESA, the most important clients are the European Commission, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community and commercial enterprises.