Research Infrastructure

The Institute of Space Research currently operates the following laboratories:

Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV)/Laser Laboratory

Generally the laboratory is used for integration purposes and experiments with lasers and laser optics, which have elevated cleanliness requirements.

Broadband Terahertz Spectroscopy Laboratory

The Broadband Terahert) Spectroscopy Laboratory is dedicated to perform (in-situ) spectroscopy measurements on samples of relevance for space research.

Calibration and Thermal Vacuum Laboratory

The laboratory serves for the performance of thermal vacuum (TV) tests and calibrations of optical and electronical hardware assemblies

CCD- Laboratory

The main focus of this laboratory is the commissioning of focal plane electronics for various projects.

Data processing facilities

For more than ten years, the Institute of Optical Sensor Systems has been operating a dedicated high-performance computing cluster (HPCC) on its premises.

Detector Characterisation Laboratory (DCL)

The DCL allows the radiometric, spectral and geometric characterisation of optical detectors

Heterodyne spectroscopy laboratory

The Heterodyne spectroscopy laboratory is dedicated to the development of techniques and equipment for millimeter-wave and THz heterodyne spectroscopy.

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy laboratory

The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) laboratory is dedicated to the investigation of planetary materials under simulated environmental conditions of planetary surfaces or the surface of moons or asteroids.

Mars Simulation Facility

The Mars Simulation Facility (MSF) is embedded within the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure. Aims are: experimental investigation of trace moisture sensors, physical, chemical and biological processes, which occur under environmental conditions like in (near-)surface areas of Mars.

NIR laser spectroscopy laboratory

The NIR laser spectroscopy laboratory is dedicated to the advancement of photonic and quantum information technology in an interdisciplinary effort.

Optical laboratories: geometric, radiometric and spectral calibration

The optical laboratories are dedicated to optical calibration, verification and validation tasks in the spectral, radiometric and geometric domain.

OPTSAL DevCenter

The purpose of the Dev Center is to provide OPTSAL and its partners with a modern laboratory for the application-oriented development and system integration of optical systems.

OPTSAL Situation Center

The Situation Center is a laboratory for developing and testing new approaches to staff work and operational command. This infrastructure is part of our Helmholtz Innovation Lab OPTSAL

Planetary Spectroscopy Laboratory

PSL is the only infrastructure in the world to measure spectra of solid and powdered materials, in air/vacuum, from low to very high T (-200° to 1000°C), over an extended spectral range (0.3 to > 100 µm) and in a climate-controlled room.

Planetary Analogue Simulation Laboratory

The Planetary Simulation Laboratory (PASLAB) is part of the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure. Its focus is on experimental investigation of physical, chemical and biological processes, which occur under environmental conditions such as on Early and present Earth, Early and present Mars and on exoplanets around cool stars.

Raman Mineral- and Bio-Detection Laboratory

The Raman Mineral- and Bio-Detection Laboratory (RMBL) serves for research on various samples, relevant for ongoing and future missions.

Sample Preparation Laboratory

To support the laboratory activities at the Planetary Spectroscopy Laboratory as well as other laboratories in the institute a sample preparation laboratory with a dedicated technician is available.

Sensor Design and Test Laboratory

The laboratory is used for electrical tests and as interconnection room for the EM and QM level hardware as well as for the flight hardware

Space system integration laboratory

The laboratory for Space system integration offers an ISO 8 and ISO 5 certified clean room management system. This is where our space sensors are integrated.

Space simulation laboratory

In the space simulation laboratory system environmental qualification of space hardware is performed.

Thermal Laboratory

The Thermal Laboratory serves the development, qualification and calibration of space instrumentation to investigate the thermal properties of planets, asteroids and comets using contact and radiometric measurements.

Time-Domain laser spectroscopy laboratory

The time-domain laser spectroscopy laboratory is dedicated to the development of short-pulse laser based (spectroscopy) techniques operating in the femtosecond time-domain.