Research and transfer

DLR's research areas

Aeronautics

Space

Energy

Transport

Interdisciplinary and cross-divisional research

Security

Digitalisation

From research to application

Innovation and transfer

Germany is a progressive and innovative country, open to embracing sustainable solutions to environmental, technological, economic and geopolitical challenges in a consistent and flexible way so as to achieve prosperity and security. As a centre for research into aeronautics, space, energy, transport, digitalisation and security, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) makes important contributions in this respect.

Research infrastructure

Airbus A320 Advanced Technology Research Aircraft (D-ATRA)

The Airbus A320-Advanced Technology Research Aircraft (ATRA) is operated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Flight Experiments facility in Braunschweig; it is the largest member of DLR’s fleet.

European Proximity Operations Simulator (EPOS 2.0)

The European Proximity Operations Simulator (EPOS 2.0) is a large-scale facility at the DLR Space Operations and Astronaut Training institution in Oberpfaffenhofen.

DLR Short-Arm Centrifuge (Module 1 at :envihab)

The DLR Short-Arm Centrifuge, Module 1 at DLR's :envihab research facility in Cologne, is a special unit and the only one of its kind in the world, offering enhanced possibilities for researching the effects of altered gravity, especially as a countermeasure to the health risks that occur in microgravity conditions.

Generic Train Laboratory Göttingen

Scientists at the DLR Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology in Göttingen are investigating new concepts for air conditioning in railway carriages using a model of a double-decker high-speed train.

Solar Towers Jülich

The Jülich Solar Tower, run by the DLR Institute of Solar Research and the department of Solar Power Plant Technology, is the only solar thermal tower power plant in Germany.

MovingLab

Data from transport users are an essential component of transport research. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has developed unique surveying technology in the form of MovingLab, which aims to provide data on people's mobility habits or vehicle usage patterns in a swift and straightforward manner.

Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)

The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) of the DLR Institute for the Protection of Maritime Infrastructures can be used both remotely at short distances up to 300 metres and autonomously for missions with longer ranges.