Space

Space research at DLR

Our space research provides the foundation for numerous services that support our everyday lives – from environmental monitoring and structural planning to communication systems and navigation services. We work closely with public stakeholders, businesses and other research institutions to transfer knowledge, technologies and applications to industry and society.

Into space for Earth

placeholder

Your consent to the storage of data ('cookies') is required for the playback of this video on Quickchannel.com. You can view and change your current data storage settings at any time under privacy.

Strategy and programme

As a leading international space research organisation, DLR is committed to driving innovation and shaping a secure, sustainable and competitive space sector. Our space research programme covers a broad spectrum across seven thematic areas, ranging from rocket testing, Earth observation data and satellite-based communication and navigation systems, to space debris tracking and the exploration of the Solar System.

Research infrastructure

DLR has numerous large-scale research facilities at its disposal for space research, such as rocket test stands, wind tunnels, control rooms and receiving stations, or data archives and processing systems for satellite operations. The facilities are not only used for DLR's own projects, they are also accessible to customers and partners.

Featured topics

At the edge of the possible

Quantum technologies

Re-entry and landing technologies

Reusable space transport

Re­turn to the Moon

Artemis Pro­gramme

Data for climate research

Study­ing the Earth sys­tem from space

Projects and missions

Mars Express

DLR's High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board ESA's Mars Express spacecraft has been mapping Mars in unprecedented resolution, in three dimensions and in colour since 2004. Its data are an essential resource for current and future Mars research. The insights obtained during the course of the mission have massively changed our understanding of the Red Planet's geological development.

MMX – Martian Moons eXploration

The two moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, are the target of the Japanese exploration mission 'Martian Moons eXploration', MMX for short. DLR and the French space agency CNES are involved with a lander that will explore Phobos on the surface for several weeks.

News

Loading

Multimedia

The MMX rover Idefix during integration in the clean room at DLR
Image: 1/15, Credit:
LUNA Analog Facility: simulation of human-robot collaboration
Image: 2/15, Credit:

DLR/ESA

DownloadDownload
Artist's impression of the BepiColombo Mercury orbiter in front of Mercury
Image: 15/15, Credit:

ESA/ATG medialab; Merkur: NASA/JPL.

DownloadDownload

Links

German Space Agency at DLR

The German Space Agency at DLR (formerly DLR Space Administration) acts as Germany’s space agency and, in this capacity, implements the Federal Government’s space strategy. It has approximately 300 employees and is based in Bonn.

Institutes and facilities

At DLR, more than 20 institutes involved in space research are working on developing and testing technologies and gaining insights for the benefit of society and Earth.

Jobs and careers

Whether you are a sci­en­tist, en­gi­neer, tech­ni­cian or are look­ing to take up an ap­pren­tice­ship - DLR of­fers ex­cit­ing ca­reer op­por­tu­ni­ties for a wide range of tal­ents. Take a look at all our va­can­cies and find in­for­ma­tion about get­ting start­ed.

CEAS Space Journal

The CEAS Space Journal publishes scientific, peer-reviewed articles covering all areas of space research worldwide. Founded under the umbrella of CEAS (Council of European Aerospace Societies), the journal is supported by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the European Space Agency (ESA). It is published by Springer Verlag both online and six times a year as an issue.

Downloads

Brochure: Space research at DLR (2019)

6.1 MB | PDF