Earth ob­ser­va­tion

Solar roof potential in Stuttgart
The EO Solar application shows the solar roof potential and solar roof expansion in Germany at various administrative levels down to buildings. This illustration shows the potential for Berlin. The yellow colour indicates that the solar roof potential – in other words the suitability for solar energy generation – is high. The other colours indicate a lower solar roof potential in shades up to dark blue. The results for the whole of Germany are available at eosolar.dlr.de publicly accessible.
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Satel­lite twins Ter­raSAR-X and Tan­DEM-X
The satellite twins TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X fly in close formation – sometimes separated by only a few hundred metres – and thus acquire data for digital elevation models.
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The built-in MACS-nano camera system
The MACS-nano camera system was developed at the DLR Institute of Optical Sensor Systems. On board a drone, MACS-nano flew twice over the 141-hectare deployment area in Berlin's Grunewald forest on 9 August 2022.
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Our Earth observation activities are guided by current and future scientific, societal, political and economic challenges posed by global processes and changes.

Earth observation using remote sensing methods is crucial for a deeper understanding of the Earth system. With the procedures and methods developed at DLR to continuously monitor, record and assess the Earth system, we provide reliable information and applications for a broad spectrum of societal, political and industrial needs.

The focus is on:

  • Atmosphere research, especially global climate change and the monitoring of international agreements
  • Environmental sciences and sustainable development
  • Resource management
  • Security and disaster prevention and preparedness
  • Mobility and urban planning

The basis for this extensive portfolio of applications is DLR’s diversity of expertise. This covers every aspect of satellite-based and airborne remote sensing: mission concepts, sensor technology, signal reception algorithms, satellite operation, payload data reception, data management and operations management, data and product development, project-oriented geoscientific research, and the provision of special user services.

Participating DLR institutes and facilities

Earth Observation Center

The Earth Observation Center (EOC) at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) consists of the German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD) and the Remote Sensing Technology Institute (IMF) with locations in Oberpfaffenhofen, Neustrelitz and Berlin-Adlershof as well as an office in Bremen.

Microwaves and Radar Institute

With its know-how and expertise in passive and active microwave remote sensing, the Microwaves and Radar Institute contributes to the development and advancement of ground-based, airborne and spaceborne sensors.

Remote Sensing Technology Institute (IMF)

The DLR Remote Sensing Technology Institute is located at the sites in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich, Berlin-Adlershof and Neustrelitz as well as an office in Bremen.

Institute of Atmospheric Physics

The Institute of Atmospheric Physics investigates the physics and chemistry of the global atmosphere from the Earth's surface up to the stratosphere.

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