Competence and Innovation for the Way to Space!

DLR Space Operations is the central institution for spaceflight operations in Germany with facilities in Cologne, Oberpfaffenhofen and Weilheim. This responsibility includes satellite missions for Earth observation, science and communication missions as well as for the exploration of the solar system and human spaceflight missions. Furthermore, astronauts are trained, space experiments are prepared and sounding rockets are developed and launched from sites around the world. Eventually, DLR works on new technologies, such as on-orbit-servicing in order to master even the most difficult space projects of the future.

In close cooperation with other DLR institutions and together with public and industrial partners, DLR Space Operations plays a major role for spaceflight in Europe. Here, groundbreaking space projects are realised and new ideas for spaceflight of tomorrow are developed. As a versatile interface between technology, operations and utilisation, DLR Space Operations serves as an important venue for everyone involved in spaceflight and the general public.

Virtual Control Room - Insight into Mars

For the first time since the astronaut mission Apollo 17 in 1972, heat flow measurements will be carried out on another celestial body using a drilling mechanism. The main aim of the experiment is to be able to determine the thermal state of the interior of Mars using thermal flow measurements taken beneath the surface. Models of Mars’ formation, chemical composition and inner structure can be checked and refined on the basis of this data. The measurements from Mars can also be used to draw conclusions about Earth’s early development.

…

Columbus Control Center in a 360°-View

Click here to access a panoramic view of our control room supporting the European space laboratory Columbus - as if you were sitting on the seat of the flight director. More details are available when clicking on positions marked with icons.

…

Ground Station Weilheim (Zentralstation des Deutschen Bodensystems; ZDBS)

The Ground Station belonging to DLR Space Operations is located in Weilneim (Zentralstation des Deutschen Bodensystems). Since 1969 it represents the interface between Earth and satellit.

…

Guided Tours in the German Space Operations Center

We offer people who are interested the possiblity to join guided tours in the German Space Operations Center. For dates and registration please click here.

…

Pictures and Videos of DLR Space Operations

Insights in the various departments and acvities of the DLR Space Operations and Astronaut Training in Oberpfaffenhofen, Cologne and Weilheim.

…

News

21.3.20 - Asteroid Ryugu likely link in planetary formation The Solar System formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago. Numerous fragments that bear witness to this early era orbit the Sun as asteroids. Around three-quarters of these are carbon-rich C-type asteroids, such as 162173 Ryugu, which was the target of the Japanese Hayabusa2 mission in 2018 and 2019. The spacecraft is currently on its return flight to Earth. Read more

10.03.20 - Observing animal migration from space – ISS experiment ICARUS begins Second attempt – the German-Russian International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space (ICARUS) experiment, which is installed on the International Space Station (ISS), will be put into operation on 10 March 2020. Read more

10.02.20 - BAYERN-CHEMIE und DLR schließen Vertrag zur Entwicklung und Herstellung von Feststoffraketenmotoren Nach ausführlichen Verhandlungen haben die Firma BAYERN-CHEMIE und die Abteilung Mobile Raketenbasis (MORABA) der Einrichtung Raumflugbetrieb und Astronautentraining des Deutschen Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) einen Vertrag zur Entwicklung und Herstellung von Feststoffraketenmotoren unterzeichnet. Read more

13.01.20 - Farewell to the Eu:CROPIS mission The experimentation phase on board the Eu:CROPIS satellite developed by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) came to an end on 31 December 2019. The compact satellite has been in an orbit around Earth that passes over the north and south poles for over one year. On board are four experiments, of which the DLR-developed RAdiation Measurement In Space (RAMIS) instrument, the NASA PowerCell experiment, and the SCalable On-BoaRd Computing Experiment (SCORE) computer, which was supplied by DLR, have yielded extensive datasets. Unfortunately, the eponymous Eu:CROPIS experiment (Euglena and Combined Regenerative Organic-Food Production in Space) could not be initiated due to a software problem. With this research satellite, DLR tested for the first time a particularly weight-saving compact satellite design with innovative lightweight structures for cost-effective missions. Read more

16.12.19 - MORABA looks back to 15 years of VSB-30 At November 15 2019, the 30th VSB-30 sounding rocket launch lifted its scientific payload to an apogee of 266 km. This 30th flight of a Veiculo Sondagem Bostado 30 (VSB-30) represents an outstanding milestone in the cooperation of the Mobile Rocket Base (MORABA) with its Brazilian partner DCTA/IAE. Read more

6.12.19 - CIMON-2 is on its way to the ISS A new Crew Interactive MObile companioN (CIMON) is on its way the International Space Station (ISS). On 5 December 2019 at 18:29 CET (12:29 local time) the US SpaceX CRS-19 mission lifted off from the spaceport at Cape Canaveral, Florida. On board was CIMON-2, an astronaut assistant developed and built in Germany that has been modified and equipped for new tasks. Like its predecessor, CIMON-2 will be used in the European Columbus research module. CIMON is a spherical, free-flying technology demonstrator equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and designed for human–machine interaction. Read more

3.12.19 - UN-Klimakonferenz: Monitoring der Erde – DLR stellt Satellitenmission Tandem-L vor Die diesjährige Weltklimakonferenz (COP25) der Vereinten Nationen findet vom 2. bis 13. Dezember 2019 in Madrid statt. Im Rahmen des „Earth Information Day 2019“ stellte das Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) am zweiten Tag des Klimagipfels Tandem-L vor, den Vorschlag für eine neuartige Satellitenmission zum Monitoring der Erde. Mithilfe von Tandem-L könnten zukünftig die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels überwacht werden und gleichzeitig die Wirksamkeit politischer Maßnahmen zur Eindämmung des Klimawandels kontrolliert werden. Insgesamt zwei Radarsatelliten sollen die Veränderungen der Erde im Wochenrhythmus erfassen – in hoher Auflösung und unabhängig von Wetter oder Tageszeit. Read more

10.11.19 - Plasma crystal research on the ISS More plasma research is being conducted on the International Space Station (ISS). From 10 to 16 November 2019, the Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov will be carrying out a new series of experiments with the PK-4 plasma crystal laboratory. Under the direction of scientists from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), Skvortsov will record how microparticles move through a neon plasma in microgravity, forming structures and thus providing insights into basic physical processes. Read more

7.11.19 - 50 Jahre Satelliten-Nation Deutschland: Start des ersten Forschungssatelliten AZUR (German)

6.11.19 - The Mars Mole and the challenging ground of the Red Planet

8.10.19 - Erdbeobachtung für Umwelt und Klima

3.10.19 -InSight mission – a fresh attempt for the first ‘Mole’ on Mars