German Aerospace Center

The German Aerospace Center (German: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.; DLR) is Germany’s main organization for studying the sky and space. It does important work in aeronautics and space, but also in energy, transport, security, and defence. The German Space Agency at the DLR is Germany’s space agency, helping the country explore the universe.

DLR is based in Cologne and has 30 locations all across Germany with 51 institutes and facilities. As of 2024, it employs 11,786 people who work on exciting projects every day.

DLR works closely with Europe and the world. It has offices in Brussels, Paris, Washington D.C., and Tokyo. It also partners with research sites in many countries, such as Andøya, Norway for launching small rockets, Almería, Spain for solar technology tests, Évora, Portugal for solar field studies, Gars O'Higgins, Antarctica for receiving satellite data, Inuvik, Canada for satellite data, and Kiruna, Sweden for more rocket launches.

History

The story of aeronautics and space research in Germany starts in 1907, when Ludwig Prandtl created a place for testing airplane designs in Göttingen. Over time, more groups were formed in cities like Berlin-Adlershof, Braunschweig, and Bavaria.

After World War II, rules made it hard to do this kind of research, but things started to improve in the 1950s. By 1969, many smaller groups joined together to form a bigger organization. This group changed its name a few times and, in 1997, became what we now call the German Aerospace Center, or DLR.

Organisation

The German Aerospace Center, known as DLR, studies topics like airplanes, space, energy, transport, and safety. It helps plan Germany’s space projects for the government. DLR also manages money for research projects and shares knowledge with others.

In 2024, DLR received 1.701 billion euros for its work. This money came from the government and other sources. DLR is part of important groups that help with space and research standards.

Research overview

The German Aerospace Center, or DLR, studies many important areas like airplanes, space, energy, and how we travel. They also look at safety, protection, and how we use technology in new ways. DLR works with different groups, such as government offices and companies, to help make smart decisions and create new inventions.

DLR’s research in airplanes focuses on making flights safer and better for the environment. This includes studying new ways to power planes and reducing noise. In space, DLR works on satellites and missions to explore our solar system, while also thinking about keeping space clean. For energy, they look at ways to use wind and sun power more effectively. In transportation, DLR studies cars, trains, and ships to make them safer and cleaner. They also work on new technology to help keep people safe and to use smart systems in many areas.

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German Space Agency at DLR

The German Space Agency at DLR is Germany’s national space agency, based in Bonn. It has around 350 people and helps plan and manage Germany’s space activities. It works closely with the German government and handles important space tasks.

The agency helps plan space programs, represents Germany in international space groups like the ESA and EUMETSAT, and gives advice on space strategies. It also supports research, helps new space technologies, and works on projects to protect the climate and the environment. The agency also tells people about space and helps keep everyone safe by working with the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces.

Project management services

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has two special groups that help manage projects.

Since 1975, DLR Projektträger has helped manage research, learning, and new ideas for governments and groups. It makes plans, handles money for projects, talks with experts and the public, and helps use new ideas.

Since 1994, the Programme Management Agency for Aviation Research has helped with airplane research in Germany. It works with the country’s economy ministry to support airplane research and connects Germany with other European countries for joint projects.

Research aircraft

The German Aerospace Center operates Europe's largest fleet of research aircraft.

• Dornier 328 ″UpLift″
• Dassault Falcon 2000LX ″ISTAR″
• Gulfstream G550, ″HALO″
• Airbus A320-232 ″ATRA
• Research aircraft DO 228-212
• D-CMET – Dassault Falcon 20E-5
• Helicopter EC 135
• Helicopter BO 105 CB

Research and development activities

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) works on many important projects in aeronautics, space, energy, and transport. In aeronautics, DLR studies ways to make flying better for the environment. Projects like ALICIA look at how new airplane technologies affect the climate and the economy. The EXACT project explores electric airplane ideas, and HAP-alpha plans to create a solar-powered flying machine for tasks like watching Earth from above.

In space, DLR helps operate important satellites and space stations. The German Space Operations Center manages space missions, including work on the International Space Station. Satellites like TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X give detailed pictures of Earth’s surface. DLR also works on robots that can help explore places in space that are too dangerous for humans.

For energy, DLR researches wind and solar power. They test new wind turbine designs and study how to use solar energy to create clean fuels. In transport, DLR studies new ways people can move around, including electric cars, trains, and smart traffic systems. The DLR MovingLab collects data from smartphones to understand how people travel and how new transport ideas can work better.