Description of the institute

DLR is Germany's national research center for aeronautics and space. Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, transportation and energy is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. As Germany's Space Agency, the German federal government has given DLR responsibility for the forward planning and implementation of the German space programme as well as international representation of Germany's interests.

Aeronautics and space make substantial contributions to the way we live today. Aviation guarantees our global mobility and satellites enable worldwide communication. Remote sensing generates data about our environment, while the exploration of space leads to new knowledge about the origin and development of the Solar System, its planets, and, hence, about the creation of life.

Moreover, key industries, including materials technology, medicine and software engineering, all profit from innovations made by DLR in the fields of aeronautics and space.

DLR’s mission thus comprises:

• exploration of the Earth and the solar system
• research aimed at protecting the environment
• development of environmentally-friendly technologies to promote mobility, communication and security.

DLR’s research portfolio ranges from fundamental research to innovative development of the applications and products of tomorrow. In this way, DLR contributes the scientific and technical know-how that it has gained, thus enhancing Germany’s industrial and technological reputation. DLR operates large-scale research facilities for the center’s own projects and as a service provider for clients and partners. It also promotes the next generation of scientists, provides advisory services to the German government and is a driving force in the regions centred on its various locations.

Approximately 7000 people work for DLR; the center has 32 institutes and facilities at 16 locations in Germany: Augsburg, Berlin, Bonn, Braunschweig, Bremen, Cologne (headquarters), Goettingen, Hamburg, Juelich, Lampoldshausen, Neustrelitz, Oberpfaffenhofen, Stade, Stuttgart, Trauen and Weilheim. DLR also has offices in Brussels, Paris and Washington, D.C.

In 2010 the DLR budget for in-house research and development work and other internal operations amounts to approximately €745 million, of which approximately €400 million come from revenues earned by DLR. DLR also administers the space budget of the German government, which totals some €1033 million. 63 percent of this amount is the German contribution to ESA, 22 percent is the German national space program and 15 percent is DLR's own space research.