The Institute of Space Propulsion

DLR Institute

Since its foundation in 1959, the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion has been the most important European research and testing facility for liquid-chemical rocket engines. On the 51-hectare site, 25 kilometers north-east of Heilbronn in Baden-Württemberg, a place of modern engine development has emerged from historical roots.

Video: The Institute of Space Propulsion in 3 minutes

Video: The Institute of Space Propulsion in 3 minutes

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Video: The Institute of Space Propulsion in 3 minutes

Space pioneer Eugen Sänger founded the research institute in Harthäuser Wald. For over 60 years, the propulsion systems with which future rockets will go on their journey into space have been tested here. Around 320 employees at the DLR institute research, develop and test innovative technologies for chemical space propulsion systems on a test facility infrastructure that is unique in Europe. Scientific expertise, unique infrastructure and openness to the use of future-oriented and cost-reducing technologies from the fields of digitalization and artificial intelligence complement the service portfolio. The DLR Institute is thus making its contribution to making the space flight of tomorrow more efficient, cost-effective and safer with innovative propulsion systems and environmentally friendly propellants.

Hydrogen has been an essential part of European space flight for over four decades. Today, the DLR Institute is working on transferring this historically grown knowledge to the energy and mobility sectors. The DLR researchers are promoting the production of "green" hydrogen as well as the expansion of a research and development platform in order to test hydrogen technologies in practice, develop them further and bring them into application. Close cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises and other scientific institutions enables rapid scaling and quick industrial implementation.

Guided tours for visitors at the DLR site in Lampoldshausen

We cordially invite you to get to know DLR Lampoldshausen better. To this end, we opened the DLR Forum for Space Propulsion in 2013. It offers all interested visitors the opportunity to gain an insight into our work and current developments at DLR.

Kontakt

Prof. Dr. Stefan Schlechtriem

Director
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Space Propulsion
Im Langen Grund, 74239 Hardthausen

Klaus Schäfer

Deputy Director
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Space Propulsion
Management and Institut Office
Im Langen Grund, 74239 Hardthausen
Germany

Isabell Böhringer

Institute Assistance
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Space Propulsion
Management and Institut Office
Im Langen Grund, Hardthausen 74239
Germany

Sandra Schiemer

Institute Assistance
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Space Propulsion
Management and Institut Office
Im Langen Grund, 74239 Hardthausen
Germany