Expertise

The DLR Institute of Space Propulsion tests liquid chemical space propulsion and propulsion systems on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA), industry and cooperating research institutions. DLR employees research and develop application-oriented and advanced propulsion technologies, components and propellants. The activities cover the entire range of technology readiness levels (TRL). In addition, the experience in dealing with hydrogen is transferred to the fields of aviation, energy and safety, and the knowledge of scramjet technologies and the corresponding testing options is brought into the field of safety.

The DLR Institute offers the entire portfolio from basic research to flight qualification of engines and upper stages, making it one of the strategically relevant locations for modern test infrastructure in Europe. With a comprehensive range of services, the DLR Institute has unique expertise:

  • The development, construction and safe operation of large-scale facilities for testing cryogenic and storable rocket engines in all technology maturity levels
  • The altitude simulation test benches and the know-how for testing upper stage engines under realistic space conditions
  • The understanding of complete propulsion systems using the example of the DLR engine demonstrator LUMEN including turbopumps
  • Air heaters for the operation of supersonic combustion chambers
  • The development, characterization and testing of advanced sustainable propellants
  • The acquisition and processing of a large amount of experimental data, used for AI training, among other things
  • By linking computer simulations and artificial intelligence with engine tests on test benches, the development time of new technologies is significantly shortened
  • Research and further development of basic processes in rocket combustion chambers on several small test benches and laboratories
  • Optical or spectroscopic measurement and visualization of flow processes
  • Enabling technology transfer from the space sector to the energy and transport sectors
  • Conducting safe and controlled test operations in compliance with all applicable regulations and laws
Expertise

Topic Space Flight

The DLR test site in Lampoldshausen is an important German contribution to securing Europe's independent access to space and the success of current and future European space projects. To this end, the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion offers companies and organizations the site's services and test facilities.

Expertise

Topic Hydrogen

The DLR Institute of Space Propulsion's experience and expertise in the development, construction and operation of liquid and gaseous hydrogen systems enables it to make a decisive contribution to the energy transition in Germany, in which hydrogen is a key element.

Expertise

Topic Applied Safety Research

The operation of the test site with its test facilities is subject to the statutory Hazardous Incident Ordinance. This experience and expertise enables additional cooperation with external and internal partners, for example in the area of reactive space or the use of drones for safety monitoring.