Departments

The DLR Space Operations and Astronaut Training institution consists of 9 organisational units:

Mission Operations

The Mission Operations department fulfills the project related operational tasks associated with with human spaceflight and satellite missions. The main tasks include the planning and preparation of projects, the definition of ground system requirements, mission planning, the generation of operation procedures as well as tests, trainings and simulations. Head: Dr. Andreas Ohndorf

Mission Technology

he Mission Technology department coordinates the design, construction and maintenance of ground segments for GSOC projects. The core tasks include the design and the new and further development as well as the maintenance and continuous improvement of the mission control and data system (MCDS) and the mission planning system (MPS) as core components of a space control center. Head: Steffen Zimmermann

Communication and Ground Stations

Spacecraft operations require the transmission and reception of data signals from and to the spacecraft. This service is provided by an operational ground data transfer system which is part of the department "Communication and Ground Stations". Head: Josef Schrade

Spaceflight Technology

The Space Flight Technology department supports the satellite and sounding rocket missions operated here and it works on pioneering technologies for the space flight of the future. It develops innovative solutions for safe and efficient flight dynamics operations and provides them for current missions. It conducts research in the field of GNSS-based navigation, on-orbit servicing, space situational awareness, on-board autonomous data analysis and real-time communication. Head: Dr. Heike Frei

Astronaut Training

DLR's Astronaut Training department at the European Astronaut Centre is responsible for training ESA's astronauts, as well as those of the other ISS partners and in the meantime also astronauts from other institutional and commercial space organizations. Astronauts receive here their Basic Training as well as training on the European components of the ISS. Additionally, they are provided with support before, during and after their flights. Head: Dr. Sonja Brungs

Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC)

As the German microgravity user support center for space experiments, this department in Cologne is involved in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of space experiments. It supports scientists in the fields of materials science, life sciences and exploration experiments with its scientific/technical know-how and a corresponding infrastructure. Head: Dr. Jean-Pierre de Vera

Mobile Rocket Base

Since the 1960s, MORABA has been carrying out scientific sounding missions with unmanned rockets and balloons and developing mechanical and electrical systems. The areas of application for sounding rockets are diverse and range from atmospheric research, astronomy, hypersonic research and technology testing to experiments in zero gravity. For the planning, preparation and implementation of sounding rocket projects. Head: Dr. Rainer Kirchhartz

Control Room and Computing Center Infrastructure

The Control Room and Computing Center Infrastructure department is responsible for providing the highly available and secure infrastructure at the Space Operations Center. Head: Dr. Dorothea Richter

Controlling and Acquisition

The department Controlling and Acquisition is responsible for the administrational coordination of the entire institution Space Operations and Astronaut Training and carries out tasks in the areas of acquisition, business segment development, controlling and various management systems. Head: Martin Brandthaus