Goals
The scientists involved in aeronautics, space and transport research address the major challenges of society in the fields of mobility, information systems, communication, resource management, the environment and safety. They develop concepts and solutions and provide advice for policymakers. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is Germany’s national centre for aeronautics and space research. On behalf of the German government and in its role as the German space agency, the DLR is responsible for research in the national aerospace programme and for Germany’s contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA). The Helmholtz DLR@UNI Alliance provides a framework for content-based partnerships between universities and the DLR’s facilities at 16 locations throughout Germany. At the same time, the DLR works closely with other Helmholtz research centres, particularly in the areas of energy research and research on Earth and the environment. It also collaborates with the private sector, one example being the TAMS project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. Together with Siemens and the various medium-sized companies involved in this project, the DLR has demonstrated how integrating ground and air-based systems at airports can reduce costs, emissions, delays and noise. Close cooperation with industry has also been required for the E-City Logistics project in the “model regions” of Berlin and Brandenburg. Supported by DHL and the Meyer & Meyer logistics company, this project focused on the pilot use of electric vehicles for urban delivery services and, with its research findings, has made a major contribution to the use of such vehicles in the logistics sector. Finally, within the scope of the EU’s COFRET project, the DLR has worked with Deutsche Bahn, Maersk and other industrial partners to develop a practical methodology for calculating CO₂ emissions along supply chains and has thus laid the foundation for international standardisation in this field. 

Programme structure in the funding period 2009-2013
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is the only Helmholtz centre in the field of aeronautics, space and transport research.

Scientists conduct research and collaborate in the following three programmes:

• Aeronautics
• Space
• Transport

Outlook
In addition to the ever-evolving implementation of current research themes, the scientists in this research field will collaborate with industry on research projects devoted to aircraft simulation, next generation rail-based vehicles and the development of spacecraft re-entry technologies. In 2011, the DLR established an internal maritime safety research group in order to pool and expand research in the various DLR institutes. The activities in this area are supported by a positively evaluated portfolio proposal entitled “R&D and Real-Time Services for Maritime Safety.”