In the Helmholtz Programme “Space”, scientists and researchers not only explore the solar system and the universe, but also develop and advance space flight, draw up technical solutions for transport and landing craft, and prepare concrete missions. All this includes collaboration with partners from industry, research institutions, universities, authorities and agencies, as well as public institutions. Hence, the Helmholtz Space Programme is a central link between all the stakeholders and players contributing to space research. The goals for the next five years build on the results and challenges that came with the first funding period. In the field of Earth Observation, the national missions TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X and EnMAP, the missions of ESA and EUMETSAT and the European GMES Initiative represent a priority focus.

For the field of satellite communication, the deployment and use of optical connections through to the creation of a satellite-based terabits/s transport and distribution network is being researched and developed. In the field of satellite navigation, the focus is on creating Galileo and developing applications for it. The research on weightlessness, in particular on the ISS, which is just about to enter its full usage phase, will produce new insights into the material and life sciences. The future use of space for scientific, applied, tourist and technology missions calls for new key technologies in order to facilitate economic and safe space transport. Such key technologies are being studied and researched at the DLR.