DLR stands for "Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt" (German Aerospace Center) which is the national center for aerospace, energy and transportation research of the Federal Republic of Germany.
It is the largest national research organization in the field of aerospace and the leading German space organization.
DLR conducts research and development in a variety of fields including:
- Aeronautics: This includes research on aircraft design, propulsion systems, and flight mechanics.
- Space: This includes research on space technology, earth observation, and space exploration.
- Energy: This includes research on renewable energy, energy storage and energy efficiency.
- Transport: This includes research on sustainable transportation systems, road traffic and intelligent transport systems.
Examples of DLR's activities and achievements in the aerospace context include:
- The development of the Ariane 5 rocket engine
- The design and development of the ROSAT X-ray telescope, which was launched in 1990
- The development of the Galileo satellite navigation system
- The design and development of the DLR-H2 hydrogen-powered aircraft
- The development and operation of the TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X radar satellites, which are used for earth observation, mapping and natural resources management.
- The participation in international space missions such as the European Space Agency's (ESA) Rosetta and Mars Express mission, and the NASA's Cassini-Huygens mission
- The development of various wind tunnel facilities for testing aircraft and engines under realistic conditions
DLR is an important contributor to the German and European aerospace research and technology development and continuously working on new cutting-edge technologies for space and aircrafts.