Baden-Württemberg is known for its automotive industry. Less well known, however, is that this southwestern German state is also an important international hub for the aerospace industry. The close network of universities, research institutes, aerospace companies, suppliers and international partners makes this location one of the most important in Europe.
The aerospace industry has a stronghold in Baden-Württemberg
In addition to the University of Stuttgart, the University of Ulm, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, the Friedrichshafen University of Cooperative Education and the Ravensburg University of Cooperative Education, there is a dense network of business-oriented research institutions, in particular institutes of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Fraunhofer Society, the Baden-Württemberg Innovation Alliance and the Max Planck Institutes.
Companies range from leading international corporations such as Tesat-Spacecom and Thales to small and medium-sized enterprises. Innovative start-ups are also part of the mix. The companies develop and produce high-tech solutions for the aerospace industry and export them internationally. These companies are an integral part of the region's advanced technology ecosystem.
Approximately 16,000 people are employed in the aerospace industry in Baden-Württemberg, generating an annual revenue of around 5 billion euros – and rising. It is worth noting that companies based in Baden-Württemberg reinvest 17.5 percent of their revenue in research and development. The DLR institutes in and around Stuttgart are key innovation drivers in this network. They focus on aerospace, artificial intelligence, energy, transportation and security. They conduct both basic and applied research, including projects with industrial partners.
The Institute of Space Propulsion in Lampoldshausen is a center for research, development and testing
One DLR institute that will be presented in more detail in this article is the Institute of Space Propulsion in Lampoldshausen. Here, scientists, undergraduates and postgraduates from all over the world conduct research regarding the space propulsion systems of the future. These include propulsion systems with turbo pumps and technologies based on liquid hydrogen and liquified natural gas such as methane. In addition, the Lampoldshausen has rocket engine test benches that are unique in Europe.
Prof. Dr. Jan Deeken, head of the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion, explains: “In Lampoldshausen we operate key assets of the European space program, the larger test benches. In fact, every major rocket engine development program of the last decades has passed through Lampoldshausen at some point. This has made it an almost mythical place among insiders.”
A recent example is the Ariane 6 upper stage. The Ariane 6 Hot Firing Module (HFM) was tested five times at Lampoldshausen before its successful maiden flight in July 2024. A more recent test may have been at least as significant for the scientists in Lampoldshausen: the first successful hot-fire test of the LUMEN (Liquid Upper Stage Demonstrator Engine). The LUMEN project aims to create a modular and flexible test environment for engine components. It also aims to increase the institute's expertise in the field of rocket engines.
The LUMEN project paves the way to the future
The LUMEN test was the first test of a liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas engine in Germany. LUMEN is also the first engine with turbopumps to be developed and tested in Germany, according to DLR. "The fact that the first hot fire test worked is a great success," says LUMEN project manager Dr. Tobias Traudt, adding that it is not uncommon in the industry for an engine to be destroyed during its first test run. While the engine will not be used to propel a spacecraft in the future, it will serve as a test bench and accelerate future innovations. As the private and commercial space industries grow, demand is expected to increase.
A current research focus at LUMEN is machine learning and AI-based control of the entire engine. "We have already shown that this is possible," says Tobias Traudt. "First, we tested the oxygen pumps with controllers based on machine learning." After that test was successful, the researchers also instructed the computer to control thrust, cooling, and other variables for the entire engine. This led to the development of highly nonlinear models for complex systems like rocket engines.
In the future, scientists hope to use machine learning to monitor the health of engines. Sensors will provide data on the current state of the components so that the intelligent controller can take appropriate action. The goal of AI-based health monitoring is to significantly improve the life of the engine, saving money and resources. More importantly, it could be used in future interplanetary missions. "It would be very interesting on long missions to the Moon or Mars to have a better understanding of the health of the engines and the whole systems and to be able to take countermeasures in case of an unforeseen event".
Expertise in hydrogen is part of the equation
Their work on propulsion systems and fuels has made the researchers in Lampoldshausen leading hydrogen experts. "We have a growing department at our institute that deals with the transfer of the knowledge we have acquired over the past decades to the areas of mobility and industrial needs," says Prof. Jan Deeken. "This is a cross-cutting activity that we are very proud of and that we will continue to expand in the future," he adds.
The location is crucial for the current and future work in Lampoldshausen. “The proximity to the automotive industry is an invaluable advantage,” says project manager Tobias Traudt. “You’ll find every imaginable production method within 100 kilometers right here in Baden-Württemberg.” He sees great potential in the space industry start-ups located nearby. “This is a brand new industry that could be a new pillar in Germany’s economic future.” It is clearly a unique combination of leading international scientists, young researchers, top-notch technological facilities and a network of research institutes and businesses, suppliers, partners and customers that make DLR Lampoldshausen a special place. Whether it is the further development of rocket engines, improved testing and machine learning, or hydrogen technology and infrastructure, the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion in Lampoldshausen is where ideas for the future become reality.
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