German Aerospace Center

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is Germany’s national aerospace research institution, responsible for scientific research, technology development, and mission management in aviation, space, energy, transport, security, and digitization. It operates research laboratories, test facilities, and Earth-observation satellites, supports the European Space Agency (ESA), and advances innovations ranging from cleaner aircraft technologies to robotics and planetary exploration.

The DLR’s Institute of Solar Research (formerly known as the Institute of Concentrated Solar Technologies) develops and tests high-temperature solar power systems—including solar towers, parabolic troughs, and thermal energy storage—to advance efficient, renewable electricity and industrial heat production.