Today, aerospace is one of the key technologies of the future; aviation and space equally hold out the promise of scientific progress, technological sovereignty and societal benefits. Investment in research and development is therefore crucial. In aviation, the focus is on climate-neutral flying, safe mobility and competitiveness. In the space sector, the priority is global connectivity, navigation, earth observation, safety and security, climate action and space research. Both sectors are making essential contributions to solving key future challenges – at national, European and global level. Aerospace thus plays a major part in Germany’s capacity for technological innovation. It is also important to identify new dependencies, reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience. For that reason, the Federal Government also underlines the strategic importance of aerospace in the High-Tech Agenda Germany.
Climate neutrality and technological competitiveness are key objectives in the Federal Government’s aviation policy. With its aviation strategy and the civil aviation research programme LuFo VII, it is providing targeted support for climate-friendly, electric and hydrogen-based propulsion, as well as industrial research and disruptive technologies. There is also a focus on living labs, test environments and unmanned aerial systems, in order to trial new applications and accelerate technological developments.
Researching the universe continuously expands the limits of our knowledge and what is technologically feasible. The Federal Government is consistently driving forward German space activities, together with European and international partners. It is implementing its own space strategy through the German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). As part of this, support is being provided for research, technological development, STEM education and new business models. Germany is actively shaping the programmes of the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and the EU, and cooperating with space agencies around the world.
This includes scientific space research through missions, probes, instruments and telescopes, as well as the operation of powerful satellite systems for communication, navigation, security, weather forecasting, climate observation and environmental monitoring. Programmes such as IRIS², Galileo and Copernicus are creating a reliable infrastructure for the internet, navigation and earth observation. In addition, the Federal Government is specifically bolstering the commercial space sector: from small launchers to new digital applications. The Federal Government is also working to ensure that space is used sustainably.
The rise in the use of space is also increasing the risks. Germany is monitoring the space situation together with partners, investing in responsive satellites and working towards international rules. The aim is free, safe, secure and sustainable access to space.
More detailed information can be found in Chapter 4 of the Federal Report (in German).