Space @ TU Darmstadt

Space Technology - Space Missions - Interdisciplinary Topics

Open Lecture and Discussion for Members of TU Darmstadt and Guests

Is there space research at TU Darmstadt? The question is obvious, given that Darmstadt is known as "Europe’s Gateway to Space" thanks to being home to the European Space Operations Centre (ESA/ESOC) and the satellite operator EUMETSAT.

With the colloquium "Space @ TU Darmstadt," we organize an event series with a showcase character: on three to five evenings per semester, current and fundamental topics in space research are explored. In particular, the research conducted in Darmstadt will be highlighted here.

Summer Semester 2026

📅 Dates: 13.08.2026 & 17.09.2026

🕕 Time: 18:00 – 20:00

📍 Location: S105/122 "Maschinenhalle", Magdalenenstraße 12, 64289 Darmstadt

Lecture 1 - 13 August 2026 - 18:00

OPS‑SAT‑1: Opening a Spacecraft to the Community for Experimentation

• Speaker: Nuno Carvalho
  Spacecraft Operations Engineer for ESA/ESOC, Telespazio, Darmstadt, Germany
• Abstract: OPS-SAT-1 was a 3U CubeSat launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) on December 18, 2019, to provide a unique platform for testing and validating innovative space technologies, lowering the barriers for in-orbit experimentation, offering professionals, researchers, and students an unprecedented opportunity to trial cutting-edge concepts in a real-world environment. During the mission lifetime thousands of runs of 285 unique experiments across a wide range of topics, proposed by 134 teams, were executed. This lecture provides a brief overview of the challenges and design decisions involved in safely opening the platform to the community, the impact on the mission planning and scheduling, concept of operations and ground systems. Selected lessons learned are also highlighted to foster improvements for future missions.

Lecture 2 - 17 September 2026 - 18:00

From Rocket Propulsion to Space Transportation: Enabling Access to Space

• Speaker: Dr.-Ing Michael Börner
  Institute of Space Propulsion, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Lampoldshausen, Germany
  Lecturer, Institute of Gas Turbines and Flight Propulsion, TU Darmstadt
• Abstract: The current development of space transportation systems is accelerating worldwide while reliable and efficient space propulsion systems are essential for an independent access to space. In this talk, Michael Börner from the Institute of Space Propulsion of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) will provide an overview of current developments in space transportation and rocket propulsion worldwide. The presentation will highlight the technologies that enable today's launch systems, discuss major international developments and trends, and explore the challenges and innovations that will shape the next generation of space transportation. Based on research at the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion and at the Institute of Gas Turbines and Flight Propulsion at TU Darmstadt, the presentation will offer insights into propulsion technologies and the role of research in advancing Europe's independent access to space.

Picture: DLR, CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Previous events:

Organizer / Contact:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Reinhold Bertrand (Institute of Flight Systems and Automatic Control & ESA/ESOC)

TU Darmstadt Space Technology e.V.

www.tu-darmstadt.de/space
www.esa.int
www.tudsat.space/tuspace