AIAA-99-3901

ACTIVITIES OF THE LTA COMMITTEE OF THE GERMAN AEROSPACE SOCIETY DGLR

Dipl.-Phys. Jürgen K. Bock, Chairman DGLR LTA Committee SLTA Engineering-Consulting, 27804 Berne-Coldewei,

Abstract In addition, the potentials of unmanned have attracted special attention, The LTA Committee of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Society for Aeronautics 1. Introduction and Astronautics) was founded in 1974 and has consequently conducted several detailed studies on the The history of the German Society for Aeronautics and economy of large carriers and on the viability Astronautics DGLR (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- of airships to be used as research platforms in various und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V.) began more scenarios. The Committee then followed a strict policy than 80 years ago on April 12th, 1912, in Berlin with of technical and economic viability, i.e. to be as the foundation of the Scientific Society for Flight innovative as necessary and to be as conservative as Technology (Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für possible. Flugtechnik), which later transformed into the Scientific Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics The German reunification coincided with an era of WGLR (Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Luft- und renewed interest in LTA technology with a variety of Raumfahrt). The activities of both the WGLR and the new technologies, projects and interdiciplinary German Society for Rocket Technology and research aspects. The Committee, now augmented by a Spaceflight DGRR (Deutsche Gesellschaft für group of East German scientists and engineers, has Raketentechnik und Raumfahrt) have then been assumed the initiative to collect the representatives of combined by the foundation of the DGLR. the various activities in annual conferences since 1993, in most cases extending over two days. With the objective to provide a common voice encompassing all aerospace-dedicated individuals with The topics covered may be categorized in the following a more effective impact on public opinion, the DGLR manner: has merged on July 27th, 1993, with further historic · general technology analyses and professional societies and has assumed the official · economic and operations analyses name · presentation of new concepts and projects · experimental data Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - · balloon technology Lilienthal-Oberth e.V. · interdisciplinary research (bionics, zoology etc.) · unmanned vehicles - propulsion, guidance and thus including the names of the two spear-heading control renown German aviation and astronautics pioneers · analyses concerning on-going problem areas Otto Lilienthal (1848-1896) and Hermann Oberth · history, personalities etc. (1894-1989).

It has been noted that, in many cases, the conference Prominent members, honorary members and award gave the opportunity to present progress reports on winners of the DGLR are for instance: current projects. Moreover, according to DGLR policy, Dr. Ludwig Bölkow, Wernher von Braun, Prof. Dr. students and junior engineers is given the opportunity Claude Dornier, Prof. Dr. Henrich Focke, to report on their ongoing projects. Particular aspects Dr. Reinhard Furrer, Sir Frederick Handley Page, Prof. of economic and operational interest are e.g. heavy Dr. Dr. Theodor von Kármán, Dr. Ulf Merbold, Prof. cargo transportation, maneuverability and ground Dr. Ernst Messerschmid, Dr. Hans J. Pabst von Ohain. handling, surveillance and research platforms, The DGLR thus offers a broad spectrum of in-depth advertising and tourism . ______education and exchange of experience to all members. Copyright © 1999 by the DGLR. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. with permission.

1 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA-99-3901

2. Organization of the DGLR 2.2 Committees

2.1 Board of Directors