About DLR Magazine of DLR, the German Aerospace Center · www.DLR.de/en · September 2012 DLR, the German Aerospace Center, is Germany’s national research centre for aeronautics and space. Its extensive re search and development work in aero- 134 ·135 nautics, space, transport and energy is maGazıne integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. As Germany’s Space Agency, the German Federal Government Nr. 134/135 · September 2012 has given DLR the responsibility for the plan­­ning and implementation of the German space programme, as well as the international representation of Germany’s interests in this field. Approximately 7000 people work for DLR The ash that shut at 16 locations in Germany: Cologne (Headquarters), Augsburg, Berlin, Bonn, down Europe Braunschweig, Bremen, Göttingen, Hamburg, Jülich, Lampoldshausen, Neu- s tre litz, Oberpfaffen hofen, Stade, Stutt- Where does the risk actually lie? gart, Trauen and Weilheim. DLR also has offices in Brussels, Paris, Singapore and Washington DC. Imprint DLR Magazine – the magazine of the German Aerospace Center Publisher: DLR German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) Editorial staff: Sabine Göge (Legally responsible for editorial content), Cordula Tegen, Marco Trovatello (Editorial management), Karin Ranero Celius, Peter Clissold, Sean Blair (English-language Editors, EJR-Quartz BV) In this edition, contributions from: Manuela Braun, Dirma van Eck, Merel Groentjes, Elisabeth Mittelbach, Hans-Leo Richter and Michel Winand DLR Corporate Communications Linder Höhe, D 51147 Cologne Telephone: +49 (0) 2203 601 2116 Fax: +49 (0) 2203 601 3249 Email: [email protected] Web: www.DLR.de/dlr-magazine Printing: Druckerei Thierbach, D 45478 Mülheim an der Ruhr Design: CD Werbeagentur GmbH, D 53842 Troisdorf, www.cdonline.de ISSN 2190-0108 To order and read online: www.DLR.de/magazine Content reproduction allowed only with the prior permission of the publisher and must include a reference to the source. Some English-language material has been translated from the German original. The respective author(s) are responsible for technical accuracy of the articles. Printed on recycled, chlorine-free bleached paper. All images are property of DLR and published under a CC-BY 3.0 unported license unless other- Arrow in the blue wise stated. The launch of SHEFEX II · www.DLR.de/en 134·135 Final destination azıne The Lotnictwa Polskiego Museum G ma DLR CONTENTS | DLR maGazıne 134 · 135 | 3 DLR maGazıne 134 ·135 Editorial 3 Nuptse on a USB stick Dear readers, Remote sensing and climbing 32 Perspective 4 It really is taking place! A bit later in the year than usual, the ILA Berlin Air Show 2012 opened its doors on 11 September. With a Commentary novel look and in a new venue, the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport, it Appealing, yet challenging 6 has been organised jointly by Messe Berlin and the German Aerospace Industries Association (Bundesverband der Deutschen In brief 8 Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie; BDLI). The modern exhibition centre, south of Schönefeld Airport, is showcasing a vibrantly The ash that shut down Europe exciting trade fair, where every major player in the aerospace When volcanoes meet aircraft 10 community is participating. This ‘home match’ is an opportunity for DLR to present its An office with a view research topics in a stand extending over almost 500 square The future of air traffic management 14 Arrow in the blue metres and an open-air exhibition area that is almost as big. The launch of SHEFEX II 38 Inside Hall 4, we are presenting cutting-edge research and results from our aerospace institutes, in collaboration with our An interrupted world French partner, CNES; outside, we are displaying our fleet of Vesta – different from the rest 44 research aircraft. HALO, a customised Gulfstream G550 that has been modified by our research groups for use as an atmospheric Watching over our changing planet research aircraft, is not to be missed. It is making its big public Remote sensing symposium in Munich 48 debut in Berlin before setting off on its first purely scientific mission. Setting the scene for science Melanie von der Wiesche 50 DLR is also playing a part in yet another highlight, one found only at ILA and no other aerospace exhibition – the Space Prepare for take-off Pavilion. With our partners, the European Space Agency and the 40 Flying with the Sun Alexander Gerst gets ready for the ISS 54 German aerospace industry – represented by the BDLI – we have DLR and Solar Impulse 18 created ‘Space World’, with all current satellite missions for environmental, weather and geographical information. Here, Arrow in the blue … such stuff as dreams are made of we present practical applications of technologies developed for A century of aviation materials research 22 planetary rovers that have already found their way into modern As the roof of the hall on the Norwegian Andøya Rocket Range road vehicle development. Also, we draw attention to problems slid open, the view of a bright summer evening came to sight. down here on Earth, such as the melting of the Arctic and The countdown for the launch of the SHEFEX II spacecraft had Antarctic ice caps. Here too, satellites are of assistance; they not begun. After seven years of research and development work, the only enable us to watch these processes unfold, but help us to day had come to test the performance of another sharp-edged understand them as well. Space is now part of our daily lives. spacecraft. DLR Magazine was there as researchers from seven We watch television without concerning ourselves about how DLR institutes anxiously awaited the launch of SHEFEX II, and as the signals actually reach us, and we listen to that pleasant GPS it rocketed into the sky. voice that guides us through unknown territory; navigation Germany’s eye on Mercury systems have become an accepted feature of modern life. These MERTIS on BepiColombo 58 services are founded on incredible engineering skills. In the Space Pavilion, we are able to experience that early amazement while learning more in the process, just as you can with this edition of DLR Magazine. Intelligence on wheels The partner country at this year’s ILA is Poland. Logically The Railway Collision Avoidance System 26 enough, we journeyed there to give you an insight into one of Europe’s most extensive aircraft collections. We also give you a peek of the next German astronaut’s training and tell you all about when SHEFEX II tested a completely new shape for space- craft. DLR researchers also tell you precisely what happens when volcanic ash enters an aircraft engine; forewarned is forearmed. In this spirit, I wish you a safe and exciting read… Final destination The Lotnictwa Polskiego Museum 60 Sabine Göge Head of DLR Corporate Communications Reviews 66 Step into tomorrow’s train NGT at InnoTrans 2012 28 CONTENTS | DLR maGazıne 134 · 135 | 3 DLR maGazıne 134 ·135 Editorial 3 Nuptse on a USB stick Dear readers, Remote sensing and climbing 32 Perspective 4 It really is taking place! A bit later in the year than usual, the ILA Berlin Air Show 2012 opened its doors on 11 September. With a Commentary novel look and in a new venue, the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport, it Appealing, yet challenging 6 has been organised jointly by Messe Berlin and the German Aerospace Industries Association (Bundesverband der Deutschen In brief 8 Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie; BDLI). The modern exhibition centre, south of Schönefeld Airport, is showcasing a vibrantly The ash that shut down Europe exciting trade fair, where every major player in the aerospace When volcanoes meet aircraft 10 community is participating. This ‘home match’ is an opportunity for DLR to present its An office with a view research topics in a stand extending over almost 500 square The future of air traffic management 14 Arrow in the blue metres and an open-air exhibition area that is almost as big. The launch of SHEFEX II 38 Inside Hall 4, we are presenting cutting-edge research and results from our aerospace institutes, in collaboration with our An interrupted world French partner, CNES; outside, we are displaying our fleet of Vesta – different from the rest 44 research aircraft. HALO, a customised Gulfstream G550 that has been modified by our research groups for use as an atmospheric Watching over our changing planet research aircraft, is not to be missed. It is making its big public Remote sensing symposium in Munich 48 debut in Berlin before setting off on its first purely scientific mission. Setting the scene for science Melanie von der Wiesche 50 DLR is also playing a part in yet another highlight, one found only at ILA and no other aerospace exhibition – the Space Prepare for take-off Pavilion. With our partners, the European Space Agency and the 40 Flying with the Sun Alexander Gerst gets ready for the ISS 54 German aerospace industry – represented by the BDLI – we have DLR and Solar Impulse 18 created ‘Space World’, with all current satellite missions for environmental, weather and geographical information. Here, Arrow in the blue … such stuff as dreams are made of we present practical applications of technologies developed for A century of aviation materials research 22 planetary rovers that have already found their way into modern As the roof of the hall on the Norwegian Andøya Rocket Range road vehicle development. Also, we draw attention to problems slid open, the view of a bright summer evening came to sight. down here on Earth, such as the melting of the Arctic and The countdown for the launch of the SHEFEX II spacecraft had Antarctic ice caps. Here too, satellites are of assistance; they not begun. After seven years of research and development work, the only enable us to watch these processes unfold, but help us to day had come to test the performance of another sharp-edged understand them as well.