Institut für Raumfahrtsysteme (IRS)

Pfaffenwaldring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Tel. +49 (0)711/685-62375
Fax +49 (0)711/685-63596
sekretariat@irs.uni-stuttgart.de
Web: www.irs.uni-stuttgart.de

Institute administration:

Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Röser (Executive Director)
Prof. Dr. Ernst Messerschmid (Deputy Director)
Prof. Dr. Alfred Krabbe - Airborne Astronomy and Space Science Missions / German SOFIA Institute (DSI)
Prof. Dr. Stefan Schlechtriem - Chemical Propulsion
Prof. (NN) - Space Transport Technology

Contact Persons:

Space Systems and Space Applications:
Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Röser

Small Satellite Program and Ground Station:
Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Röser

Mission and Systems Analysis:
Dr.-Ing. Georg Herdrich

Multispectral Remote Sensing / UAV "Stuttgarter Adler":

Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Röser

Astronautics & Space Stations:
Prof. Dr. Ernst Messerschmid

Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Röser

Electric Propulsion:
Dr.-Ing. Georg Herdrich

Reentry Technology:
Dr.-Ing. Georg Herdrich

Plasma Technology:
Dr.-Ing. Georg Herdrich

Laboratory Administration / Plasma Wind Tunnels
Dr.-Ing. Stefan Löhle

Magnetohydrodynamics:
Dr.-Ing. Georg Herdrich

Aerothermodynamics:
Dipl.-Ing. Dejan Petkow

Measuring Techniques for flowing plasmas:
Dr.-Ing. Georg Herdrich

Plasma Modeling and Numerical Simulation:
Dipl.-Ing. Dejan Petkow

Sensor Development for Flight- and High-Temperature-Applications
Dr.-Ing. Georg Herdrich

High Temperature Superconductors

Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Röser

Chemical Propulsion:
Prof. Dr. Stefan Schlechtriem

German SOFIA Institute (DSI):
Prof. Dr. Alfred Krabbe

Main Occupations:

Astronautics and Space Stations:

Simulation of complete systems and subsystems of space stations, methodology and computer tools for the system design of complex orbital systems, payload accomodation onboard of space stations, analysis of the natural and artificially induced space station environment, design of space station experiments particularly in the area of in-situ gas measurement technology.

Small Satellites and Instruments:

Design, Construction and Operation of Small Satellites:
"Flying Laptop" in LEO and Lunar Mission BW1 to the moon. Operation of a Satellite Ground Station. Development of Satellite Bus Technology. Instrument Development with smart sensorics for in-situ instruments and sensors as well as observation instruments (cameras, spectrometers) for remote sensing.

Infrared Astronomy:

With the stratospheric research airplane SOFIA and instruments developed at IRS, work on questions of star development, the interstellar medium and exoplants is being done. A moon mission with a small satellite is in preparation.

Earth Remote Sensing:

Multispectral Remote Sensing of Earth's athmosphere and surface with emphasis on improvement of the accuracy of existing Remote Sensing techniques. Starting from the properties of the sensors, different methods for the deduction of athmospheric and surface parameters and BRDF are analysed and newly developed if necessary. The algorithms are tested for accuracy and validated together with partners from the respective departments.

Space Transport Technology:

Development of Arcjet propulsion in the power range of 0,5 kW und 1 MW, Analyses of ion propulsion. Development and operation of plasma wind tunnels for qualification of numerical methods and heatshield materials for reentry vehicles, interplanetary sondes and rocket combustion chambers.

Measurement Methods:

Development and qualification of measurement methods for characterizing of plasmas as well as tested materials (heatshield systems, combustion chamber materials, etc.). Dimensioning, design and qualification of measurement methods and operation condition control systems for measurements during athmospheric reentry maneuvers, in rocket combustion chambers and other high temperature applications. Measurement devices for characterization and monitoring of propulsion systems.

Plasma Technology:

Development of plasma generators and -systems for material coating, -refinement and pollutant disposal. Depending on the specification profile, different plasma generator types are being used.

Mission and Systems Analysis:

Development of numerical analysis, simulation and optimization methods for flight performance prediction and dimensioning of future space vehicles. In mission and system studies, the flight performances and loads of different launch- and orbital systems as well as reentry vehicles are optimized and flight guidance concepts are developed. Development of a small satellite as reentry vehicle.

Aerothermodynamics:

Numerical calculation of aerothermodynamical loads on space vehicles during athmospheric entry of different bodies with regard to the thermochemical relaxation processes in the gaseous phase and the real gas-surface-interaction as well as the gas radiation during hypersonic entry.

Nanostructures and Mesoscopic Systems:

Development of nano-structured semiconducting detectors for FIR Heterodyn-spectroscopy for use onboard of SOFIA and satellites. Examination of new materials. Theoretical investigation of electron transport phenomena in small structures.

Qualification:

Longtime research experience in the mentioned fields of activity. Cooperation contracts with national and international scientific associations and industry.

Facilities:

Laboratory for Plasma Technology:
Central vacuum pump system with a final pressure of 6,5 x 10^-6 bar at a maximum throughput of >250,000 m³/h at 10^-1 mbar. More than ten vacuum recipients with different volume (from 1 m³ to about 15 m³), current rectifier for max. 6 MW, radio frequency generator with up to 375 kW input power and a frequency range of 0.5 to 1.5 MHz. Five plasma wind tunnels for material research in high-enthalpy gases (0.5 MJ/kg to 150 MJ/kg) in the pressure range of 0.5 mbar to 1.5 bar with beam diameters up to 350 mm. Several propulsion test stands for arcjet engines in the power range of 0.5 kW to 1 MW. One test stand for ion engines and Applied Field-MPD thrusters, equipped with diffusion pumps. All engine test stands are equipped with thrust measurement devices.

Satellite ground station with UHF, VHF, L- and S-Band-Antennas and Satellite Control Center. Ka-Band-Antenna in preparation

Satellite integration room and satellite testing facilities

Space elektronics laboratory

Mechanical Workshop

Computer networks: 20 Workstations, 70 PCs, Access to mainframes at the university's computing center.

Facilities for technology development for industrial applications

SOFIA:
Stratosperical Observatory For Infrared Astronomy. Boeing 747-SP with IR-Telescope (2,7 m diameter). The German SOFIA Institute (DSI) is responsible for the German part of the operation of the American-German project with operation bases in California and Stuttgart.