Thanks to Dieter Sabath, our students were able to see up close the inner workings of the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) and the team of dedicated engineers supervising everyday operations for the Columbus module onboard the International Space Station.
After the tour of GSOC and lunch in the canteen, a visit to the Institute of Communications and Navigation organized by Cécile Deprez followed. Here the students learned details on the next generation of CubeSats and laser communication, as well as how current satellites equipped with laser technology are being analysed and improved. Additionally, the problem of precise clocks for satellites was emphasized, which enables an accurate use of the global navigation system (GPS). In summary, the excursion allowed students to see the theory from our lectures applied in everyday life at a research and control center.
