Utilization of sounding rockets and balloons in the German Space Programme

Sounding rockets and balloons are important research tools in the German Space Programme. The German Aerospace Center DLR manages and supports major elements of these activities and promotes scientific experiments as well as validation programmes within the following core areas: (1) Space Science, (2) Earth Observation and (3) Research under Space Conditions ("Microgravity Research"). Multilateral and international cooperation is an essential feature of these activities. In Space Science most activities are performed in the field of atmospheric research at present. Concerning Earth Observation balloon-borne measurements play a key role in the validation of atmospheric satellite sounders (ENVISAT). TEXUS and MAXUS sounding rockets have proven to be extremely useful for short duration microgravity experiments.