DL­R­magazine 164 – Rolling out the red car­pet for IS­TAR

Abstract

A special kind of star is seen behind a curtain on the cover of the latest DLRmagazine. Its name, ISTAR, stands for In-flight Systems and Technology Airborne Research. Its future is clear: gradually expanded and equipped with highly specialised measurement technology, the latest addition to DLR's research aircraft fleet should soon be able to simulate the flight characteristics of any aircraft in flight. In the April issue of the DLRmagazine, you can also expect to meet stars made of flesh and blood, such as Jessika Wichner, the head of the DLR Central Archive. She spends her days preserving the past and present for the future. Our partners in conversation on the subject of aviation also look to the future: atmospheric researcher Sigrun Matthes reports on how non-carbon dioxide effects influence the climate, and Christian Eschmann talks about unmanned aircraft systems and their influence on the air traffic of the future. Our future mobility is also the subject of the article about the Test Field in Lower Saxony. DLR is investigating autonomous driving functions there. Space enthusiasts will get an in-depth look at a 'planetary affair'. What do we know about our planetary neighbour Venus and what we have yet to learn. Although our lives have somewhat been turned around in spring of 2020 and all kinds of things are uncertain, the DLRmagazine brings to you its reports, interviews and news from DLR's research and development … and work on the summer edition is already underway!