Cooperation agreement between DLR and Tesat-Spacecom seals collaboration in the development of optical free-space communication technologies

PI1275 – Backnang, 10.06.2016: As part of the 50th anniversary of the Institute for Communication and Navigation of the DLR, Prof. Pascale Ehrenfreund, CEO DLR, and Andreas Hammer, Managing Director Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG, signed yesterday in Oberpfaffenhofen a cooperation agreement on collaboration in the field of free-space optical communication technologies for space applications.

The cooperation between the German Centre for Aerospace and the aerospace company from Backnang has been around for many years and several well-known projects and programs in this time have been led to success by using experts from both sides. Among these we find, for example, the first maritime distress satellite that later went into operation as INMARSAT, and the Laser Communication Terminal (LCT), which is nowadays not only used in the European Data Relay System (EDRS), but knows also other commercial applications.

The constant exchange of knowledge of both parties and joint research project in the freespace communication for space applications will be the focus of future collaboration of TesatSpacecom and the DLR. “The technology of free-space optical communication opens a new dimension in the available transmission capacity in satellite communications.” Said Institute Director Professor Günther, “Tesat-Spacecom is the ideal partner to live up to our claim to develop pioneering technologies.”

About Tesat: Over the course of five decades, Tesat-Spacecom has developed in-depth expertise in manufacturing of payload equipment for communication satellites and has established itself as a clear European market leader. On its 60,000m² premises in Backnang, Germany, 1,200 employees develop, assemble, integrate, and test systems and equipment for telecommunication via satellite. To date, more than 700 space projects have been completed. The accumulated in orbit lifetime heritage exceeds 250 million hours.

Further information for journalists:
Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co KG
Nina Backes, Communications
Gerberstrasse 49, D-71522 Backnang
Tel.: +49-7191-930-1126
E-Mail: info[at]tesat.de