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From space to Earth – Technology transfer for societal progress

The technologies developed at DFKI have a far-reaching impact, extending well beyond space travel. They create tangible social value on Earth, for instance by enabling more precise climate and environmental observation and more effective disaster prevention. 

© THW/Yann Walsdorf
AI-supported robot for material transport in disaster relief operations, developed in collaboration with the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW)

Autonomous robotics enables operations in extreme or dangerous environments such as the deep sea, disaster areas and mines, while also promoting innovative applications in logistics, production and agriculture. Adaptive AI systems and exoskeletons are opening up new approaches in medical rehabilitation and industrial work environments by providing targeted human support. Virtual training environments with haptic feedback improve preparation for manned space missions and could also be used to train rescue workers and in industrial training.

Intelligent technologies are changing the way we explore space and how we live and work on Earth. They represent a new approach to space travel, focusing on sustainability, cooperation and human responsibility. What is tested in orbit today will drive progress on Earth tomorrow, and vice versa.

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Further articles on space explorations

DFKI4Space
  1. © ESA

    Future concepts for autonomous, AI-supported space missions

    The Cyber-Physical Systems research department develops new concepts for autonomous and AI-enabled missions aimed at fundamentally transforming space exploration.
  2. © DFKI, Tobias Stark

    Autonomous robotics for space exploration

    The Robotics Innovation Center has been developing autonomous mobile systems for over two decades, capable of independently exploring other planets and performing complex tasks.
  3. Trümmer und defekte Raketenstufen im geostationären Ring.© ESA

    AI for collision avoidance in orbit

    The Smart Data & Knowledge Services research department has been focusing extensively on AI-based analysis of the orbits of active and inactive satellites as well as known space debris.
  1. © Novespace

    Intelligent technologies for astronaut training

    The Robotics Innovation Center and Cognitive Assistants research departments are exploring innovative training methods to prepare astronauts efficiently and realistically for future missions – already here on Earth.
  2. © ESA/ATG medialab

    AI for Earth observation

    The Smart Data & Knowledge Services research department focuses on developing AI-based methods that efficiently process raw satellite data and transform it into actionable knowledge.
  3. © DFKI, Thomas Frank

    Space research in national and international collaborations

    The DFKI collaborates within a close network of leading national and international space agencies, research institutes, and top companies in the space industry.

Unique research and testing infrastructure for space robots

© DFKI, Annemarie Popp

The Robotics Innovation Center in Bremen features a highly specialized research and testing infrastructure that enables the practical development and evaluation of robotic systems under realistic conditions. Systems, modules, and control units are tested iteratively to systematically increase their technology readiness and gradually adapt them to the requirements of planetary and orbital missions.

Test facilities:

  • Crater landscape: Simulates Moon and Mars conditions, including slopes of up to 45°.
  • Maritime Exploration Hall: Underwater and microgravity experiments with motion tracking.
  • Virtual Reality Lab: Immersive environment for simulation, mission control, and teleoperation.
  • ISO-compliant cleanroom: Hardware and electronics integration and quality control.

Field tests worldwide:
Testing under space-analog conditions on Earth, e.g., deserts, lava caves, or ice-covered waters.

ESA_Lab@DFKI – AI for space

OPS-SAT der ESA, ein 2019 ins All geschickter Mini-Satellit© ESA

To develop new AI technologies and applications for civil spaceflight, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the DFKI established the ESA_Lab@DFKI.

At the transfer lab in Kaiserslautern, researchers from both institutions work together on:

  • AI systems for analyzing complex Earth observation data
  • Solutions for satellite collision avoidance

This collaboration fosters a close exchange between research and practical space operations.