Gernot Rücker

As part of the feasibility study “Dynamic Infrared Earth Observation in Inclined Orbit (DIEGOSat),” the GEI, based in Wegberg, is bringing two selected Young Future Professionals (YFP) – students or young professionals from the United Arab Emirates – to Germany to work on the project. The aim is to give the two participants a thorough insight into the project, actively involve them in the project work and thereby make a concrete contribution to the project’s success. At the same time, this exchange is intended to identify and develop potential for future cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia and the UAE in the field of high technology. Both participants from the UAE are expected to come to North Rhine-Westphalia at the same time for a period of approximately two weeks. The exact dates are yet to be determined.

With the support of the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Economic Affairs, a consortium of scientists and industry representatives has launched the DIEGOSat satellite project. Under the leadership of Dr. Johannes Schultz from Ruhr University Bochum, a thermal infrared sensor originally developed for the ISS will be operated on its own satellite in the future.

DIEGOSat provides thermal imaging data with high temporal resolution and enables applications in environmental monitoring, agriculture, and disaster control. With up to three flyovers per day over Germany, vegetation, drought, water requirements, and fires can be monitored precisely, allowing for better assessment of crop failures, drought, and environmental hazards.

Researchers at the University of Bonn are supporting the project with simulations to optimize the satellite sensor for various applications. The feasibility study currently underway is defining the technical requirements, objectives, and data products. With funding of around 300,000 euros from the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, the foundation is being laid for the construction of the satellite and the establishment of a control and evaluation center.

On April 30, the European Astronaut Center (EAC) in Cologne hosted the first SpaceTech.NRW space conference. Initiated by the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia in cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the European Space Agency (ESA), the conference aims to strengthen North Rhine-Westphalia as a space location, intensify existing activities, and connect stakeholders from science, industry, and politics.

The mission concept for the DIEGOSat Earth observation satellite was also presented to the public for the first time at the conference. The satellite is designed to deliver high-precision data in the thermal infrared range, which is of great importance in numerous scientific disciplines. These include the investigation of urban heat islands, the early detection of drought stress in agriculture and forestry, and the analysis of flue gas emissions and fires.

DIEGOSat will make an important contribution to the further development of modern Earth observation – a project that will be of great benefit to both research and socially relevant applications.