The DIEGOSat consortium combines scientific excellence with cutting-edge industrial expertise.
Supported by Ruhr University Bochum, the University of Bonn, and a number of renowned companies, it brings together research, development, and practical experience to form a strong network. Its goal is to develop innovative solutions that connect science and industry and enable sustainable progress in space technology.

Ruhr University Bochum

Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), represented by Dr. Johannes Schultz (Principal Investigator) from the Department of Geography in the Interdisciplinary Geoinformation Sciences working group headed by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Andreas Rienow, coordinates the overall management of DIEGOSat. In consultation with future users, RUB defines the scientific requirements and the observation concept, organizes workshops, handles public relations and publications, and coordinates exchanges with international partners, including the Young Experts Program for the United Arab Emirates.

University of Bonn

The University of Bonn is participating in the project with the subproject “Radiative Transfer Modeling” led by Prof. Dr. Zbynek Malenovský (Remote Sensing Research Group, Department of Geography). Here, radiation transfer models are being developed and applied to evaluate the performance of the planned sensors and optimize the design of the sensor technology. The University of Bonn is thus providing a central scientific basis for validating the DIEGOSat mission concept.

 

 

Astro- und Feinwerktechnik Adlershof GmbH

AFW is an experienced small system integrator for space travel with its own production facilities, clean rooms, and environmental simulation laboratory. Among other things, the company develops attitude control technology, optical instruments, and complete satellite buses. AFW is contributing its expertise, patents, and infrastructure to the DIEGOSat project in order to develop the sensor in accordance with the high technical requirements and to support its implementation in partnership with the participating universities.

Zebris Geo-IT GmbH

ZEBRIS is an owner-managed company with over 20 years of experience in geoinformation technology and Earth observation, specializing in the sustainable management of natural resources in areas such as forestry, environmental protection, water and waterway protection, and forest and vegetation fire management. ZEBRIS contributes its internationally recognized expertise in vegetation fire monitoring to DIEGOSat. Based on its own platform, firemaps.net, ZEBRIS develops methods for the rapid and precise analysis of fire areas, fire intensity, and fire spread. These technologies enable the automated provision of high-quality satellite data products on the DIEGOSat web portal—a crucial contribution to the efficient monitoring of fires worldwide and a better understanding of their effects.

CRN Management GmbH

CRN specializes in project management and technical documentation in the aerospace sector. For many years, CRN has been working closely with Astro- und Feinwerktechnik Adlershof GmbH (AFW) to produce mission-related documents such as the Mission Requirements Document (MRD), the Mission Description Document (MDD), and the System Technical Specification (STS). For DIEGOSat, CRN is supporting the entire coordination and evaluation process in close cooperation with the specialist departments of the DLR Space Agency. CRN was also involved in the development of the mission concept from the outset, thus making a significant contribution to ensuring that technical requirements, system design, and mission objectives are optimally aligned.

von Hoerner & Sulger GmbH

vH&S is an owner-managed high-tech company based in Schwetzingen, Germany, which has been developing and manufacturing electronic systems for scientific space travel and Earth observation since 1971. The team of engineers and physicists is certified according to ESA standards and has state-of-the-art laboratories, clean rooms, and measurement technology at its disposal. For DIEGOSat, vH&S is contributing its many years of experience from the successful EnMAP mission, during which precise infrared camera electronics (SWIR-DCE) were developed. Building on this proven technology, vH&S designs and manufactures the electronics for DIEGOSat’s infrared camera – including sensor control, cooling electronics, and fast data interfaces. This enables DIEGOSat to capture large amounts of data in a very short time without the need for costly new developments.