Sustainability in space and air: Inside the latest DLRmagazine

Ellen RaneboEllen Ranebo
  18 March 2026
EJR-Quartz’s Rosa Jesse, Senior Editor & Team Lead for the German Aerospace Center, while editing the DLRmagazine. Image credit: Sonny Malhotra

The latest edition of DLRmagazine is now in circulation and available in English – with a little help from us! EJR-Quartz is responsible for the English edition of this originally German publication.

Issue 179 unveils a feature article on the future of reusable space transport – where space sustainability meets rocket innovation (page 10). It delves into the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) latest ATHEAt experiment, which pushes the limits of high-speed flight and endurance. The experiment saw a sounding rocket fly for longer than before at speeds between Mach 8 and 10, under some of the hottest and high pressure atmospheric conditions. 

The DLRmagazine printed out and stuck up for a physical proofread by Rosa. Image credit: Sonny Malhotra

On page 24, an infographic brings a future aviation study to life, looking ahead to the year 2070. Despite rising air traffic, it highlights a positive path ahead for climate-compatible flying: in a progressive scenario, CO₂ emissions per 100 passenger kilometres could drop by as much as 89% compared to 2025. It’s a hopeful vision, but one that hinges on new propulsion systems and energy carriers, such as hydrogen fuels and battery-electric propulsion.

Turn to pages 32 and 33 for a double-page image spread dedicated to the Biomass mission. DLR played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in this ESA mission, fine-tuning and validating its cutting-edge Synthetic Aperture Radar. Using an experimental aircraft flying beneath the satellite’s path, DLR helped to cross-check the spacecraft’s space data with readings from its own specially designed F-SAR antenna. The result? Higher accuracy in tracking how much climate-relevant carbon dioxide forests absorb, store and release through deforestation.

Does this pique your interest? You can download issue 179 in digital format or subscribe to receive a printed copy of the magazine free of charge. Enjoy the read! 

(Banner image credit: DLR).

EJR-Quartz
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