ESA department for astronautic and robotic exploration to move to Cologne
The ESA is expanding its site in Cologne: The Directorate for Astronautic and Robotic Exploration will be based there in the future.
The European Astronaut Centre (EAC): European expertise in astronautic and robotic exploration strengthened
Robotic and crewed European space missions will be managed from Cologne in the future: The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (HRE) of the European Space Agency (ESA) will move to the Rhine in a few years. This was announced by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
"With the complete relocation of the corresponding ESA directorate to Cologne, astronautic space travel and exploration will gain a new common home in Germany," said DLR Executive Board member Walther Pelzer. "This will further strengthen European expertise in astronautic and robotic exploration and improve the conditions for future ESA missions, training programs, and international cooperation -- an important signal shortly before the ESA Council of Ministers meeting, which will take place in Bremen next week."
Astronautic and robotic research under one roof
A new building will be constructed for the ESA Directorate on the grounds of the DLR in the Porz/Wahn district of Cologne. The European Astronaut Centre (EAC) and the Luna moon simulation hall, operated by DLR and ESA, which heise online visited in the spring, are already located there. In addition, DLR operates research facilities in space medicine and physiology in Porz/Wahn. According to DLR, the new building will create a center that combines astronautic and robotic research under one roof.
The financing of the new building will be covered by the ESA and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The planning and construction phase will begin in early 2026. The building is expected to be completed in three to three and a half years. The HRE Directorate will then move completely from Noordwijk in the Netherlands to Cologne.
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According to the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, this will create 250 new jobs in Cologne. This will almost triple the ESA's employee numbers in Cologne, said Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration. "The European Astronaut Centre will become our new main site for ESA's exploration activities."
(wpl)
