– ESA's PLATO space telescope is scheduled to launch at the end of 2026 and begin its search for Earth-like planets orbiting Sun-like stars in 2027.
– The telescope's optical bench, with its 26 cameras, has now been integrated into the spacecraft's service module – only the solar panels remain to…

On Monday, June 23, 2025, the microsatellite QUICK³ from the Vandenberg Space Center (California, USA; GMT-7) was successfully launched into Earth's orbit. The mission aims to test new technologies for secure quantum communication and conduct a quantum physics experiment under space conditions. The…

Fraunhofer ENAS celebrates the opening of the “European Test and Reliability Center” (ETRC). With support from the European Union (EU), the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the Free State of Saxony, the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS is establ…

All eyes on LISA – the first space-based observatory dedicated to explore the universe by studying gravitational waves. Eagerly awaited by scientists around the world and expected to reveal some of the last mysteries of our universe. The excitement was palpable on 17th June, 2025, when the Europea…

Galvanoscanners have so far provided reliable services in optical communication in space or in Earth observation via LIDAR. However, in the future, these systems could be replaced by smaller and more compact systems with MEMS scanners. In the MiniLIDAR project funded by the Federal Ministry for Econ…

The implementation of additive manufacturing in the space industry and other critical sectors demands strict compliance with industry-specific quality and safety standards. In response, OHB System AG and Fraunhofer IAPT developed design and manufacturing guidelines, establishing a robust additive ma…

Aufgrund des hohen Energieverbrauchs und des Einsatzes zahlreicher Single-Use-Materialien rückt das Thema Nachhaltigkeit in der Reinraumtechnik zunehmend in den Fokus. Diese Entwicklung wird auch durch politische Vorgaben bestärkt. Unter Berücksichtigung der Balance zwischen einer Reduktion des C…

At the Hannover Messe on March 31, 2025, the launch of the new "Chiplet Application Hub" of the FMD took place. As a node for the development and application of chiplet technologies, it bridges research and industrial use. Together with industry, it advances the development of "made in Germany" chip…

RNA-based medicines and treatment methods open up a new dimension in modern medicine. Despite their potential, RNA-based therapies are faced with major challenges: The instability of RNA and its rapid degradation in the body, combined with the necessity of ultra-cold storage or encapsulation, mean t…

From 2035, the Einstein Telescope will be able to study gravitational waves with unprecedented accuracy. For the telescope, researchers from Jena have manufactured highly sensitive sensors made entirely of glass for the first time.

Gravitational waves are distortions of space-time caused by extreme a…