The national aeronautics and space research centre of the Federal Republic of Germany, which acts as the country’s space agency. Created in 1997 and headquartered in Cologne, DLR plans the country’s space activites and carries out the German space-flight programs. Its primary mission is to strengthen the German aerospace industry and its role as an international partner/competitor. To date, DLR has made significant contributions to international space programs, including the following instruments: the high-resolution camera aboard ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft (which recorded surface features on Mars to within 10 to 30 metres in three dimensions); the active descent system and downward-looking cameras for ESA’s Philae lander; and the main imaging cameras for the Dawn spacecraft. DLR also operates the ESA’s Columbus Control Centre and contributes funding to satellite missions, such as TerraSar-X.