By: Modern Russia and Johann-Dietrich Wörner, The German Aerospace Center (DLR) on April 26, 2011
Johann-Dietrich Wörner, born in 1954 in Kassel, Germany, has been president of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) since 2007. An engineer by training, Wörner became professor at the Technical University of Darmstadt (TH Darmstadt) in 1990 and served as president between 1995 and 2007. In February 2011, he was appointed by the government of the German state of Baden-Württemberg as mediator for the “Stuttgart 21” railway project.
As Russia and the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s first flight into space, President Medvedev recently stated that space will remain a key priority in Russia’s efforts to modernize its economy. Professor Johann-Dietrich Wörner, chairman of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) spoke to Modern Russia on the future of the Russian space program and on German-Russian relations in the aerospace sector.
Russia and Germany have been working closely together in the aerospace sector for several decades. What common projects are you currently carrying out?
As you said, Russia and Germany have a long and successful tradition of working together in the aerospace sector, and they will of course continue beyond the 50th anniversary of man’s first flight into space. The German Technology Experiment Carrier TET-1 as well as the European Express Capsule, which was partially developed in Germany, will be launched into orbit by Russian carrier rockets. Furthermore, German experiments will take place on board Russian science satellites, while Russian cosmonauts conduct experiments designed by German scientists on the International Space Station (ISS). This cooperation is indispensable for Germany, as it underlines the peaceful character of space travel and also shows that the use of space technology can contribute to common success.
After a relative decline in investment following the collapse of the Soviet Union, President Medvedev recently said in his speech marking the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's spaceflight that space remains a key priority for Russia and that new initiatives will be launched to revive the sector. Are we on the eve of a new era for the Russian space program and what would some of these projects be?
Ever since the great achievements of Russian space travel in 1957 - even during the political upheavals of the 1990s - Russia has been a reliable partner in the international space industry. However, today we face new, bigger challenges. We are planning joint activities up to 2020 and beyond, in which Russia can, and must, play an important role regarding access to space, among other things. The operation of manned space travel infrastructure is another area where Russia is an important partner due to its many years of experience. Together we can bring about a paradigm shift from the space race of the Cold War to the closer global cooperation between all space-faring nations.
Space is one of the five strategic areas of economic modernization identified by President Medvedev. How can space contribute to the modernization of Russia’s economy as a whole?
From the outset, space travel has influenced life on earth. Not only has it had a cultural impact but it is also a driver of technological advancement. This is something that can be of great use to the Russian economy. At the German Aerospace Center (DLR) we take technologies developed in the space sector and give them a practical application on earth. FIREWATCH, an early warning system for forest fires, is a perfect example. Developed on the basis of research results stemming from a comet mission, FIREWATCH is currently used in Germany and other European countries, to detect forest fires at an early stage, thereby limiting the devastating effect they can have.
Russia is planning to organize a manned mission to the moon by 2025, and to establish an inhabited lunar base by 2032. How realistic is this plan for the Russian space program and what are some of the challenges facing it?
Russian scientists and engineers will continue to play a significant role in the development of international space exploration. It is important in that regard that political will and thus the necessary financial means are available. The return of man to the moon as a further step in space exploration will require international cooperation, which has already proved successful in the construction and the operation of the ISS.
By Igor Tue Mar 13 06:04:28 GMT 2012
Reply to this comment
For Russia to be able to play a trully significant role in the development of space and future space based programs it's very importnat that the goverment shows concer in the aerospace sector, and by concer I dont mean international cooperationa and finance. More than 80% of engineers and staff in the Russias space industry are approaching their pension age's Where is the next generation of talented engineers going to come from.Many Universites and research center need to be upgraded and faster this is done the better for the space industry. The next and hugely significant economy in the 21 century will be a space based one. Russia and America have drasticaly lossing pace in the race to establish them selves in this sector. A new decade has begun lets see what it will bring for the world. Hopefully and sooner than later a trully functional space based economy will start, the question is which goverment will make the necessary move required for this economy to bloom and blossom-America,Russia maybe China. Lets wait and see.
By mbt du sport feminin Sun May 08 11:53:00 GMT 2011
Reply to this comment
Russian scientists and engineers will continue to play a significant role in the development of international space exploration. It is important in that regard that political will and thus the necessary financial means are available. The return of man to the moon as a further step in space exploration will require international cooperation, which has already proved successful in the construction and the operation of the ISS.
Post new comment