SPACEHUB COLOGNE – An outstanding space ecosystem is to be created on a campus shared by DLR and Cologne/Bonn Airport.
Joint project for secure satellite communications marks a milestone for innovation, economic power, and aerospace.
North Rhine-Westphalia is sending a strong signal for European aerospace: At today's SpaceTech. NRW, hosted by the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia in cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the European Space Agency (ESA), the strategic importance of Cologne/Bonn Airport as the future location of the GOVSATCOM hub within the European satellite communications program IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellites) was highlighted. The project is a joint initiative of the EU Commission, the German federal government, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, DLR, and the airport. The aim is to create a highly secure European communications infrastructure that will sustainably strengthen Europe's autonomy in security-critical applications.
“The establishment of the GOVSATCOM Hub on the grounds of Cologne/Bonn Airport underscores the growing importance of our location as a forward-looking center of excellence for aerospace. Developing the potential of the land on the south side of the airport as Campus South with our partners is part of our corporate strategy,” emphasizes Thilo Schmid, Chairman of the Management Board of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH. “We want to push ahead with the idea and implementation of SPACEHUB COLOGNE together with DLR and other players and give the regional economy an important boost. The creation of new jobs and the establishment of infrastructure, supplier companies, and research facilities will generate sustainable added value for the airport location and the entire economic area of the region,” said Schmid.
“The DLR site in Cologne is one of the most efficient space centers in Germany. In addition to the DLR's research and technology facilities, it is our partners, the German Air Force, Cologne/Bonn Airport, and ESA, that make this center so valuable,” emphasizes Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the Executive Board of DLR. “In the coming years, we will face the task of modernizing existing facilities and building additional research infrastructure that is secure and resilient in order to continue working toward European independence. Today marks the start of one of the world's most promising space ecosystems – SPACEHUB COLOGNE.”
GOVSATCOM Hub: Key project for Europe's security
The EU Commission's decision to locate the GOVSATCOM Hub in Cologne is a central element for secure and resilient satellite communications in Europe. This is a significant milestone for space travel in North Rhine-Westphalia and confirmation of the strategic role played by Cologne/Bonn Airport. The facility will serve as a highly secure network node
through which satellite-based communication services for security-critical applications will be provided and controlled. Authorities, disaster control organizations, and other public institutions will have access to stable, resilient communication—even in crisis situations. In addition, the GOVSATCOM Hub, which is being jointly promoted by the DLR as the project sponsor and Cologne/Bonn Airport, is expected to unlock further innovation potential: Companies and start-ups are to settle around the GOVSATCOM Hub location at the airport, where they will find ideal conditions for research and future developments in the field of aerospace and satellite communications. This will strengthen North Rhine-Westphalia as a business and research location overall.
Cologne/Bonn Airport as an ideal location
The establishment of the GOVSATCOM Hub marks the beginning of a new chapter for Cologne/Bonn Airport: a location that combines innovation, security, and European cooperation. As a modern international commercial airport with excellent connections, comprehensive logistical expertise, and existing aerospace infrastructure, the airport offers ideal conditions. The airport is providing a site in the southern part of its grounds for this purpose. A cross-functional project group with the DLR is managing the construction integration, logistical connections, and infrastructure development. The aim is to create the conditions for the rapid and smooth implementation and commissioning of the hub.
Further information is available at: www.koeln-bonn-airport.de/unternehmen/govsatcom.html
