Rover to Marsmond & Rakets as with SpaceX: Germany is now planning this with Japan - Image: Xpert.digital
New dimension of space travel: Germany relies on strategic Japan partnership
Germany's bold plan in space: How Japan should help us to rise to space power
The German-Japanese space partnership experiences a significant strengthening after space-minister Dorothee Bär and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have confirmed their ambitions for expanded cooperation at Expo 2025 in Osaka. This strategic alliance marks an important milestone in Germany's efforts to expand its international leadership role in space travel.
Suitable for:
Political dimension of the partnership
High -ranking diplomatic frame
The visit by Federal President Steinmeier in Japan from June 17 to 2025 underlines the political importance of bilateral relationships. The three -day journey, which found its peak in the opening of the German Nations Day at the Expo 2025 Osaka, was deliberately used as a platform for the deepening of space cooperation.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba received Steinmeier for a detailed working dinner and paid tribute to the close relationships between the two countries in the areas of business, science and government. This high -ranking political support creates the necessary foundation for the planned extension of the space partnership.
Strategic goals and ambitions
Space Minister Dorothee Bär clearly formulated the German position: "We want to become more powerful, expand our leadership role, in Europe and internationally, with our great partners like Japan". This statement reflects Germany's ambition, not only at European level, but also in the global context to take on a formative role in space travel.
Concrete cooperation projects and successes
Proven cooperation between DLR and Jaxa
The partnership between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Japanese space agency Jaxa forms the operational backbone of bilateral space cooperation. The DLR currently maintains around 300 cooperation contacts with around 50 active projects, which illustrates the wide range of cooperation.
The cooperation areas include in particular:
- Space robotic
- Etch observation and planetary research
- Atmospheric research
- Draft aircraft
- Room transport and reusable systems
Successful missions as a foundation
Hayabusa2 and mascot
An outstanding example of successful German-Japanese cooperation is the Hayabusa2 asteroid mission. The Lander Mascot (Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout) developed by the DLR and the French space agency CNES was successfully discontinued on the asteroid Ryugu and provided important scientific knowledge.
Mascot, a compact lander with the dimensions 29.5 x 27.5 cm and a mass of 9.8 kg, was equipped with four scientific instruments to examine geology, mineralogy and thermal properties of the asteroid. The mission impressively demonstrated the technological competence and successful project management of both partners.
Earthcare air
The ESA mission Earthcare, which started in May 2024, represents another significant cooperation project between Germany and Japan. The climate satellite, which was developed by the ESA in cooperation with the Japanese space agency Jaxa, is intended to provide revolutionary data on weather and climate research.
With its highly developed instruments, Earthcare measures the density and the water content of clouds and examines the influence of clouds, sunlight and aerosols on the earth's atmosphere. For the first time, the mission enables a 3D model of the atmosphere in the entire height profile.
Suitable for:
Future projects and innovations
MMX - research into Marsmonde
The planned mission MMX (Martian Moons Exploration) is the next large project of the German-Japanese space partnership. Germany plays a central role through Rover Idefix, which is developed together with France, which will explore the surface of the Marsmondes Phobos.
The MMX mission, the start of which is planned for 2026, will examine both Mars moons Phobos and Deimos in detail and collect material samples from phobos for the first time. Eight DLR institutes from five locations contribute to this ambitious project, whereby the Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics took over the overall project management.
Destiny+ asteroid mission
The German-Japanese mission Destiny+, which started in 2024, researched interplanetare dust particles and the asteroid 3200 Phaeton. The key instrument of the mission is the German dust telescope DDA (Destiny Dust Analyzer), which collects and analyzes cosmic dust samples throughout the flight.
Callisto - reusable rocket technology
The Callisto project represents a technological milestone in the development of reusable rocket systems. The trilateral initiative between DLR, CNES and JAXA aims to develop key technologies for the rescue and reuse of rocket level systems.
The Callisto demonstrator will be 13.5 meters high, have a diameter of 1.1 meters and have a start mass of about 4 tons. The first test flights are planned for 2026 from the Guyana Spaceplace Court, with up to ten flights over a period of six months.
International perspective and meaning
Astronaut Matthias Maurer as an ambassador
The German ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer, who took part in a long-term mission on the international space station ISS, underlines the importance of international cooperation. "If we combine our experiences and our knowledge, we can achieve a lot, much more," emphasized Maurer.
As a material scientist with comprehensive expertise in material technology and material technology, Maurer has both scientific and practical experience from space. His role as an ambassador for international cooperation increases the credibility of the German-Japanese space partnership.
Global challenges and common solutions
Space Minister Bär emphasized that space travel goes far beyond the pure space exploration: "She drives innovation, she is driving progress". This perspective reflects the understanding that space technologies can make decisive contributions to solving global social challenges.
The German-Japanese cooperation aims to find answers to questions of climate change together, sustainable development and technological innovation. Both countries share the vision of a regular international order and an open world trade.
Economic and industrial dimension
Promotion of industrial cooperation
The extended framework agreement between DLR and Jaxa from 2022 explicitly aims to promote the cooperation between the German and Japanese aerospace industry. This industrial component is crucial for the competitiveness of both countries in the global space market.
The strategic partnership is intended to promote synergies and strengthen aviation research from both countries for mutual benefits. It is also about the development of emission -free aviation technologies, which extends cooperation to aviation research.
Expo 2025 as an innovation platform
The World Exhibition Expo 2025 in Osaka serves as an important platform for the presentation of the German-Japanese space cooperation. Under the motto “Designing Future Society for our Lives”, over 160 countries and international organizations meet to discuss future technologies and sustainable development concepts.
Suitable for:
New German-Japanese spatial drive alliance strengthens position of both countries in the global space competition
The planned official extension of the German-Japanese space partnership creates the basis for further ambitious projects. With more than 875 university cooperation and research projects between the two countries, there is a wide scientific network that serves as the basis for future innovations.
The cooperation between Germany and Japan in space travel is an example of a new form of international partnership that combines technological excellence with common values and strategic goals. In a time of geopolitical uncertainties, this Alliance offers both countries the opportunity to strengthen their position in global space and at the same time make a contribution to the peaceful use of space.
Suitable for:
Hub for security and defense - advice and information
Hub for security and defense - Image: Xpert.digital
The hub for security and defense offers well-founded advice and current information in order to effectively support companies and organizations in strengthening their role in European security and defense policy. In close connection to the SME Connect working group, he promotes small and medium -sized companies (SMEs) in particular that want to further expand their innovative strength and competitiveness in the field of defense. As a central point of contact, the hub creates a decisive bridge between SME and European defense strategy.
Suitable for:
Your global marketing and business development partner
☑️ Our business language is English or German
☑️ NEW: Correspondence in your national language!
Konrad Wolfenstein
I would be happy to serve you and my team as a personal advisor.
You can contact me by filling out the contact form or simply call me on +49 89 89 674 804 (Munich) . My email address is: wolfenstein ∂ xpert.digital
I'm looking forward to our joint project.
