This recurring scientific and technical aerospace congress is organised by the German Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics, DGLR, as its interdisciplinary forum connecting research, industry and public institutions. Its lectures, posters and panels cover aircraft, propulsion, space systems, mission applications, avionics, materials and aerospace medicine for researchers, engineers, company teams, doctoral candidates and students.
About the German Aerospace Congress
DLRK is DGLR’s interdisciplinary scientific and technical congress for aeronautics and astronautics. The 2026 edition is held at Eurogress Aachen and brings together more than one hundred specialist sessions, plenary presentations, posters and discussion formats across the full aerospace field. Contributions may report scientific findings or present technical, strategic and societal topics connected with current research and development.
The breadth is deliberate. Aviation tracks cover air transport, aircraft, unmanned systems, cabins, propulsion and flight guidance, while space tracks address technology, science, applications and society. Materials, manufacturing, thermofluids, avionics, mission technologies, systems engineering, medicine, defence and security provide cross-cutting routes through the programme. Aachen adds a strong local research context through RWTH Aachen University, FH Aachen, Fraunhofer institutes and the nearby DLR research presence. This makes DLRK a forum for both disciplinary depth and exchange between science, industry and institutions. Plenary talks, discussion rounds and networking formats help participants connect specialist findings to wider German and European aerospace priorities.
Event history and organiser
The Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress is the recurring national congress of the German Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics, whose German acronym is DGLR. The society positions the meeting as Germany’s largest scientific and technical aerospace congress and uses it to connect research, industry, institutions and emerging professionals. Its contribution model supports scientific lectures and posters as well as informative presentations on technical, strategic or societal work. Scientific papers may proceed through DGLR online publication or, where selected and successfully reviewed, through the CEAS Aeronautical Journal or CEAS Space Journal. The 2026 Aachen edition continues that research-and-transfer role while adding local emphasis from a region active in sustainable aviation, lightweight engineering, digital production and space systems. Eurogress Aachen is the verified venue, DGLR is the organiser, and local universities or research institutes should be described as part of the host-region ecosystem unless the programme assigns a more formal role.
Topics and themes
DLRK’s published focus areas cover the aerospace lifecycle from fundamental physics and materials through vehicles, missions, operations and societal questions.
- Aircraft and air transport: sessions connect vehicle concepts, operations, cabins, flight mechanics and future mobility across civil and unmanned aviation.
- Propulsion and thermofluids: engine technology, fluid mechanics and thermal behaviour support work on performance, efficiency and new energy pathways.
- Space technology and applications: spacecraft systems, mission engineering, space science and downstream uses form a distinct astronautics strand within the congress.
- Avionics and mission technologies: electronics, guidance, software and mission equipment link platform development with reliable operation in air and space.
- Materials, structures and manufacturing: lightweight construction, production processes and advanced materials connect laboratory research with industrial aerospace delivery.
- Systems, medicine, society and security: interdisciplinary sessions address integration, human performance, policy, defence and the wider consequences of aerospace activity.
Who should attend?
DLRK is designed for aerospace researchers, aircraft and spacecraft engineers, university groups, DLR and other institutional teams, and companies applying new technology. Specialists can follow focused sessions in their own discipline while using plenaries and networking to see adjacent work. Doctoral candidates, students and early-career scientists are a prominent audience: the congress encourages emerging researchers to submit and present contributions, and it publishes discounted registration categories. Programme managers, policy and strategy teams, medical researchers and defence specialists may also find defined tracks. International researchers can participate, with contribution and presentation guidance allowing German or English. Visitors seeking a trade-only exhibition should note that the main identity is a scientific and technical congress, even though exhibitors and sponsors are present.
View German Aerospace Congress informationPractical information
DLRK 2026 is at Eurogress Aachen from 8 to 10 September. The programme supports German and English contributions, but individual session language should be checked in the schedule.
Presenters should follow author-specific instructions; attending co-authors register separately. Other delegates should confirm registration, final programme times, session language, venue access, accommodation and travel through the official DLRK pages.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is DLRK 2026?
The German Aerospace Congress runs from 8 to 10 September 2026 at Eurogress Aachen, a congress venue in Aachen, Germany.
What kind of event is DLRK?
DLRK is DGLR’s interdisciplinary scientific and technical congress for aeronautics and astronautics, using specialist lectures, research posters, plenaries, discussion panels and networking formats.
Which topics does DLRK cover?
The programme spans aircraft, air transport, unmanned aviation, propulsion, space systems, mission applications, materials, manufacturing, avionics, thermofluids, systems engineering, aerospace medicine, society, defence and security.
Who should attend?
DLRK is for researchers, engineers, university and institutional teams, aerospace companies, doctoral candidates, students, programme managers and technical specialists working across aviation or spaceflight.
How do accepted authors register?
The organiser states that presenting contributors are registered automatically after programme acceptance. Co-authors who will attend but are not the presenter must complete their own personal registration.
Can contributions be in English?
Yes. The author guidance allows abstracts and presentations in German or English. Participants should still check the published working language, presentation length, discussion timing, final paper upload requirements and detailed instructions for their specific specialist programme session.