And a first, in collaboration with ESA: a few minutes after lift-off, our Falcon 20E research aircraft followed the rocket's exhaust plume to test how rocket emissions can be measured in the atmosphere.

On board: alloys solidifying in tiny furnaces, a miniature microscope for studying cells, generators that turn heat into electricity – plus four experiments built by teams of early-career researchers.

The DLR sounding rocket MAPHEUS-17 launching from the Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden. Credit: SSC Space

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The rover itself is also the product of collaboration. Idefix was created by various DLR institutes, as well as CNES and external contributors. Designing it during the COVID pandemic presented challenges to working together, but also let them take advantage of new remote working skills.

Idefix is a demonstration of the power of teamwork – within DLR and with our friends around the world 🤝 Its job within the MMX mission is to scout the surface of Phobos before the spacecraft lands to collect samples and bring them back to Earth. 🌍🧪

Next stop, Bremerhaven – via the Kiel Canal. Once fitted out with sensors, automation and alternative propulsion systems, MODULARIS will test new maritime technologies at sea, with its home port in Kiel.

From keel-laying to launch in around four months: shipyard staff and DLR worked side by side to get MODULARIS ready.

After months of construction, our MODULARIS seagoing technology platform touched water for the first time last week in Flensburg. The hull is complete – next it heads to Bremerhaven for fitting-out. 🧵

Learning more about the origins and effects of moonquakes will expand our understanding of the Moon and support future lunar missions, so scientists are looking at options to study them in space and down here on Earth – including at our LUNA Hall in Cologne.

But there’s also something mysterious happening deep inside the Moon that we don’t yet understand, as Maria Richter from DLR’s LUNA Hall explains ⬆️.

Shake, rattle and roll – on the Moon🌘 Earthquakes aren’t unique to Earth. 'Moonquakes', however, happen for different reasons than here at home. Without plate tectonics, the Moon shakes because of: 🌍Earth’s gravity 🗜the Moon is shrinking! ☄️meteoroid impacts 🌡️temperature changes between day and night

All of this without adding extra axle load – designed for cost-effective operation and with sustainability at its heart. Learn more ⬇️

🛏️ 🚆Is this Europe’s future night train? Europe is experiencing a night train renaissance. In the ALISA project, we are reimagining their design: lightweight, modular, capacity increased by 40%, improved comfort and privacy, step-free access and convertible from seat to bed, day to night.

Mars has two moons, Deimos and Phobos: small, lumpy, cratered rocks that look more like asteroids. Scientists still aren't sure how either got there: captured asteroid, or debris from a giant impact on Mars? DLR's Stephan Ulamec breaks down the mystery, and why it matters for MMX and Idefix®.

Early results already show a strong match with real-bird data – a big step towards testing that's more reproducible and uses fewer animals overall.