Germany is positioning itself as a central player in Europe’s return to the Moon. On February 4, Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder announced €58 million in funding for Lunar Control Center at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich. This facility will form part of the German Space Operations Center (GSOC), which has operated European space missions for decades. Combined with DLR’s €20 million institutional investment, the €78 million project represents Germany’s commitment to expanding European space operations capabilities.
The new control center will support both robotic and human lunar missions, including operations for the lunar Gateway—the first international space station around the Moon. The DLR-owned operations facility, with ESA as its primary operational client, is expected to be completed by 2030 and will accommodate approximately 200 staff members. It will build on GSOC’s established operational model—the same approach currently used for the ISS Columbus module, including coordinating scientific experiments, monitoring life support systems, and managing ground-to-space communications.
Beyond infrastructure, the announcement revealed accelerated ambitions for European lunar exploration. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher outlined plans to advance European technology deployment to the Moon ahead of the previously planned 2030-2031 timeline, emphasizing that Europe should explore the Moon as “the next continent.” OHB SE complemented this vision by establishing the European Moonport Company, which has developed initial concepts with Munich Airport for a central lunar surface launch and landing base.
As lunar activities intensify, Germany’s investment—combining Bavaria’s regional funding and DLR’s institutional commitment—reflects recognition that Moon operations require dedicated ground infrastructure and operational expertise. By expanding GSOC’s capabilities, Germany positions itself not just as a participant in lunar exploration, but as a key enabler of Europe’s long-term presence beyond Earth.
Image Credit: OHB – Model of the conceptualized lunar infrastructure
Sources:
Mondzentrum bekommt 58 Millionen
https://www.sueddeutsche.de/bayern/dlr-mond-mission-oberpfaffenhofen-soeder-bayern-li.3381418
Von München zum Mond
https://www.esa.int/Space_in_Member_States/Austria/Von_Muenchen_zum_Mond
Germany funds 78 million euro human exploration control center
OHB founds European Moonport Company: Creation of an innovation hub for future lunar missions
https://www.ohb.de/en/news/ohb-founds-european-moonport-company