EPFL Space Center visits TUM's aerospace department

Thanks to support from the TUM Global Incentive Fund, in collaboration with the Human Spaceflight Technology Professorship (TUM HSP) led by Prof. Detrell, three EPFL Space Center staff members and three EPFL students had the opportunity to meet their counterparts in Munich.

The program included exchanges on current research projects, discussions about future collaborations, and visits to various laboratories and testing facilities. Over an intensive 1.5-day schedule, the delegation also held meetings with the Chair of Space Propulsion and Mobility (TUM SPM), led by Prof. Chiara Manfletti (also a member of the EPFL Space Center Advisory Board) and the Chair of Space Systems (TUM SPS), led by Prof. Golkar.

TUM is a long-standing partner of EPFL. This visit highlighted the complementarities between both universities in the space domain. We’ve identified concrete actions to strengthen this partnership, and we look forward to welcoming the TUM delegation in Switzerland in 2026.

Highlights of the visit included a tour of the algae cultivation center and the Oberpfaffenhofen propulsion testing facilities. EPFL Rocket Team students Rayane Maalouf and Maximilian Bonvin had in-depth discussions with PhD researchers working on propulsion systems, gaining valuable insights for their own student-developed and -operated engine test facility in Lausanne (watch the video of their latest static fire test). Students from the Asclepios team, which conducts annual analog space missions in the Swiss Alps, are already collaborating with HSP. Team member Verdàn Deliz was joined by TUM students, also part of the initiative, to present their plans for future scientific payloads and astronaut training activities (see more info about their latest mission, Asclepios V).

The visit to TUM was immensely inspiring and really helped me envision a strong and enriching relationship between Asclepios and TUM students in the future! Talking to and learning from the PhD students and faculty opened my eyes to the possibilities after finishing my degree. I also really enjoyed exploring all the labs, hangars, and buildings that make up the TUM Department of Aerospace and Geodesy!

The visit to TUM was a great experience. It's amazing to see what other universities are doing and the possibilities for collaboration. It was super cool to explore the different space labs and see all the exciting projects, especially those being developed by the Chair of Space Mobility and Propulsion.

The delegation also met with employees of ISAR Aerospace to exchange on environmental sustainability criteria in launch vehicle design.

The Global Incentive Fund is a great way to explore collaboration opportunities with another top-level university. We identified overlapping research areas as well as complementary strengths. It's exciting to imagine what could come from this visit in the long term.