The Institute of Space Propulsion is one of 30 institutes, test and operating facilities run by DLR, the German Aerospace Center. DLR is Germany's national aerospace center and carries out comprehensive Research & Development projects in national cooperations. As Germany's space agency DLR also manages the country's space activities on behalf of the German government. The German Aerospace Center employs more than 4,500 people in eight locations.

The Institute of Space Propulsion at the DLR location of Lampoldshausen focuses on three main areas: the development of advanced technologies for future transport systems, the operation of large test beds for the European industry, and the continuous development of testing and control systems as well as process engineering required for these test beds. The institute presently employs a total of 230 scientists and other staff.

• German Aerospace Center