Scientific Bodies:

Aeroballistic Range Association (ARA)

Since 1973 the Institute of Astronautics has been a full member of the international association "Aeroballistic Range Association (ARA)". The ARA was founded already in 1961; it is a technical association with members from research and development institutes that deal with high-velocity acceleration in the broader sense. The ARA serves as platform for institutes, which use different accelerators in their experimental installations. Since its foundation the number of members has grown very quickly, at the moment it has 51 members from 16 countries (e.g. USA, Japan, Germany, France, Israel, South Africa). Yearly meetings take place to facilitate the exchange of information and experiences between the members. The scientific and technical lectures comprise the following fields:
> operation and instrumentation of ballistic test installations
> development and construction of research accelerators
> internal and external ballistics
> short-range and shock physics
> high-velocity diagnostics
> computer simulation

In 1992 and 1993 the Institute of Astronautics chaired the association under Prof. Igenbergs; in 1993 the yearly member congress took place at the Technische Universität München.

For further information on the ARA please refer to .

European Electromagnetic Launch Society (EEMLS)

The Institute of Astronautics has been a full member of the European Electromagnetic Launch Society (EEMLS) since 1990. This association was founded in 1988 at the „Prins Maurits Laboratorium“ in Delft/NL to set up a forum for research facilities dealing with electric acceleration. The members are from state-run organisations (universities, research facilities) as well as from the industry. The members meet every year to exchange ideas and information.

Gesellschaft für Systems Engineering e.V. (GfSE)

GfSE promotes science and education in the field of systems engineering in industry, research, and teaching. It is a non-profit organisation.

GfSE participates in the INCOSE activities on a European and international level. Apart from that it offers German-language services in the field of systems engineering.

For further information got the the GfSE homepage.

International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is an international professional society for systems engineers whose mission is to foster the definition, understanding, and practice of world class systems engineering in industry, academia, and government. INCOSE was formed in 1992 to develop, nurture, and enhance the interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems. Since then,
INCOSE has grown dramatically. Today there are over 5,000 member systems engineers, 50 chartered chapters worldwide, and more than 40 Corporate Advisory Board members from government, industry, and academia.