Fraunhofer Highlights Electric Flight, Hydrogen Aviation and Satellite Innovation as Aerospace Industry Moves Toward Industrial Transformation

© Fraunhofer IISB
Power electronics developed by Fraunhofer IISB

(IN BRIEF) Fraunhofer will use ILA Berlin 2026 to present a broad portfolio of aerospace technologies that connect applied research with industrial use. Under the coordination of Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE, institutes from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will showcase innovations in both aviation and space, including electric and hybrid propulsion systems, fuel cell technologies, automated hydrogen tank production, recyclable aircraft components, satellite communications, greenhouse gas monitoring and small-satellite spectrometer systems for smart farming. In aviation, the focus will be on climate-friendly propulsion, lightweight sustainable materials, digital manufacturing and scalable production processes. In space, Fraunhofer will highlight technologies that support Earth observation, climate monitoring, secure communications, resilient infrastructure and the industrialization of spaceflight. The exhibits will be presented at ILA Berlin 2026 from June 10 to 14, with Fraunhofer booths located in Hall C for aviation and Hall B for space.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 2-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Fraunhofer will present a wide range of applied aerospace technologies at ILA Berlin 2026, highlighting how research in electrified flight, hydrogen systems, sustainable materials, satellite communications and Earth observation is moving closer to industrial deployment. Coordinated by Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE, institutes from across the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will showcase solutions for aviation and space at the international aerospace trade show, taking place in Berlin from June 10 to 14, 2026.

© Fraunhofer IOF
Optics for monitoring greenhouse gases: The disperser is an optical module consisting of two prisms and a grating bonded to one of the prisms.

The aerospace sector is entering a period in which environmental performance, security, cost-efficient production and scalable manufacturing are becoming central requirements for future growth. Fraunhofer’s presence at ILA 2026 is designed to show how applied research can help turn these demands into practical technologies for aircraft, propulsion systems, satellite infrastructure and space-based services.

Fraunhofer researchers will present their work across two exhibition areas. In the Aviation area, at Hall C, Booth 280, the focus will be on climate-friendly and economically viable flight technologies. In the Space area, at Hall B, Booth 240, Fraunhofer will demonstrate systems and components that support space missions while also delivering benefits for applications on Earth, including climate monitoring, crisis prevention and secure communications.

In aviation, Fraunhofer will place strong emphasis on electric and hybrid flight. The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB will present advanced power electronics and electric drive components for aircraft powertrains. These include high-density DC-DC converters, high-voltage distribution systems and a megawatt-class electric motor designed to address the demanding requirements of efficiency, weight reduction and safety in electric aviation.

Fuel cell-based propulsion will also be part of the exhibition. Fraunhofer demonstrators will show how electric power supply, propulsion architecture and system integration can be combined to support low-emission flight. Together, these technologies reflect the growing importance of electrification in the future aviation landscape.

Hydrogen-powered aviation will be another key theme. The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM will showcase HYTANK, described as the world’s first flexible, automated machining and assembly plant for CFRP hydrogen tanks. The system covers processes beyond surface pre-treatment and barrier layers, marking an important step toward serial production of lightweight liquid hydrogen tanks for aircraft operations.

Fraunhofer will also demonstrate how new materials can support both sustainability and industrial manufacturing. The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS will present EcoRudder, an aircraft rudder developed under the European Clean Aviation project FasterH2. The component uses recyclable thermoplastic sandwich structures and a manufacturing process that enables very short production cycle times, showing how aircraft parts that were once costly one-off items can be adapted for scalable production.

Additional aviation exhibits will cover automated manufacturing for thermoplastic composite components, digital assembly processes and data-driven approaches to circular economy and traceability in aircraft construction. These technologies are intended to support a future aircraft industry that is not only cleaner, but also more efficient, transparent and capable of high-rate production.

Fraunhofer’s space exhibition will be presented under the theme “Space for Earth.” The booth will highlight how satellite technologies, sensors, communications systems and specialized materials can support both space exploration and practical services on the ground. The exhibits will include technologies for Earth observation, climate analysis, resilient infrastructure, secure communications, defense applications and materials designed for extreme environments.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS will demonstrate technologies for a 5G/6G non-terrestrial network base station. This system is intended to help test and validate future satellite communications under real orbital conditions, supporting more reliable connectivity, accurate timing references and stable communications infrastructure.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF will present optical modules developed for the European Space Agency’s CO2M mission, which is designed to measure global carbon dioxide emissions. The institute’s dispersers, described as the first of their kind worldwide, will enable high-resolution quantitative greenhouse gas measurements from space, supporting climate monitoring and climate action.

Fraunhofer IOF will also show Rainbow, a compact space spectrometer developed for resource-efficient smart farming. Optimized for small satellites, the system is designed to help assess soil moisture and nutrient availability, demonstrating how space-based technologies can support agriculture and environmental management on Earth.

Other space-related exhibits will focus on the industrialization of spaceflight. Fraunhofer experts will demonstrate how high-precision and additive manufacturing processes can support the shift from unique, one-off space components to reproducible parts suitable for small and medium-sized production runs. A mission wall and virtual satellite will further illustrate the broad range of expertise within Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE, covering materials, processes, sensors, Earth observation, secure communications, space system protection and planetary missions.

Fraunhofer’s participation at ILA 2026 will also include discussions and presentations at the Speakers Corner in Hall B, Booth 240, where researchers will address current technology trends, research topics and future applications. Fraunhofer experts will additionally contribute to industry discussions, including sessions on the ILA Stage AVIATION hosted by the German Aerospace Industries Association.

Through its ILA 2026 presence, Fraunhofer aims to demonstrate that innovation in aerospace depends not only on scientific breakthroughs, but also on reliable implementation. Electrification, hydrogen technologies, satellite communications and Earth observation systems can only achieve their full impact when they are scalable, safe, economically viable and ready for industrial production.

Media Contact:

Monika Landgraf
Director of Corporate Communications and Spokesperson for the President
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
Hansastraße 27 c
80686 Munich, Germany
Phone: +49 89 1205-1333
presse@zv.fraunhofer.de

SOURCE: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft