Moving to and living in Cologne

After approximately two months of studies in Düsseldorf I directed my ship towards Cologne (on german: Köln) where I have started my internship at DLR (Deutsche Luft- und Raumfarth) which will last until December. DLR is the German centre for aerospace-, energy- and transport research, with the headquarters located in Cologne. The research in the aerospace industry is mainly aimed to improve the future of aircaft propulsion and to improve our knowledge of space. This is my main area of study, therefore the internship suits me well.

Cologne is the 4th largest city in Germany, with around 1 million inhabitants. It was founded by the romans almost 2000 years ago and is on of Germanys oldest cities. The city is well known for its huge cathedral and the famous perfume Eau-de-Cologne.

Kölsch is the main dialect in Cologne and was the former language before. It is also the name of the famous beer which is drafted in this area. The dispute between Düsseldorf and Cologne is well spread in both Cologne and Düsseldorf and can be clearly noted when buying beer. The famous Düsseldorf Alt-Bier can hardly be found in Cologne (even though Düsseldorf is only located 40 minutes away by car) and the opposite in Düsseldorf. However judging on my personal experience I believe that it is harder to find Alt-Bier in Cologne than finding Kölsch in Düsseldorf.

The town of Cologne is very beautiful. However one have to understand that 90-95% of the town was destroyed during WWII which means that most of the buildings are not older than 70 years. Miraculously the cathedral survived despite being hit 14 times.

Night shoot of the Cologne cathedral

The famous bridge in front of the cathedral. 

The cathedral with the old town

Cologne Hafencity, the modern part of town.

The restaured and famous statue of King Friedrich Wilhelm III in Cologne old town. 

One of the remaining old gates.

The cathedral night time.

The cathedral from within, it took 632 years to finish this amazing building.

The famous Kölsch-bier served in its unique 0.2 l glas.

Open House in DLR (Detusche Luft- und Raumfarth)

DLR (Deutsche Luft- und Raumfarth) is the German centre for aerospace-, energy- and transport research, with the headquarters located in Köln. The research in the aerospace industry is mainly aimed to improve the future of aircaft propulsion and to improve our knowledge of space. A lot of DLR:s time and resources are placed to improve the efficiency of air transport, goals which are set up by the European Union, e.g. reduce the cost of air transport by 30%. 

The transport- and energy research is mainly aimed on renenewable and green solutions such as solar and wind-energy in the energy research sector. 

Every second year DLR open up the doors for the public to display their research. This area is my main area of study which is why I also took time to visit DLR this day.

The DLR area in Köln, it is located near to the Köln/Bonn-airport.

Philae is the name of the lander which was the first human built device to land on a comet. One can say that this event has put DLR on the map. The landing was managed November 2014 and was conducted by ESA (European Space Agency, which is partly funded by DLR) together with DLR.

This is a scale model of the comet on which Philae landed on, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

I mention Philae because the main control centrum of Philae is located in Köln.

Inside the Philae control centrum.

The jet engine test facility

Inside the jet engine test facility

Test station of the jet engines

DLR has on of the fastest wind tunnels in the world. It's called H2K and can be runned up to Mach 11.2.

The wind tunnel test section. Tests can be conducted for around 30 seconds. In order to prevent unwanted physical phenomenons at these speeds (up to Mach 11.2) the air is heated before tests to around 800 degrees.

The bulding of European Astronaut Centre. The astronauts are prepared for their missions on many different locations. The basic training program is conducted in Köln and lasts 16 months.

Yepp that is Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, you're seeing in front of the main entrance of ESA.

All flags of the ESA-member states (Sweden included).

It can't be seen on the picture but this is the main pool where the future astronauts are trained.

Full scale modules used for astronaut education.

Some hidden pictures on Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and Yuri Gagarin in one of the modules.

It was a beautiful way home, with the Kölner Dom in the background.

Visiting the worlds largest car show in Frankfurt, IAA (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung)

IAA also known as The International Motorshow in Germany is the worlds largest motor show in the world held in Frankfurt and Hannover. This year it is held between 17-27 september. The show is expected to attract more than 1 million visitors, around 220 new car releases can be seen at the show. With other words is it a lot to see at the fair.

The Mercedes-Benz house, quite impressive I would say.

 IAA, where new meets old...

 Teslas corner

 Jaguars new release Jaguar F-Pace cut in half.

 Hyundais supercar, or super

 Back to the Future car, DeLorean DMC-12.

 Porsche Mission E an electronic car and on of the most beautiful cars of the show.

Bugattis Vision Grand Turismo concept car (Bugattis first new car for 10 years), probably the coolest car at the show... It is supposed to give a hint of how the new generation Bugattis will look like. The new generation will be called Chiron andwill replace the Veyron.

 Mercedes-Benz cool concept car with a variable rear, pretty cool.

Money was not spared on the Mercedes-Benz house

F1 closeup

Food of the day, Brötchen mit Hähnchen

Bike trip to Kaiserwerth

On one of most brilliant summerdays when the sun was shining and it was not too hot nor too cold I went to the oldest city parts of Düsseldorf, Kaiserswerth. Kaiserswerth lies around 40 minutes with bike along the Rhine from Düsseldorf Altstadt. The bike paths to this suburb are magnificent  as well as the view over the Rhine on the way there.

When in Kaiserswerth one should really stop by the the ruins of Kaiserpfalz, an old castle dating back from the Holy Roman Empire, with other worlds the castle is almost 1000 years old. Today however it is only ruins left of it, but enough to get the feeling of being in the Medieval age (or the Lord of the Rings). Of course some Beergartens are located nearby with some nice Düsseldorf Altbiers.

On the way back I took the ferry back and therefore went back on the other side of the Rhine, this is highly recommended and it costs only 2 euros to take the ferry with a bike (it goes regularly just beside the Kaiserpfalz).

The bike road to Kaiserswerth, with Kaiserswerth within the red circle and Kaiserpfalz in green.

Picture from Rhine on Düsseldorf skyline

 My bike.

 The ruins of Kaiserpfalz

 View on the Rhine from Kaiserpfalz

The nearby bar with cheap beer as usual in Germany.

A barcar...

The ferry over the Rhine by Kaiserpfalz, it only costs 2 euros when you go with bike and it goes regularly.