The Federal Republic of Germany's space policy is designed to promote basic research, contribute to the development of space technology, and apply the findings in the public and private sectors. It is also aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the West German space industry and helping countries of the Third World to solve their development problems. The examples of space research and space technology given in this book also show to what degree space research is research on behalf of the earth, and that the international cooperation that evolved has become an important factor on the road to political integration. Topics discussed include: satellites; telecommunications; spacelabs; space travel; experimentation in zero gravity; radiation; time measurement; climate; cartography; and astronomy. (CW)