University President Jutta Günther and Benny Rievers, the deputy director of ZARM, welcomed their guests with a guided tour of ZARM, offering insight into the unique infrastructure for cutting-edge research at the University of Bremen.
The tour of ZARM, which is part of the Faculty of Production Engineering began with a presentation on the work carried out in the Drop Tower. Professor Rievers illustrated how experiments in zero gravity are conducted in a 110-meter tube. The Bremen Drop Tower is a globally unique research facility and a key component of aerospace research.
State Councilors Stuhrberg and Hagen and State Secretary B?singer were then given an up-close look into “The Martian Mindset” (MAPEX), the new Cluster of Excellence, and the MaMBA concept, which simulates living conditions on Mars in order to create an extraterrestrial base.
Professor Benny Rievers explained the concept using a model. The Martian Mindset Cluster of Excellence addresses the issues of resource scarcity and developing sustainable production technologies. The researchers adopt a “Martian mindset” to rethink the production of materials and components from scratch. The scarcity of resources and extreme environmental conditions on the Red Planet serve as an experimental setting for developing a new sustainability paradigm that enables innovative, resource- and energy-efficient processes for extracting and processing materials. In the long term, the cluster aims to contribute to sustainable space exploration while also driving the green transformation on Earth.
Like the “The Ocean Floor” Cluster of MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen, The Martian Perspective was successful in the DFG competition last May and will be funded as a Cluster of Excellence starting next year.
University President Jutta Günther emphasized that the success of both clusters demonstrates the high quality of research in Bremen and serves as a mark of distinction for Bremen as a hub for research and space exploration. “We have excellent researchers, very good research conditions, and a distinct research culture in Bremen,” she stated. Collaboration extends beyond Bremen and is exceptional. For this reason, the University of Bremen is applying jointly with the University of Oldenburg to compete for the title of “University of Excellence.” Applications for Universities of Excellence must be submitted in November of this year and will be reviewed early in 2026. A decision will be made at the end of 2026.
