On the 18th December, the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt and the German Space Operations Centre (GSOC) in Obepfaffenhofen near Munich, Germany, signed a cooperation agreement.

Rolf Densing, ESA’s Director of Operations and Head of ESOC explained, "Public space infrastructure should be used as effectively as possible. ESA therefore endeavours to establish a European network of competence centres. Close cooperation between ESOC and GSOC, as well as subsequent cooperation with other agencies and organisations, should strengthen Europe's position as a partner and competitor in the world market".

This cooperation between ESOC and GSOC covers five areas: ground control systems, ground stations, space security and on-orbit servicing, post-International Space Station activities and crewed spaceflight, as well as general cooperation.

See here for more details about ESA's ESOC operations centre, and for information on mission operations at DLR visit their website.