Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research

What Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research does

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) is a non-profit basic research institute headquartered in Göttingen, Germany, operating as a constituent institute of the Max Planck Society (Max-Planck-Gesellschaft). Founded in 1957 with 251-500 employees, MPS studies the solar system — including the Sun, planets, moons, comets, and asteroids — through three core departments: Sun and Heliosphere, Solar and Stellar Interiors, and Planetary Science. Its work combines observational astronomy, space-mission-based instrument development, and computational modeling and simulation to describe and predict solar and planetary phenomena.

The institute's technology stack centers on developing and building scientific instruments for major international space missions (ESA's Solar Orbiter, JUICE, BepiColombo, ExoMars/Rosalind Franklin rover carrying the MOMA analyzer, and NASA's Dawn and InSight) and on operating the Sunrise III stratospheric balloon-borne solar observatory, which captures solar data at ~50 km resolution and produced over 200 terabytes of imagery during its 2024 maiden flight. Proprietary capabilities include helioseismology and asteroseismology techniques for probing stellar interiors, the INSIDE project for measuring the Sun's deep magnetic field, and the MOMA instrument for chiral separation of biosignature hydrocarbons. The institute also runs the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Solar System Science jointly with the University of Göttingen and TU Braunschweig, having produced 250 doctoral graduates.

MPS does not generate commercial revenue; its funding comes from the German federal and state governments via the Max Planck Society, the European Research Council (multiple grants including WHOLESUN, WINSUN, ORIGIN, ELMO, PLANETOIDS, and a 2026 EUR 2.5M Advanced Grant for INSIDE), the European Space Agency, NASA, and other public science funders. Its primary "customer" is the global scientific community, with secondary public-outreach engagement (press office, guided tours, social media, the ESPOS seminar series). Strategic priorities for the coming years include delivering instruments for upcoming planetary missions, exploiting Sunrise III data, and expanding computational and data-assimilation research via the ComFyDa group and the new Inverse Problems Max Planck Research Group.

Name

Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research

Legal name

Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research

Website

https://mps.mpg.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) is a publicly funded, non-profit research institute in Göttingen, Germany, that studies the Sun, planets, and solar system through space-mission instrument development, observational astronomy, and computational modeling for the global scientific community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar System Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)

Keywords

• Solar system research
• Space mission instruments
• Helioseismology research
• Planetary science studies
• Doctoral research training

Headquarters

HQ city

Göttingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research conducts basic scientific research on the solar system — including the Sun, planets, moons, comets, and asteroids — through observational astronomy, computational modeling, and the development of instruments for international space missions. It organizes research across three departments (Sun and Heliosphere; Solar and Stellar Interiors; Planetary Science), operates the joint IMPRS Solar System Science PhD programme with the University of Göttingen and TU Braunschweig, and contributes scientific instruments to ESA and NASA missions such as Solar Orbiter, Sunrise III, JUICE, BepiColombo, Rosetta, InSight, Dawn, and ExoMars.

Product overview

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research is a research institution focused on studying the solar system, including the Sun, planets, moons, comets, and asteroids. The institute develops instruments for space missions, conducts modeling and simulation research, and operates educational programmes. The main products and services include the Sunrise III balloon-borne solar observatory, contributions to space missions (Solar Orbiter, Rosalind Franklin/MOMA), and the IMPRS PhD programme. The institute publishes scientific research and hosts the ESPOS seminar series for the academic community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IMPRS Solar System Science: International Max Planck Research School for Solar System Science - a joint PhD programme with the University of Göttingen and TU Braunschweig

Quantifiable outcome

• First measurement of Sun's magnetic field deep below the visible surface through INSIDE project
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• University of GöttingencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project partner for the International Max Planck Research School for Solar System Science (IMPRS), providing doctoral education and research collaboration. The 250th dissertation was produced through this partnership in 2026.
• Technical University of BraunschweigcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution in the International Max Planck Research School for Solar System Science, contributing to doctoral training and research collaboration.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing instruments and scientific expertise to multiple ESA missions including Solar Orbiter, BepiColombo, JUICE (JUpiter ICy Moons Explorer), and ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover mission.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating in NASA missions including Dawn (asteroid belt exploration) and InSight (Mars interior investigation) with instrument contributions and scientific leadership.
• University of Côte d'AzurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating research partner on Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) testing and validation, working with MPS and University of Göttingen on biosignature detection research.
• eRosita X-ray Telescope ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on discovery of interstellar tunnel using eRosita X-ray telescope data, revealing Local Hot Bubble structure extending toward Centaurus and Canis Major constellations.
• GWDG (Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Datenverarbeitung)supportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides Indico instance for hosting conference and workshop management at MPS.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics: Max Planck Institute in Garching specializing in astrophysics, space-based instrumentation, and X-ray/IR astronomy. Directly comparable on space-mission instrument development (eROSITA, various ESA missions) and physics-of-the-cosmos research portfolio.
• Institut für Astrophysik, University of Göttingen: Co-located university department and IMPRS partner, with overlapping research in stellar astrophysics and helioseismology. Shares infrastructure, doctoral students, and collaborative projects with MPS.
• Max Planck Institute for Astronomy: Sister Max Planck Institute in Heidelberg focused on astronomy, exoplanets, and galactic structure. Shares MPS's research-institute model, funding base (Max Planck Society), and instrument-development orientation, making it the closest organizational and cultural peer.
• Southwest Research Institute (SwRI): U.S. non-profit R&D organization with a leading Space Science division that develops instruments for NASA/ESA planetary missions (e.g., New Horizons, Juno, Europa Clipper). Closely comparable model — non-profit institute providing principal-investigator-led instrument development for major missions.
• Institut für Geophysik und extraterrestrische Physik (TU Braunschweig): Braunschweig-based space physics institute and active IMPRS partner. Comparable research portfolio in planetary and atmospheric physics, and co-develops instruments and doctoral training with MPS.

Broad incumbents

• Space Telescope Science Institute: Operates Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes and hosts major astrophysics archives. Comparable as a publicly funded research-operations center running flagship space-based observatories and managing large scientific datasets for the global community.
• NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: U.S. government's flagship space science center operating heliophysics and planetary missions (SDO, SOHO, MAVEN, Parker Solar Probe). Overlaps directly with MPS's solar and planetary science work as a mission partner on Solar Orbiter and other joint missions.
• CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales): French national space agency with deep involvement in planetary and heliophysics missions (e.g., co-PI roles on Solar Orbiter, BepiColombo, Mars missions). Comparable as a European public-sector counterpart funding and executing solar system science.
• European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESA ESTEC): ESA's primary space technology development center and a key contract partner for MPS's instrument contributions. Comparable in mission scope (Solar Orbiter, JUICE, ExoMars) and central role in European space science, though broader in mandate including engineering and mission management.

Regional players

• National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ): Japan's premier astronomy and solar physics research organization, operating Hinode and contributing to multiple planetary missions. Comparable mission portfolio and scientific scope but geographically focused on East Asian collaborations rather than European ones.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MPSGoettingen
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/max-planck-institute-for-solar-system-research
• Instagraminstagram.com/mpsgoettingen
• Xx.com/mpsgoettingen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research