Hungarian research astronaut Tibor Kapu and his backup, Gyula Cserényi, have successfully completed NASA’s astronaut training, marking a significant step forward for Hungary’s HUNOR programme and their upcoming mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
The training, which began in August 2024 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, involved rigorous preparation in various aspects of spaceflight. The Ax-4 crew, including Kapu and Cserényi, underwent simulations of ISS operations, emergency procedures, and scientific experiment execution within realistic mock-ups of the station’s modules.
In addition to NASA’s programme, the astronauts received specialized training from Axiom Space, focusing on the unique aspects of their mission, and from SpaceX, concentrating on the Dragon capsule’s systems and operations.
The completion of this training signifies the final phase of preparation before the Ax-4 mission, which is scheduled for launch no earlier than May 2025. The mission will see the crew travel aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the ISS, where they will spend up to 14 days conducting scientific research, outreach, and commercial activities.
Kapu’s participation in the Ax-4 mission is a milestone for Hungary’s HUNOR (Hungarian to Orbit) programme, a strategic initiative aimed at establishing Hungary’s presence in international space exploration. Launched in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), HUNOR seeks to send Hungarian astronauts to space and promote domestic scientific and technological advancements.
The successful completion of NASA’s training by Kapu and Cserényi not only prepares them for the challenges of spaceflight but also represents Hungary’s growing role in global space endeavors.
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