Hungary and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a framework agreement on cooperation in the Hungarian space research programme, as announced by Orsolya Ferencz, Ministerial Commissioner for Space Research at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Ferencz stated that under the agreement, ESA will provide support for astronaut training, flight medical training, ground control centre operations, and also the integration of scientific programmes, MTI reported.
This is a unique opportunity, as
Hungary is the first among the 22 Member States to become an official partner of ESA
in the implementation of its national space research programme.
‘With the framework agreement we have just signed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is elevating its cooperation with the European Space Agency to a new level, enabling us to foster closer partnerships with our international counterparts. This is significant not only for the Hungarian space sector but also for the entire European space community,’ Orsolya Ferencz stated.
The ministerial commissioner recalled that in 2021, the Hungarian government adopted the National Space Strategy developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This plan will facilitate collaboration among national research centres, universities, and space industry companies in a unified national space research programme. Participating universities, companies, and space industry organizations in the Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) programme will deploy scientific instruments and conduct research that the Hungarian astronaut will execute aboard the International Space Station by late 2024 or early 2025.
As reported by Hungarian Conservative, Hungary could soon send an astronaut into space again after decades. Negotiations between the Hungarian government and Axiom Space have been ongoing for a considerable time regarding the issue, and the results of the talks are already beginning to emerge. Last September, during a visit to Texas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced that all obstacles to the participation of a Hungarian astronaut in an international expedition had been removed.
‘It is now definite: after many decades, Hungary is sending a man into space again. The research astronaut will carry out experiments on the International Space Station for 30 days, and the list of tasks will be drawn up by Hungarian space industry players and our universities,’ Szijjártó wrote on his Facebook page. The Foreign Minister also mentioned that the Hungarian astronaut will undertake this expedition as part of an international team of four. In the contract with Axiom Space, one of the world’s leading space exploration companies, a launch window has been set from October 2024 to the beginning of 2025.
Péter Szijjártó’s September statement also reiterated that there are currently four Hungarian astronaut candidates still in contention, who commenced their training in Austin and Houston last October.
The fact that Hungary is sending a man into space again is not only symbolic.
The Hungarian space industry companies, higher education institutions, and research institutes involved in the mission will establish a ‘space industry reference’ through the tools and knowledge developed, which is a prerequisite for entering the global market. The international experience gained through the implementation of its research spacecraft programme will significantly enhance Hungary's role in the international space race and could provide a significant competitive advantage to the sectors involved.
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