Hungarian space research
Hungarian space exploration and space activities – from Zoltán Bay’s pioneering moon-radar experiment to Tódor Kármán’s scientific activities and Bertalan Farkas’ space voyage to the development of the Pille dosimeter – have a history of 75 years. The capabilities of domestic research laboratories, scientific institutes and even economic actors now stand out internationally.
It is in Hungary’s strategic interest to maintain and develop its competencies for activities in space, to strive to strengthen its position in the increasingly intense international competition in space activities, building on its decades-long tradition in the industry.
In the same spirit, a decision was taken to send a Hungarian astronaut to space for the first time since 1980, to serve on the International Space Station (ISS), in order to participate in the international mission with independent Hungarian experiments and instruments developed in Hungary. This opportunity is unique in terms of its economic and scientific value, but it will also make a significant contribution to the promotion of the Hungarian space industry, space research institutes and, more broadly, natural sciences.
Hungarian milestones in space research
1946
Zoltán Bay and his team carried out the world-famous moon-radar experiment in Budapest in 1946, which marked the beginning of the success story of Hungarian space research.
1957
Prior to the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite, a research group on optical satellite tracking was established at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 1957. So in 1961, under the leadership of engineering student Csaba Ferencz, the Rocket Science Student Association was founded, which laid the foundations for the space research groups of Eötvös Lóránd University (ELTE), the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and the Eötvös Loránd Research Network Centre for Energy Research (ELKH EK). These research workshops continue to operate successfully today.
1967
The first major boost came with the accession to the Interkosmos Cooperation in 1967. In 1970, the first Hungarian space instrument, the Tánya micrometeorite trap, was carried on research rocket Vertyikál-1, launched to explore the upper atmosphere. In 1972, the instrument proved its worth in orbit on satellite Interkosmos-6.
1980
The golden age of Hungarian space research began with Bertalan Farkas’ space flight in 1980, when space research groups were established at the largest universities and research institutes in Budapest and nationwide. These groups achieved world-class results in space dosimetry, space biology and space matter science, and laid the foundations for the framework of space research that still exists today.
1986
In addition to the Soviet Union, Hungary and Czechoslovakia provided the instruments for the Vega-1 and Vega-2 space probes launched to study Venus and Halley’s Comet.
1991
After the termination of the Interkosmos Cooperation, Hungary was the first among the former socialist countries to conclude a cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA). Soon afterwards, the first space industry companies were established, exploiting the results of space research. In 1998 we became part of the European Space Agency’s PRODEX programme for the development of scientific instruments, and in 2003 we signed a so-called PECS agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) to help us prepare for membership. Hungary became a full member of the ESA in 2015.
2021
The HUNOR Hungarian Astronaut Program, launched in 2021, is a worthy continuation of the less well-known but scientifically recognized and world-class achievements of the past 75 years.
