Experiments
Open call for applications
In addition to the training program, the scientific domain has also achieved significant milestones.
The open call, which ran until the end of last year, attracted significant interest among Hungarian academic research institutions, universities and market actors, which is why the program extended the deadline for applications by a month and a half – so instead of the previous deadline of November 15, scientists could submit their research proposals until December 31. Experimental plans, instrument development concepts and science promotion initiatives were submitted to the HUNOR-mission from all over the country.
Earth observation, materials science, radiation science, fluid physics, data mining, virtual reality (VR), pharmaceutical research, medicine, microbiology, psychology – the wide range of applications shows that space activity is present in all scientific fields today, and this is as true in Hungarian science and high-tech life as it has been internationally for decades.
The program has been able to assess the scientific value of the experiments against the international forefront of space technology, based on independent peer review, with the help of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Axiom Space. The resulting set of experiments, approved by the program’s Steering Board, is currently being finalized.
On October 30, 2024, HUNOR Hungarian Astronaut Program experts announced that the domestic evaluation and assessment of the scientific portfolio had been completed, and thus the program experts initiated the process of approval of the research by NASA.
The portfolio is based on over 30 different activities, including various scientific experiments, technological developments and awareness-raising activities. In the domestic evaluation, scientists assessed the scientific relevance of the experiments against the international forefront of space technology. The research selected will be allowed to be launched on board the International Space Station with the permission of the US space agency.
HUNOR-program researchers will report back on the exact details once the scientific portfolio is finalized.
