Hungarian astronauts trained in isolation, sleep deprived, and with maths problems

The Ministerial Commissioner for Space Research has shared details of the rigorous training undergone by Hungarian astronaut candidates, outlining a series of challenging tasks they needed to complete to be selected. She also discussed Hungary’s future in the space industry and her expectations for the Hungarian EU presidency regarding European space policy.

In an interview with Index, Orsolya Ferencz, a space researcher, Ministerial Commissioner for Space Research, and head of Hungary’s European Space Agency (ESA) delegation, spoke about space research in Hungary and the tests Hungarian astronaut candidates underwent during training.

Hungary joins the space industry

Since 2018, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has overseen the Hungarian space programme. In its 2021 Space Strategy, the Ministry stated that the country should open up to space technology development. While Hungary is not a major power in space exploration, neither is the European Union, Ferencz noted. “It is very difficult to get into this club [of space powers],” she admitted.

Indeed, Hungary cannot enter the sector on its own, making bilateral and multilateral agreements essential to realise the significant benefits of space exploration, according to Ferencz. Professional knowledge and research facilitation are also crucial.

“I am very happy that more and more people are now ambitious about the Hungarian space industry, which shows the success of the work carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in recent years,”

Ferencz said. She added, “It is no secret that Hungary would like to have, if not a say, at least a look into the big boys’ game. Our realistic aim should be to get many more than the current two or three Hungarian SMEs to become suppliers to the big companies.”

For Hungary to establish its role as a supplier in the market, it must produce equipment for the European Space Agency’s scientific missions. It is also encouraging that companies, universities, and research institutes are increasingly able to apply for and participate in European space missions and research.

However, participation in space exploration requires financial backing: in 2018, the budget for space research totalled EUR 5.1 million. By comparison, in 2024, the budget for ESA programmes alone will be EUR 32 million.

Hungarian astronauts to go to the International Space Station

Hungarian astronauts could be on board the International Space Station as soon as late 2024 or 2025, reports Index. The candidates have undergone more than a year of training, including a six-day test jointly developed by Semmelweis University and the Counter-Terrorism Centre. Ferencz explained that the test assessed both the physical and mental stamina of the candidates, who had to spend 144 hours locked in a 48-square-metre container under constant professional observation.