The Hungarian Space Research Office (HSO; Hungarian: Magyar Űrkutatási Iroda) is the official Government of Hungary agency responsible for the civilian space program as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. It is the organization whose purpose is to coordinate Hungarian space exploration-related activities, both national programs and European Space Agency related programs, where Hungary is a member state.
European Space Expo in Budapest
The Hungarian Space Board (HSB), headed by Dr. Kálmán Kovács (former Minister for Informatics and Communications), helps the work of the Government in strategic cases.[1] The government advisory body in technical matters is the Scientific Council on Space Research (SCSR). The SCSR provides the scientific background of all Hungarian space activities. The research and application activities have been carried out in about 25 scientific institutes and university departments. Their personnel, involved in space-related work consists of more than 250 scientists and engineers. The Hungarian government established it in January 1992.[2][3] The former director is Előd Both (1997-2015), the present director is Fruzsina Tari.
In 2003, the Hungarian Space Office signed the ECS Agreement in 2003 with the ESA to become a cooperative state.[4] On 24 February 2015, the office signed to become part of the ESA, and deposited their ratification on 4 November 2015.[5]
In July 2022, the Hungarian foreign ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with Axiom Space to develop the HUNOR or the Hungarian to Orbit Program.[6] In September 2023 it was announced that the two parties signed a spaceflight framework agreement facilitate the launch of a Hungarian astronaut to the International Space Station.[6] On August 5, 2024, it was announced that Tibor Kapu would be the Hungarian Astronaut to be launched on-board Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).[6]
Kapu, a recreational skydiver with a master of mechanical engineering, was selected out of a pool of 247 applicants to be Hungary's astronaut and has undergone rigorous training.[7] Gyula Cserényi, an electrical engineer and amateur steeplechase racer was selected as the backup and the second active Hungarian astronaut.[8] Kapu is set to become the third Hungarian to space, and the first after the fall of the Soviet Union.[7][9]
Ax-4 is scheduled for launch in May 2025 and also includes the first Polish astronaut since the fall of the Soviet Union as part of the Ingis program.[10]
^"A magyar űrkutatás hírei". 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^Journal of Space Law. Lamar Society of International Law. 1998. p. 62. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
