• Home
• Channel: Current Affairs
• 100 Applicants Shortlisted to be Next Hungarian Astronaut

100 Applicants Shortlisted to be Next Hungarian Astronaut

• 15 Feb 2022 7:08 AM
• Hungary Matters

One hundred applicants out of more than 240 entries submitted by Jan. 31 have been shortlisted for the next round of tests for the Hungarian programme to send the next astronaut to space, the foreign ministry’s commissioner for space research and programmes said.

The 86 men and 14 women applicants for the programme dubbed Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) are already in the process of filling out tests on their skills online, Orsolya Ferencz told a press conference in Budapest.

The next astronaut Hungary plans to send to space will be selected based on physical, psychological and professional criteria, in line with the Astronaut Policy of the European Space Agency (ESA), she said.

Simultaneously with the selection procedure, the identification of Hungarian-developed technical equipment and experiments to be tested in space is also under way, Ferencz said.

Péter Sztáray, state secretary for security policy, noted that the government adopted the country’s first space strategy in 2021 which includes sending a man on a space mission as a priority.

“After the selection process, a Hungarian astronaut can be expected to be sent on a mission to the International Space Station in the first half of 2024,” he said.

The 100 million US dollar programme defines supporting the development of the domestic science and industry sectors as another priority.

Hungary’s first man on a mission to space was Bertalan Farkas in 1980.


MTI Photo: Szilárd Koszticsák

• How does this content make you feel?
• I love it
• I like it
• I dislike it

• Astronaut HUNOR

XpatLoop Media Partner

Hungary Matters

Launched in January 2014, this newsletter published on week days covers 'everything you need to know about what’s going on in Hungary and beyond', according to its publisher the state media agency MTI.

Explore More Reports

Updated: Hungarian Astronaut: European Space Agency Signs Agreement with Hungary

• 2 Apr 2024 5:52 AM

Hungary has signed a framework agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) on cooperation in its national research astronaut programme, the foreign ministry’s commissioner for space science said.



Watch: Orbán Re-Elected Leader of Fidesz - Party Congress Round-Up

• 20 Nov 2023 3:23 PM

The 30th congress of ruling Fidesz re-elected Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as the party’s leader on Saturday. In his speech to the congress, Orbán said it was an “honour” to be given the mandate to lead the “most successful political community of the country, of Europe”.



Solely Up to Hungarians to Decide Who Can Reside in Hungary, Emphasises Orbán

• 20 Nov 2023 6:42 AM

Addressing the Hungarian Permanent Conference in Budapest, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in connection with migration that it was solely up to Hungarians to decide who can and cannot reside in Hungary and on what terms.



Updated: Shortlisted Applicants for Hungarian Astronaut Programme Presented

• 8 Mar 2023 6:07 AM

Four applicants shortlisted for the Hungarian astronaut programme dubbed Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) were presented on Tuesday, and they will start a two-year training programme, the foreign ministry said.