Hungary’s Newest Astronaut Chosen for Space Mission
Hungary is set to send a new astronaut into space after many decades, with Tibor Kapu being chosen as the primary candidate by an expert committee. The reserve astronaut will be Gyula Cserényi, who will undergo final training alongside Kapu, announced Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on Monday.
The decision to send a Hungarian astronaut into space comes 44 years after Bertalan Farkas became the first Hungarian astronaut. The government has launched a national research space program to advance scientific and industrial developments, with a focus on high-tech sectors such as health sciences.
After a rigorous selection process, Tibor Kapu, a 32-year-old mechanical engineer with experience in the automotive industry, was chosen as the next Hungarian research astronaut. He will be joined by Gyula Cserényi, a 35-year-old electrical engineer, as the reserve astronaut.
Both astronauts will undergo training in the United States under a contract with NASA and Axiom Space. The training will prepare them for the physical and mental challenges they will face, including a 48-hour journey to the International Space Station.
Szijjártó expressed confidence in the selected astronauts and highlighted the importance of their mission for Hungary’s space exploration efforts. He also praised the other candidates for their contributions to the mission as senior members of the ground support unit.
“We congratulate the two selected astronauts and hope for a successful mission, following in the footsteps of Bertalan Farkas,” Szijjártó said. With the preparations underway, Hungary is on the brink of another historic moment in space exploration.
