Hungary has announced plans to send another research astronaut, Gyula Cserényi, to the International Space Station (ISS), marking the continuation of the country’s expanding role in international space exploration. The decision follows the success of Hungary’s previous Axiom Space mission, which generated significant scientific and economic benefits.
According to Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, the first Hungarian space mission in recent decades carried out 60 scientific experiments, 25 of which were led by the Hungarian astronaut in collaboration with domestic companies, universities, and research institutions. The results of these experiments are still being analysed and are expected to contribute to further strengthening Hungary’s economy and innovation sector.
Szijjártó emphasized that Hungary remains committed to maintaining its regional leadership in space research and innovation. He described the country’s ongoing partnership with the United States and Axiom Space as ‘a new milestone in the success story of Hungarian–American cooperation’, underscoring the strategic importance of scientific collaboration in advancing Hungary’s technological capabilities.
The foreign minister recalled that before Tibor Kapu’s mission, Hungary had also trained a reserve astronaut, Gyula Cserényi. Now that the country has a trained research astronaut, a reliable American partner, and clear scientific results and economic benefits, he said, it is essential to continue the programme.
Tibor Kapu became the second Hungarian to travel into outer space on 25 June 2025. He spent 18 days aboard the International Space Station as part of the Hungarian government’s HUNOR space programme, followed by an additional two days on board his spacecraft before returning to Earth—bringing the total duration of his mission outside the atmosphere to 20 days.
The 33-year-old astronaut was launched from the John F Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, on 25 June, and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of California on 15 July. During his mission, Kapu was personally responsible for 24 of the 60 scientific experiments conducted by the four-member research team. He also participated in seven additional projects, ranging from cardiovascular monitoring to advanced navigation systems, showcasing the HUNOR programme’s ambitions and contributing to vital research on the effects of microgravity on human health and technology.
During his time in orbit, Kapu was interviewed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The two discussed the astronaut’s experiences aboard the International Space Station, including the details of his research and the Hungarian food he brought with him to space.
Of the 44 countries that have ever sent an astronaut into orbit, the United States leads by a wide margin with 379 astronauts, followed by Russia (and the former Soviet Union combined) with 128 cosmonauts. China ranks third with 27 taikonauts. Hungary is currently tied with countries such as the United Arab Emirates, India, Israel, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Spain, each having sent two astronauts into orbit. If Gyula Cserényi’s mission proves successful, Hungary would join the global top ten, tied with Australia and Saudi Arabia, with three astronauts having reached orbit.
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