Hungarian Astronaut Lands at JvNU

2025-09-30 09:07

Space is here! - The HUNOR Program Sparks Enthusiasm in Kecskemét

The HUNOR Program and the subject of space travel were successfully promoted in Kecskemét. Hungary's second astronaut, Tibor Kapu, along with Kecskemét native Gyula Cserényi, Kapu's reserve research astronaut, held a public meeting at John von Neumann University on September 22, 2025.

The topic of space travel dominated national conversation over the summer. Following Bertalan Farkas, Tibor Kapu became the second trained Hungarian astronaut to fly to space. The HUNOR research astronaut has since embarked on a nationwide tour to share his experiences with compatriots across the country.

Tibor Kapu and his team spent a day in Kecskemét

Tibor Kapu's Kecskemét visit was naturally undertaken with reserve research astronaut Gyula Cserényi. They began the day at the Calvinist Grammar School, which Gyula Cserényi also attended. Next, they visited the Kecskemét Air Base to meet with soldiers, before heading to John von Neumann University in the afternoon to deliver a compelling talk on their experiences to a large, interested audience.

Before the public event, we had the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with Tibor Kapu, during which we asked about the packed main auditorium awaiting them, filled with roughly six hundred people. While fame has its drawbacks, Kapu is focused only on the positive.

"The walk between my office and apartment in Budapest takes two minutes, but I can't complete it without people asking for a selfie. I'm actually incredibly happy about that. If it weren't happening, it would mean the HUNOR program wasn't reaching the public," said Tibor Kapu, Hungary's second astronaut.

“Who could have predicted this five years ago?”

Tibor Kapu described their achievement as an unexpected success. "Five years ago, no one would have imagined hundreds of thousands of people downloading an app to track the International Space Station, nor would anyone have thought that half the country would go out onto the streets or into their gardens at dawn to wave at a fast-moving space station," the research astronaut explained. He noted that while much is said about the scientific research related to his space flight, he wouldn't be surprised if in twenty years people primarily remember these shared community moments.

He recalled being at Lake Balaton during the 1999 total solar eclipse, and he believes many children today will remember looking up at the sky with their parents at night and waving at a moving dot—inside which was “Uncle Tibi Kapu".

Tibor Kapu aspired to be a fighter pilot but soared higher

During our conversation, Tibor Kapu mentioned how much he enjoyed visiting the Kecskemét Air Base and seeing the Gripen jets, as his childhood dream was not to be an astronaut, but a fighter pilot. Following his father, he became a mechanical engineer—a profession he is very proud of—but still found his way to flying, albeit in a spacecraft, which is quite different from a Gripen.

A day aboard the International Space Station

Tibor Kapu also shared details about his meticulously scheduled time on the International Space Station. They woke up at 6:00 AM daily, started with a morning conference, and then proceeded to a 12-hour workday. Only one official meal was planned, though they could snack anytime. They used a water dispenser to prepare powdered drinks, like orange juice.

The Hungarian astronaut's most unique experience was sleeping. "It's like lying on a perfect memory foam mattress, where every air particle around you works to support you. I wish there was a way to replicate that on Earth, but unfortunately, it hasn't been invented yet," Kapu recalled. He also humorously touched upon the hygiene situation. With one toilet for eight people, the mornings involved a queue—or, more precisely, a “floating line.”

The Famous TV Teddy Bear Flew to Space Twice

Tibor Kapu carried personal items on his journey, despite being limited to a 1.5-kilogram baggage allowance. Several items represented Hungarian culture.

Among his belongings was the TV Maci (TV Teddy Bear) that Bertalan Farkas had carried into space four decades prior. He also took a Rubik's Cube, plush animals, and personal photos of family and friends, which provided strength—though he never felt fear.

Tibor Kapu's launch was nearly scrubbed

During our brief interview, we asked Tibor Kapu about the launch itself. He stated that the space journey was almost thwarted at the very last moment due to multiple issues before liftoff. The astronauts had to be strapped in and ready two and a half hours before launch, but they only truly believed it would happen during the final ten seconds.

"In addition to several wealthy and powerful people arguing online, which almost caused a delay, we also had multiple technical issues: there were leaks in the Space Station and in our rocket. We only passed the second leak test. As if that wasn't enough, there was also a seemingly minor but critical file upload error. In the end, every error was resolved at the last minute. The launch was the most defining ten minutes of my life—I will always remember it and would relive it every day," Tibor Kapu recounted.

Source: Baon.hu (Bács-Kiskun County News Portal)