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The success rate of the scientific portfolio compiled by Hungarian researchers exceeded the average success rate of the experiments carried out by NASA – said astronaut Tibor KAPU after returning to Hungary on 18 August. The University of Pécs contributed to the mission with three independent research groups and two consortium projects, opening new horizons in the area of 3D printing, zero-gravity brain research, and biomedical experiments.

Tibor KAPU was at the International Space Station as a member of the Axiom-4 mission between 25 June and 15 July in order to carry out 25 scientific experiments.

„Hungary has made years of progress in two weeks in such defining areas as medicine, materials, radiation monitoring, biology, physics, meteorology and agricultural engineering” – said the research astronaut, according to the Hungarian News Agency.

He also added that it will take a few more months  to present the results, but the success of the scientific portfolio compiled by the Hungarian researchers exceeded the average success rate of experiments carried out by NASA.

Projects of the researchers in Pécs on the International Space Station

As we wrote before, the University of Pécs contributed to the mission with three independent research groups and two consortium projects, opening new horizons in the area of 3D printing, zero-gravity brain research, and biomedical experiments.

The project called MagyAR (Neuromotion VR) examined cognitive and physiological changes in space with unique technological devices in order to seek answers to how mental abilities change during a space mission, and what brain and other bodily processes may be behind it.

The research group called PTE-3D–ESEL3D connected to the HUNOR – Hungarian to Orbit programme with experiments in the field of materials science. The aim of their research is to explore how space conditions – for instance microgravity, cosmic radiation, and vibrations during launch and reentry – affect the structure, mechanical, and microbiological features of the 3D-printed samples.

The Step in Space (SiS) programme also originated from Pécs, presents the scientific and human side of the HUNOR mission in VR, which can be viewed at the HUNOR visitor center, HUNIVERZUM in Budapest.

„Look what the Hungarians brought here!"

„Every time I performed some spectacular or significant experiment on the space station, my colleagues said to each other with appreciation: Look what the Hungarians have brought here!”

– said Tibor KAPU at the press conference after he had returned home. He believes that the exciting era beginning now will be about to evaluate and develop experiments in many parts of the country, as well as prepare the future of space exploration in Hungary.

Reaserchers of the Medical School in the Hungarian space industry network

Nine universities, two ministries agreed to establish a space industry network called the Hungarian Spacelab Network. The signing ceremony was held on that day when astronaut Tibor KAPU returned to Earth. Members of the cooperation: Semmelweis University, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Eötvös Loránd University, Óbuda University, University of Pécs, University of Debrecen, University of Szeged, University of Miskolc, Széchenyi István University, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Culture and Innovation, HUN-REN Institute for Computer Science and Control. Besides focusing on knowledge and innovation, the aim of the Hungarian Spacelab Network is to strengthen Hungary's role in international space exploration, develop necessary infrastructure, and build bridges between science, industry, and state actors.

As we wrote before, the University of Pécs Medical School contributes to the Hungarian Spacelab Network with three independent research groups and two consortium projects: ESEL3D, MagyAR and Step in Space.

Within the framework of the HUNOR – Hungarian to Orbit programme, researchers at the University of Pécs seek answers to questions, which are essential and will determine long-term space missions in the coming decades: how the human brain and perception change in space, what materials should be produced by 3D printing techniques on the International Space Station, how they handle conditions outside Earth. As a consortium partner, they will also grow peppers on the International Space Station, which are not only edible, but their leaves also contain vitamins and trace elements that are essential for astronauts at higher doses.

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MTI/Boglárka Bodnár