Space Camp at the University of Miskolc

Space activities are much more diverse than manned spaceflight, which tends to capture the public’s imagination, such as Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu’s mission to the International Space Station, pointed out Orsolya Ferencz, Ministerial Commissioner for Space Research. The HUNOR Program, which is preparing for the Hungarian space mission, is the result of the forward-thinking, creative minds of many Hungarian experts who have contributed to the scientific and technological preparation and implementation of experiments in space, she added. Degrees in this field can be obtained in Budapest and Miskolc, but further university courses related to this field are also in preparation.

Only the candidates’ actual abilities, knowledge, and achievements matter.

– said the ministerial commissioner responsible for space research.

The most important objectives of the Hungarian Astronautical Society are to disseminate knowledge about space travel and space research, to develop a uniform Hungarian technical language in astronautics, and to engage with young people. They intend to reinforce the principle that space science is not just about space travel, but is also present in everyday life: from disaster prediction, crop estimation, and satellite positioning to medicine and law. This idea was echoed in the welcoming speech by Prof. Dr. Péter Szűcs, Vice-Rector of the University of Miskolc, in which he spoke about space mining, the possibilities for expanding natural resources, and research and scientific activities related to space materials science in connection with the university’s courses. The University of Miskolc can connect to the space industry through its modern laboratories and well-trained scientific staff, conducting research in specialized fields and providing technical and natural science training.

The Space Camp was officially opened by Kálmán Kovács, president of MANT, with his presentation. The rest of the week’s professional program includes: small satellites in modern Earth observation, the Hungarian Earth observation satellite system currently under development, soil diversity as seen from space, materials science in outer space and materials technology on Earth, deployable structures in space, radio reception of satellite signals, private space travel, and commercial manned space flight. In addition, the students will pay a professional visit to Admatis Kft. in Miskolc, one of Hungary’s leading space industry companies. They will also be given access to university laboratories and will be able to watch spectacular chemistry experiments.

Space camp students will also learn about other opportunities available to their age group within the European Space Agency (ESA) education program, including the construction of CanSat satellite simulations.