On Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke via video link with Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, who is participating in the international Axiom-4 mission.
“I am still somewhat overwhelmed, as this was the first time I have ever done something like this, and I was talking to an exceptional person after all,” stated Viktor Orbán in a video uploaded to his Facebook page following the discussion.
When asked whether he would be interested in traveling to space if the opportunity arose, he responded: “Of course, tomorrow morning.”
I would like to see what we are like from the outside, to see the whole Earth at once,”
he added.
Photo: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Kommunikációs Főosztály/Fischer Zoltán
The prime minister noted that he sees the country, and even the EU, as a whole because of his work. But seeing the whole Earth as one must be a special experience, and perhaps only possible from space, he said.
At the beginning of the conversation, the prime minister said that Hungarian children want to be Tibor Kapu right now, and if he were a child, he would probably feel the same way. Kapu shared that he is enjoying his time at the space station. After the 26-hour journey, his parents were the first people he called, who told him about the significant impact the launch had.
He emphasized that
one of the goals of the mission had already been achieved: it had attracted the attention of many Hungarians and could inspire others.
Photo: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Kommunikációs Főosztály/Fischer Zoltán
The prime minister raised the issue that there is sometimes debate within the government about whether it is worthwhile for Hungary to participate in the space industry.
According to Kapu, this is not a question, repeating his words after stepping onto the ISS: “Small nations can dream the biggest dreams.”
The international composition of the Axiom-4 mission also demonstrates this, he stressed. He added that every forint invested could be recouped sixfold in the future.
Responding to the prime minister’s question, he also talked about how he spends his time on board the ISS. He spends most of his days conducting experiments, as 25 of the approximately 60 planned experiments are related to Hungary. His main area of research is the study of the physiological effects of radiation.
In addition, he has already planted the first pepper, radish, and wheat seeds for microgravity testing.
Speaking about his experiences, he said that space travel has both physical and mental effects, such as decreased bone density and “space fog,” which makes it difficult to concentrate.
Finally, when the prime minister asked him if the war was visible from space, the astronaut replied that from there he could only see beautiful colors, clouds, and cities.
Fact
The Ax-4 mission launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida toward the International Space Station (ISS) with Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu on board on June 25, at 8:31 a.m. Central European Time. The mission, commanded by American Peggy Whitson, includes Indian pilot Shubhanshu Shukla and Polish mission specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, in addition to Kapu. Following a successful docking maneuver next day, the scientific part of the mission has begun.
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Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Kommunikációs Főosztály/Fischer Zoltán
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