Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu set to launch to International Space Station on May 29

Hungarian research astronaut Tibor Kapu is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on May 29, 2025, as part of the Axiom-4 mission, a senior Hungarian official confirmed Tuesday.

Orsolya Ferencz, Hungary’s ministerial commissioner for space research, announced the date in a video posted to Facebook, calling it a “historic moment” that concludes nearly two years of astronaut selection and training in Hungary, followed by eight months of mission-specific preparation in the United States.

Ferencz noted that Kapu and his backup, Gyula Cserényi, successfully completed a rigorous training program meeting the highest standards of NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space.

“With his training now complete, Tibor Kapu is ready for the mission. Through this scientific program, Hungary is once again proving its resilience and dedication,” Ferencz said. “After many decades, the Hungarian flag will rise once again into space. We invite everyone to follow this new chapter in Hungary’s scientific achievement.”

At a joint online press conference hosted by Axiom Space and the European Space Agency (ESA), officials announced that the launch is scheduled for 7:03 p.m. Central European Time (1:03 p.m. EDT) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew will travel aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Joining Kapu on the mission are U.S. commander Peggy Whitson, Polish mission specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Indian pilot Shubanshu Shukla.

Balázs Nagy, director of research and development at the HUNOR – Hungarian Astronaut Program, said Kapu will conduct around 25 Hungarian-designed experiments. These were developed by universities, research institutes, and private companies.

In total, the Ax-4 mission will carry out nearly 60 scientific experiments from 31 countries – a record for any Axiom Space mission aboard the ISS. The experiments will span fields such as medicine, cancer research, and diabetes. Some studies may lay the groundwork for the first spaceflight involving a person with type 2 diabetes, with potential implications for treatment on Earth.

Source: MTI (Hungarian News Agency)

Featured image via HUNOR (Hungarian to Orbit, the Hungarian astronaut program)