The launch is expected to take place in the spring of 2025, but the exact date depends on many things.
Tibor Kapu's Hungarian research astronaut and his reserve, Gyula Cserényi, has been in America since the summer and is preparing for the big adventure with members of the Ax-4 crew. The Hungarian astronauts moved to the United States in July this year to prepare for Axiom Space's fourth commercial space flight, the Ax-4 mission. In addition to Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX are also helping to train and prepare the crew. The astronauts of the HUNOR program revealed that the American daily life of learning, practical training and training takes place.
While the astronauts at NASA's Johnson Space Center receive practical and theoretical education about the International Space Station, its modules and the living conditions on board, SpaceX provides them with training on the operation of the Falcon-9 rocket and the Dragon spacecraft.
They learn about space dynamics, working in microgravity, preparing for possible emergencies, using spacesuits, and getting in and out of the spacecraft, every moment of the mission.
According to designated reserve research astronaut Gyula Cserényi, the two-year preparation phase organized by Hungarian specialists provided an excellent basis for passing the American training and tests.
"Before the American training, we already participated in various survival trainings, isolation training, strength tests, and passed all necessary medical examinations. During our domestic training, we acquired essential skills, so in many cases our knowledge just needs to be refreshed and supplemented," explained Gyula Cserényi.
During the American training, there was, for example, centrifuge and helicopter training.
"During the latter, they prepared us for landing in the ocean and for possible complications during landing by introducing us to escape techniques," revealed the research astronaut.
"In the centrifuge there is a long cabin called a nacelle, in which the interior of the spacecraft is projected. During the exercise, the "capsule" we sit in is rotated in such a way that we can experience the forces that affect the astronauts from the start of the rocket to the arrival in space, until the separation and return," explained Gyula Cserényi.
The launch is expected to take place in the spring of 2025, but the exact date depends on many things. The American part of the space station has two points that can be automatically docked with the Dragon spacecraft.
"These ports are constantly busy, as there are also cargo deliveries in addition to manned missions. All departures and arrivals are coordinated by NASA in cooperation with international partners. They will also decide on the assignment of our mission," Tibor Kapu listed.
In the two weeks before launch, the crew will live exclusively with the crew in the self-contained accommodation, so that no viral or bacterial diseases can get on board the space station.
The team members are doctors and operatives.
"A few days before the launch, the crew participates in a rehearsal of the activities planned for the day of the launch, so that we can familiarize ourselves with the experiences that await us and start to apply what we have learned so far.
This test includes donning the spacesuits, traveling to the launch pad, boarding the Dragon spacecraft, strapping into the seats, and all the procedures leading up to the moment the rocket is launched," said the research astronaut.
The selected members of the Ax-4 mission are American veteran astronaut Commander Peggy Whitson, Indian pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (reserve Prasanth B. Nair), an ESA astronaut, Polish Sławosz Uznański and Tibor Kapu as mission specialists.
"Our commander, Peggy Whitson, is a role model for American astronauts. He has two feet on the ground, is very likeable and very accommodating. And our goal is common: we must make the mission a success," said Gyula Cserényi.
Thanks to the mission, there is a chance to make scientific breakthroughs that can be used in other space projects in the future.
This was already an example during the Artemis program, when the Hungarian radiation measuring devices proved themselves. "The space sector is a very rapidly developing sector, which is worth joining, because it means a long-term investment for Hungarian higher education institutions, Hungarian researchers and, of course, the Hungarian economy," stated the reserve astronaut with a degree in electrical engineering, who also mentioned that they keep in touch with Bertalan Farkas, the first Hungarian astronaut, who, even decades later, can still pass on a lot of useful experience to them.
Cover photo: Tibor Kapu and Gyula Cserényi are preparing in the United States
Source: Facebook/Gyula Cserényi
