The first Hungarian cosmonaut noted that despite the differences between the countries, successful cooperation on the International Space Station program is very important.
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| Bertalan Farkash. |
| Source: warheroes.ru |
BUDAPEST, April 12th. /TASS correspondent Ivan Lebedev/. Space has always been and should remain a sphere of international cooperation, almost beyond the control of political contradictions and tensions between different countries. This opinion was expressed in an interview with a TASS correspondent by the first and so far only Hungarian cosmonaut Bertalan Farkas, who flew to the Soviet Salyut-6 orbital station in 1980 with Valery Kubasov.
He noted that even in recent years, Russia and the United States, despite serious disagreements, continued successful cooperation on the International Space Station (ISS) program. "This is very important," Farkas said, expressing hope that this will continue in the future.
Fees to Houston
On April 12, the 75-year-old veteran traditionally receives congratulations on Cosmonautics Day from many people, including his friends from Moscow, where he expects to visit again this year. However, a phone call from a TASS correspondent found him packing for the United States. On Sunday, he goes to the center of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Houston (Texas), where preparations for the flight of 32-year-old Hungarian engineer Tibor Kapu continue.
During a long-term competitive selection, Kapu became a candidate for a flight to the ISS under an agreement with NASA and the American company Axiom Space, which is engaged in space tourism and the development of space technologies. Farkas is a consultant for the training program for the future Hungarian astronaut, who will travel to the space station as part of an international crew.
According to Farkas, the flight is scheduled for the end of May, although the exact date will depend on the weather and NASA's launch schedule. Kapu will embark on a journey to the stars on the Dragon spacecraft, which will be launched into orbit by a Falcon 9 launch vehicle from Space X. Experienced American astronaut Peggy Whitson has been appointed commander of the spacecraft, and the crew, along with a Hungarian engineer, will include Indian test pilot Shubhanshu Shukla and European Space Agency astronaut Slavosh Uznansky.
Kapu will spend 30 days at the station and perform a number of scientific experiments according to a program compiled by Hungarian universities and research centers. Farkas is glad that Hungary will have another person who will conquer space heights, and considers this important for the country from a scientific and political point of view.
Hopes for renewed cooperation
The value of the contract between Hungary and Axiom Space has not been disclosed. In 2020, the Hungarian government negotiated with Roscosmos on the organization of an astronaut's flight to the ISS, but they did not yield results. According to the TASS correspondent's sources, the parties could not agree on the terms of such a mission, in particular its cost. However, Farkas hopes that Budapest and Moscow will be able to resume broad cooperation in the space field, especially since there is a desire on both sides.
Farkas was the fifth cosmonaut from socialist countries to travel to the stars on a Soviet ship under the Intercosmos program, following colleagues from Czechoslovakia, Poland, the GDR and Bulgaria. After that flight, he became a Hero of the Hungarian People's Republic and a Hero of the Soviet Union, and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General of the Air Force.
The first Hungarian cosmonaut went on a flight on the Soyuz-36 spacecraft together with Kubasov on May 26, 1980. During a week of work at the Salyut-6 station, Farkas conducted a dozen and a half scientific and medical experiments, including using Hungarian instruments and equipment. This year Hungary will celebrate the 45th anniversary of that space trip.
