Sky’s the limit
Yet it is not only in space research but the space industry where Hungary sees a future. The government-close communications company 4iG recently created a space and defence arm, which will spearhead the drive to establish a whole space and defence ecosystem in Hungary.
Showcasing its ambitions, 4iG is building a space industry centre in Martonvasar, about 30 kilometres from Budapest. Slated to begin operations in 2026, the facility aims to produce mid-sized (400 kilograms) satellites for commercial use.
“We want to be the flagship Hungarian company in space technologies, integrating the whole sector from universities and research centres to SMEs offering production, operation and data evaluation services,” Istvan Sarhegyi, CEO for 4iG Space & Defence Technologies Zrt., tells BIRN.
While 4iG SDT is not involved in the June 10 mission, Sarhegyi personally knows Kapu, who previously worked for REMRED, now a subsidiary of 4iG Group and a supplier for both ESA and NASA’s Artemis (Lunar exploration) program. “He is a really brave guy, clever and very inspiring,” Sarhegyi says, admitting with a laugh that he himself is afraid of flying “let alone sitting on a space rocket”.
4iG SDT is expected to produce eight earth observation satellites in Hungary. “We will develop, test and produce these satellites, our ground stations will operate them, and a third domain of our company will process, store and monetise the data,” Sarhegyi explains the strategy.
Satellites have become a backbone of the modern economy, collecting data about the weather, climate change, forestry as well as operating agriculture machinery or being responsible for money transfers.
“It’s an ambitious project,” Biro observes, though she remains cautious. “Hungary has a space strategy and a commissioner, but we face shortages in skilled labour. MSc-level space engineering training has only just begun at Budapest Technical University. It will take time to build the necessary amount of a skilled workforce.”
Yet all experts agree that Kapu’s mission could serve as an important source of inspiration for Hungarian researchers and hopefully boost interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects at school and university.
The only “leg” 4iG SDT (and Hungary) is missing is launch capacity. For this, 4iG is reportedly in talks with Musk’s SpaceX, which provided its Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket for the spacecraft carrying Kapu’s crew to the ISS. There are rumours the US tech entrepreneur could invest in the Martonvasar facility, though Sarhegyi would not confirm any details. Still, 4iG Group’s chairman, Gellert Jaszai, was part of a Hungarian delegation led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban that presented the project to Musk during a visit to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in December.
“The PR is good,” Biro remarked, “but it remains unclear what Hungary or 4iG can offer SpaceX in return. Perhaps cheaper manufacturing capacity than other companies.”
The closeness of 4iG Group and its CEO to Orban’s circle is an open secret in Hungary. But Sarhegyi maintains that 4iG SDT does not receive any state subsidies, although acknowledges the fundamental role of the state in the space sector, both as a key customer and as a facilitator of international relations.
The company has clear ambitions in the region, especially in the Western Balkans where 4iG is already present in infocommunications and where the Hungarian government has built up political alliances. “We see the Western Balkans as a potential market for our space services. Hungary’s HUSAT program [to manufacture satellites] will be Central Europe’s biggest private satellite program – we will have the infrastructure and can offer services to other countries and companies in the region,” Sarhegyi says.
Beyond business, the space and defence sector also plays a role in national security and sovereignty – a topic dear to the Hungarian government. “In the 21st century, space technology has become part of a country’s national sovereignty. It is simply indispensable, as can be seen in Ukraine’s case,” says Sarhegyi, quickly adding that it will all be rolled out within the international frameworks of the EU and NATO.
As Hungary reaches for the stars once again, it does so with a mix of national pride, geopolitical ambition and economic interest. Whether Tibor Kapu’s journey becomes a singular moment or the launchpad for a new space era for Hungary remains to be seen.