Axiom Mission 4 carried Tibor Kapu into orbit on 25 June 2025, marking the third time a Hungarian citizen reached space. This flight followed a selection process initiated by the Hungarian government under the HUNOR program. Kapu served as a mission specialist, conducting research during a two-week mission that concluded with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Background and Education
Born in 1991 in Vásárosnamény, Kapu pursued an academic path in engineering. He attended the Krúdy Gyula Gimnázium before enrolling at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. There, he completed both bachelor and master degrees in mechanical engineering. His technical background includes experience as an automotive engineer, and he has demonstrated aptitude in strategic logic, earning silver medals in the World Junior Championship for the game Tantrix.
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The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade launched the HUNOR program in October 2021 to secure a follow-up to the 1980 mission of Bertalan Farkas. Kapu submitted his application on 31 January 2022, the final day of the intake period. From a pool of over 240 applicants, he was shortlisted alongside Gyula Cserényi, András Szakály, and Ádám Schlégl. Evaluations took place at Semmelweis University and the Kecskemét Air Base of the Hungarian Defence Forces. On 26 May 2024, the state officially named him the primary candidate for the mission.
Mission Execution and Recognition
Collaboration between the Hungarian state and Axiom Space facilitated the mission, which was finalized in July 2024. Kapu relocated to Houston in August 2024 to commence specific flight training. As a mission specialist on the Crew Dragon, he completed the 14-day flight, returning to Earth on 15 July 2025. He arrived back in Hungary on 18 August 2025. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen in 2025.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 November 1991, Vásárosnamény
- Education: Budapest University of Technology and Economics
- Spaceflight: Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
- Launch Date: 25 June 2025
- Role: Mission specialist
- Primary Award: Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen (2025)
- Achievements: Two-time World Junior Tantrix silver medalist
Questions readers ask
Which mission did Tibor Kapu fly on?
He served as a mission specialist on Axiom Mission 4, which launched on 25 June 2025.
How many Hungarians have flown in space before him?
He is the third Hungarian to fly in space, following Bertalan Farkas in 1980 and Charles Simonyi in 2007.
Achievements
- Educated at Krúdy Gyula Gimnázium and Budapest University of Technology and Economics
- Worked as automotive engineer, astronaut and mechanical engineer
