In 2025, Magyar Posta is continuing the issue of thematic personalised stamps with a stamp with a label celebrating the HUNOR (Hungarian to Orbit) Hungarian Astronaut Programme. Twelve thousand two hundred and fifty copies of the stamp with a label designed by the graphic artists of the Graphasel Design Studio were produced.
In Hungary’s space strategy, the government has stated that it is in Hungary’s strategic interest to maintain and develop its competences necessary to continue activities in space and to endeavour to strengthen its position in the increasing international competition in the space sector.
As part of the space strategy adopted in 2021, the Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) national research astronaut programme was established. On 30 July 2021, the Hungarian
government published a government decision approving the contract preparing the way for a Hungarian research astronaut mission as well as the domestic industrial development measures and resource requirements related to making the mission come about.
More than 240 people with ambitions to become an astronaut submitted their applications by 31 January 2022. Following a complex and rigorous vetting and preparation process, the HUNOR Programme Management Board decided who would be Hungary’s next research astronaut and backup astronaut on 26 May 2024. Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer, was selected for the position of the research astronaut, and Gyula Cserényi, a heavy-current electrical engineer, for the backup position. The Hungarian research astronaut will carry out experiments relevant to Hungary in space together with the scientific initiatives of Hungarian universities, research groups and companies. (Source: space.kormany.hu)
The main element of the thematic labelled stamp and the commemorative first day cover released to mark the HUNOR Hungarian Astronaut Programme is the mythical miraculous stag drawn in the sky as a constellation, a symbolic reference to Hungary’s return to space. The common motif of the stamp’s label, the special first day cover and the special postmark is the official logo of the HUNOR Hungarian Astronaut Programme.
