Our complex space research testing laboratory was solemnly opened today at the Centre for Energy Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA EK). General Director Ákos Horváth (MTA EK), András Pócza, Head of the Department for ICT Regulation and Management at the Ministry of National Development (NFM), Attila Hirn, head of the Space Dosimetry Research Group, and Balázs Zábori, technical responsible for the MTA EK Space Research Laboratory welcomed the event.
Welcome speech at MTA EK (Attila Hirn, Head of the Space Dosimetry Research Group, András Pócza, Head of the Department for ICT Regulation and Management at the Ministry of National Development , General Director Ákos Horváth (MTA EK), Balázs Zábori, technical responsible for the MTA EK Space Research Laboratory)
The central part of the laboratory is an ISO7 class cleanroom, where space hardware assembling and integration activities can be carried out according to ECSS (European Cooperation for Space Standardization) specifications. The thermo-vacuum facility and the vibration facility, where the essential tests of the space hardware can be performed, are in direct connection with the cleanroom. The space research laboratory also includes electronic development laboratories equipped for space hardware development. Space hardware are tested for high vacuum and extreme temperatures with special equipment in the thermo-vacuum facility, whereas launch loads are simulated in the vibration facility with a high-performance vibration test system that is outstanding in the country. In case of malfuncion of the tested instrument, it can be easily returned to the cleanroom for disassembling and error search. As Balázs Zábori highlighted, this kind of complexity of the laboratory enables that the final integration as well as the essential testing of the flight hardware are performed at the same premises. Significant costs and development time can be saved this way. There has been no other space technology test laboratory so far, with such capabilities in Hungary, which also meets the space industry standards. The construction of the laboratory was completed by the end of 2017 and now it operates at full capacity. During the week before the official opening ceremony, for example, a Polish space company (Astronika Sp. z o.o.) performed their tests in our laboratory.
General Director Ákos Horváth pointed out that this story is an excellent example for the transfer of knowledge between generations. This is important not only in space research, but in all areas where we have to look ahead for decades. As an example, Nuclear Safety Research was brought up by Ákos Horváth.
András Pócza emphasized that the opening of the space researchlaboratory is an important milestone in the history of Hungarian space research over the past several decades. A unique test lab has been created in Hungary.
Balázs Zábori, Ákos Horváth and András Pócza in front of the invited guests
At the opening ceremony, besides the Ministry of National Development, the Department of Industrial Strategy of the Ministry for National Economy, the Department of Research Institutes of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the Hungarian Technology Transfer Office of the European Space Agency, two major Hungarian space companies (BHE Bonn Hungary Ltd., C3S Ltd.) and the Hungarian Aerospace Technology Platform were also represented.
Balázs Zábori and Ákos Horváth introduce the vibration test facility to the invited guests
Visit of our guests at the thermo-vacuum facility
Balázs Zábori, Attila Hirn