FM: It was ‘an honor' for foreign ministry to coordinate second Hungarian research space mission
Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said on Tuesday that it was 'an honor' for the foreign ministry to coordinate the completion of the second Hungarian research space mission after 45 years.
Tibor Kapu's return to Earth on Tuesday marked the end of the stage of the mission that the Hungarian research astronaut spent on the International Space Station, Minister Szijjártó said during a break in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, according to a ministry statement.
'We are proud that Hungary is among the countries that have been able to become a frontrunner in global technology, space exploration and the space industry by placing a research astronaut mission at the top of their space exploration and space industry programme,' Minister Szijjártó said.
'This Hungarian research astronaut mission gave us the opportunity to carry out several scientific experiments that could only be conducted on the ISS, and which will ensure more serious growth and breakthrough opportunities for the Hungarian economy,' the minister said.
Minister Szijjártó said it was 'an honour' for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to be chosen by the government seven years ago to carry out the space mission.
'It was an honour for us to be able to successfully complete this complex, often doubtful task,' Minister Szijjártó said. 'It was an honour to work with all the candidates who felt the courage and willingness to carry out this important mission as the second Hungarian research astronaut.'
'We thank Tibor Kapu for completing the preparation and taking on this mission, representing 15 million Hungarians,' the minister said. 'It was an honour for all of us at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to coordinate the second Hungarian space mission.'
'I hope the entire Hungarian nation is proud that from this day, Hungary can say that it has completed two successful space missions within half a century,' he added.
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