Hungarian Astronautical Society abbreviated as MANT (Magyar Asztronautikai Társaság), is a non-profit organization focusing on educational and informative activities on space science, founded in 1986. The association considers itself a successor of the Astronautical Committee of the association called Scientific Lyceum (Hun. abbr.: TIT), founded in 1956; and the Central Astronautical Section of the Federation of Technological and Sciences Associations (Hun. abbr.: MTESZ). Members of the society are space researchers, other professionals concerned in space-related fields and others interested in the interdisciplinary and state-of-the-art uses of outer space.
Aims The main aims of the society are:
to recruit people for space research and engineering; to use space research and applications to educate about STEM fields like physics, astronomy, biology, studies on (space and flight) medicine, flight technology, meteorology and about other fields related like (space) law, sociology, psychology; to develop the independent and team-working skills and creativity of students by organizing youth competitions, group competitions and summer space camps; to publicize space research and everyday applications of space not only in public events but also through media relations; to keep contact with Hungarian space researchers and engineers working abroad; to keep the memory of the great Hungarian pioneers of astronautics; to act for Hungary in the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) (member since 1959) and in the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA); representing Hungary at the annual International Astronautical Congress as the only participating Hungarian organization; to improve international connections which is even more important since Hungary has become a Member State of the European Space Agency (ESA).
Regular events Main regular events of the society:
Hungarian Summer Space Camp (since 1994) Student Competition (since 1992) The Way to Space! Space contest for Hungarian-speaking high-school students Hungarian Space Academy (since 2015) Space Academy Club (since 2014, in February, April, September, November) Space Research Day (every fall) Hungarian Space Research Forum (biennial, odd years) H-SPACE Conference (international conference in English since 2015, biennial, even years)
Publications Hungarian Space Studies Annuary, since 1961 HU ISSN 1788-7771 English-Hungarian Space Dictionary, in cooperation with International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) as contribution to the IAA Multilingual Space Dictionary "Science is Born" (Tudomány születik) – Book of Interviews with Creators of Hungarian Space Studies, ISBN 978-963-7367-05-2 "Expanding Borders" (Táguló határok) – Book of Interviews with Hungarian Space Researchers of the '70s and '80s, ISBN 978-963-7367-09-0 "Our Space Campers" (Űrtáborosaink) - Book of Interviews with 12 former participants of the Hungarian Space Camp ISBN 978-963-7367-21-2
Hungarian Space Camp
History The camp was founded by Aunt Magdi, the "Space Granny", in 1994. Her intent was to introduce space research and astronautics to the youth. That time the program of the camp consisted mostly of lectures presented by the best-known Hungarian scientists in the field. Later the camp had a younger leadership, leading to a shift to more active and creative programs. From 2010 the duration of the camp is one week, from Sunday to Saturday. The participants are students between the age of 13 and 18, all interested in sciences and space topics. We are proud of the fact that the ratio of the girls among the participants is approaching 50%. About quarter of the students return next year and every fifth student becomes a regular camper. Some acknowledged space researchers started their "space career" in the Space Camp, like two of the secretaries general and several Members of Board.
Locations 1994 – Kecskemét, 1995 – Eger, 1996 – Veszprém, 1997 – Veszprém, 1998 – Győr, 1999 – Kecskemét, 2000 – Sopron, 2001 – Debrecen, 2002 – Székesfehérvár, 2003 – Budapest, 2004 – Kiskunhalas, 2005 – Gyulaháza, 2006 – Szentlélek, 2007 – Hollóstető, 2008 – Szentlélek, 2010 – Gyomaendrőd, 2011 – Sátoraljaújhely, 2012 – Kecskemét, 2013 – Alsómocsolád, 2014 – Felsőtárkány, 2015 – Sopron, 2016 – Debrecen, 2017 – Bakonybél, 2018 - Zalaegerszeg, 2019 - Sátoraljaújhely, 2020 - virtual (3-day online event), 2021 - virtual (3-day online event), 2022 - Székesfehérvár (planned)
Student competition MANT organizes a competition for primary and secondary school students every year. The topics announced in around October are always different, but focus on a current aspect of space research and exploration.
Lectures and activities In the camp space researchers and astronautical experts give lectures. Topics cover a wide range, from the basics of astronomy through problems of space debris to deciding the dilemma if Pluto is a planet or not. Other activities include several practical exercises make the camp exciting, e.g. water rocketry, underwater assembly, creating stereo pictures, astronomical observation, excursions, bathing, etc. There is a main topic every year which meets the topic of the Student Competition.
Mentor Program Since 2015 private individuals and companies are invited to co-finance the Hungarian Space Camp as Mentors. MANT welcomes financial support of participation of needy students from Hungary and from the Hungarian diaspora in the surrounding countries. In the past years about one fifth of the participants was able to join the Camp by favor of a Mentor.
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