The University of Debrecen has developed an instrument to be used in space travel

The first piece of equipment prepared by the University of Debrecen to be used in space has been completed, and it is scheduled to go into outer space at the beginning of next year. This unique instrument will measure radiation that affects technical equipment in the cosmic environment. The innovation created by DE SPACE’s Radiation Physics Research Group was presented at a workshop held in the Borsay Castle of our Mád Campus.

“The device that was prepared by UD’s specialists is a 3×3-centimeter radiation dosimeter, which will function as a part of a picosatellite. The final tests of the so-called “CubeSat” will be carried out in November, following which the packaging of the device will commence. The instrument that measures the cosmic radiation that affects electronic equipment is expected to be sent into space in the first half of 2023 by Space Exploration Technologies (the US space research company SpaceX),” said Vice Rector for Scientific Affairs of the University of Debrecen László Csernoch to hirek.unideb.hu.
At the meeting in Mád, the working groups of UD SPACE (Research Groups of Radiation Physics, Space Physiology, Space Nutrition, Space Medicine and Diagnostics, Climate Change, Isotopes and Their Applications) presented the most recent findings of their queries conducted in the program.

“In a two-year project of Tématerületi Kiválósági Program [Thematic Excellence Program] of Nemzeti Kutatási, Fejlesztési és Innovációs Hivatal (NKFIH) [National Research, Development and Innovation Office], UD SPACE researchers have performed outstandingly effective work. Cooperation efforts with market players have already been started. The professional results are also justified by the fact that, in the so-called UniSpace program, which has been established with the participation of the 17 Hungarian universities, UD’s task is to train space professionals skilled in life sciences, including nutrition and health sciences,” added the Vice Rector.

László Csernoch also highlighted the following features: the findings of the research carried out in the program could be directly used in the examination of individual phenomena of earthly existence, such as the fields exploring osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, muscle weakness, or radiation.


“In the program, we ask questions and pose queries that relate directly to space travel, long-term stays in space, and astronauts. However, through the concrete conclusions and pieces of observation, we also get answers that determine life on earth,” said the Vice Rector.


László Csernoch underlined that as many as 61 studies in international Q1 journals by researchers of the University of Debrecen have been published in the framework of this Topical Excellence Program. However, in order to continue the research, it will be necessary to establish a Nemzeti Űrkutatási Laboratórium [National Space Research Laboratory], through which domestic space research in Hungary will be able to help international space programs even more and specifically and efficiently.

Press Center – ÉE