Another Milestone in Building the Future of Space Exploration: Hundreds of Students at the Satellite Meetup
Hundreds of high school students recently filled the John von Neumann Faculty of Informatics at Obuda University, where the traditional Satellite Meetup of the CanSat Hungary 2026 competition was held. The event was opened by Dr. Orsolya Ferencz, Ministerial Commissioner for Space Research, who emphasized the importance of nurturing domestic talent and strengthening the high-tech sector. On behalf of the host institution, Prof. Dr. Miklós Kozlovszky, Head of the Space Lab, welcomed participants and presented the university’s faculties and academic programs, encouraging students to pursue further studies in engineering and information technology.
The central focus of the event was a professional showcase of the 67 teams that successfully advanced from the first round of the competition. Nearly 250 participants, including students and their mentors, had the opportunity to present their ongoing developments to a jury composed of space industry professionals and researchers. Several jury members have also played active roles in the successful Hunity project and provided practical advice and professional guidance to support further development of the mini-satellites. As part of the program, students were not only able to learn about each other’s projects, but also to see the rocket that will later carry the best mini-satellites to an altitude of nearly one kilometer during the final round.
The CanSat competition is an international initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA), designed to introduce high school students to complex engineering thinking through the simulation of a real space project. The challenge requires teams to integrate all essential subsystems of a real satellite—such as power supply, sensors, and communication modules—into a device no larger than a standard soda can. Throughout the program, participants gain not only theoretical knowledge in physics and programming, but also hands-on experience in radio technology, circuit design, and 3D printing. The top teams may also represent Hungary at the international finals within the framework of the ESA-ESERO program.
Prof. Dr. Miklós Kozlovszky
The professional day was further enriched by lectures from distinguished experts. Astronomer Örs Hunor Detre, development engineer at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg and a recognized Hungarian expert on the James Webb Space Telescope, delivered an inspiring presentation titled “From CanSat to Earth Orbit.” Levente Dudás, Assistant Professor at Budapest University of Technology and Economics and a leading expert in space telecommunications, presented the latest in-orbit data from the Hunity mission. The technical background of satellite launches was outlined by Norbert Pfaff, President of the BME Suborbitals rocket development team, who introduced Hungary’s domestic rocket technologies used for launching small satellites.
The prestige and smooth execution of the event were ensured by the presence and professional contribution of respected figures such as Dr. Gergely Pálmai, Deputy State Secretary; Anna Krisztina Székely, Deputy Secretary General of the Hungarian Astronautical Society (MANT); Dr. Péter Vári, Deputy Director General of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority; and István Arnócz, Competition Director of CanSat Hungary.
The significance of the meetup was best summarized by Ministerial Commissioner Dr. Orsolya Ferencz:
“I am extremely proud that, as a result of our work, a competition has been launched and successfully organized for years in which high school students build functioning satellite models. My sincere thanks go to the organizers, the Hungarian Astronautical Society (MANT), Obuda University, and all educators, mentors, and teachers for their dedicated and professional work. The development of a knowledge-based society and the high-tech sector is the foundation of Hungary’s future.”
The photographs were taken by Péter Püspöki on assignment from the Hungarian Astronautical Society.
(More photos are available on Facebook.)
The CanSat competition is an international initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA), designed to introduce high school students to complex engineering thinking through the simulation of a real space project. The challenge requires teams to integrate all essential subsystems of a real satellite—such as power supply, sensors, and communication modules—into a device no larger than a standard soda can. Throughout the program, participants gain not only theoretical knowledge in physics and programming, but also hands-on experience in radio technology, circuit design, and 3D printing. The top teams may also represent Hungary at the international finals within the framework of the ESA-ESERO program.
Prof. Dr. Miklós Kozlovszky
The professional day was further enriched by lectures from distinguished experts. Astronomer Örs Hunor Detre, development engineer at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg and a recognized Hungarian expert on the James Webb Space Telescope, delivered an inspiring presentation titled “From CanSat to Earth Orbit.” Levente Dudás, Assistant Professor at Budapest University of Technology and Economics and a leading expert in space telecommunications, presented the latest in-orbit data from the Hunity mission. The technical background of satellite launches was outlined by Norbert Pfaff, President of the BME Suborbitals rocket development team, who introduced Hungary’s domestic rocket technologies used for launching small satellites.
The prestige and smooth execution of the event were ensured by the presence and professional contribution of respected figures such as Dr. Gergely Pálmai, Deputy State Secretary; Anna Krisztina Székely, Deputy Secretary General of the Hungarian Astronautical Society (MANT); Dr. Péter Vári, Deputy Director General of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority; and István Arnócz, Competition Director of CanSat Hungary.
The significance of the meetup was best summarized by Ministerial Commissioner Dr. Orsolya Ferencz:
“I am extremely proud that, as a result of our work, a competition has been launched and successfully organized for years in which high school students build functioning satellite models. My sincere thanks go to the organizers, the Hungarian Astronautical Society (MANT), Obuda University, and all educators, mentors, and teachers for their dedicated and professional work. The development of a knowledge-based society and the high-tech sector is the foundation of Hungary’s future.”
The photographs were taken by Péter Püspöki on assignment from the Hungarian Astronautical Society.
(More photos are available on Facebook.)
