the University of Pécs (PTE) hosted the awards ceremony of Space Challenge 2025, a nationwide competition exploring the theme “human life beyond Earth.” Organized by the Pécs Cultural Centre with support from PTE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the competition awarded a total of HUF 4.6 million in prizes to visionary student teams who proposed groundbreaking ideas for life beyond our planet.
Now in its sixth year, Space Challenge has evolved from a regional talent program into a major national competition across four age groups—from 5th graders to university students. Nearly 100 teams submitted anonymous entries showcasing concepts like Mars colonies, space debris removal, Moon vacations, and smart spacesuits.
Vice-Rector Dr. András Komócsi opened the ceremony by highlighting the role of science and space in shaping humanity’s future, quoting Carl Sagan: “Man is the instrument of the universe for the universe to learn about itself.”
Tamás Ary, space officer of the HUNOR program, reminded attendees of Hungary’s proud space legacy, including 140 Hungarian-developed tools currently in space and Tibor Kapu’s upcoming mission aboard the International Space Station. He emphasized the growing importance of Hungarian universities like PTE in space research and education, especially through the UniSpace Hungary consortium.
Top entries included futuristic lunar bases, Mars domes, debris-cleaning robots, and biomedical solutions for astronaut health. First-prize winners received 400,000 HUF, while second and third places earned 350,000 HUF and high-quality tech packages respectively.
The People’s Choice Award went to TAMASO, whose smart suit concept helps astronauts combat muscle loss in space. The competition’s manager, Gábor Horzsa, praised the jury and the growing innovation community forming around space research in Hungary.
The event closed with a call to action:
“Think, believe, dream, and dare.”
Source: University of Pécs
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