Hungarian Successes in Space Exploration

From the Tungsram Moon Radar Measurements to the Present Day

Abstract

Getting us to participate as effectively as possible in space-related economic activities is a challenge
for the present and the near future. The war raging in our neighbourhood once again highlights
the scarcity of exploiting scientific results based on military applications. Hungarian radio
electronics during the Second World War, e.g. radio tube production and their applications in the
development and deployment of various types of radios, electronics, devices and radars such as
the SAS, Borbala and Turul, were based on the military operational and technical requirements
of the Military Institute of Technology (HTI). All our technical achievements are based on the
intellectual potential of our world-class secondary and university education issued in 1920s by
Kunó Klebelsberg. Today, as 80 years ago, our potential is largely determined by the Hungarian
linguistic environment and our historical achievements in the field of engineering. By assessing
these, we can explore and assess the industrial and technical background of our predecessors,
the directions in which they were successful and how this was received in the international
environment. Since the Tungsram Moon radar measurements led by Zoltán Bay represent
a milestone in this process, the space-related aspects of the then and recent successes will be
reviewed, highlighting the messages for today.