At the Ministerial Council of the European Space Agency (ESA) the Czech Republic confirmed its participation in the new programmes of the agency, thereby boosting its position in the European space sector. This follows up the National Space Plan 2026–2032, recently approved, which sets out a long-term vision for the development of Czech space activities. Thanks to these new ESA programmes signed, up to €113 million could be made available to domestic industry.
Aleš Svoboda, a fighter pilot and member of the European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut back-up team, is entering the second phase of his preparations for his future mission to space. Eight weeks of intensive training in Cologne and other European locations will bring new experience: from designing and managing space missions to the basics of aerodynamics and orbital mechanics and such challenges as survival training in the Baltic Sea and a weightless parabolic flight in Bordeaux, France.
The government of the Czech Republic has supported the participation of the first Czech astronaut on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The cabinet perceives major Aleš Svoboda's mission as an extraordinary event with a societal impact and also as a big stimulus for the development of the Czech space industry, science and education. Sending an astronaut is an opportunity to support the transformation of the Czech economy towards innovation and high value-added products, to increase the competitiveness of Czech businesses and to inspire a new generation to study science and engineering.
In cooperation with other ministries, the Ministry of Transport has selected 14 experiments for the ISS to be controlled by Czech astronaut Aleš Svoboda. They range from physiology to demonstrators of new technologies and include activities for the general public as well. Although the experiments are mostly related to basic research, they will bring benefits for space and terrestrial applications. Some of them should reach the ISS before the Czech astronaut Aleš Svoboda starts his mission at the end of 2027 and others will fly on board with him.
18 December 2024 – After almost fifty years, a Czech astronaut is preparing for a trip to space. A few days ago, Army combat pilot Major Aleš Svoboda officially completed the first of three phases of the European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut reserve team training programme in Cologne, Germany. The seven-week training included, among other things, the basics of biology and physiology with an emphasis on the body's adaptation to weightlessness, winter survival training, training for outdoor ascents and media training. The next phase of ESA training awaits Svoboda in the second half of next year, with the final preparatory block in spring 2026. .
The Ministry of Transport as the coordinator of space activities in the Czech Republic signed the so-called Zero Debris Charter. The move was made as part of an event for the Czech industry aimed at preparing the upcoming phase of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Space Security Programme. The objectives of this programme are closely intertwined with the Zero Debris Charter initiative.