"You have to find what truly speaks to your heart" – an interview with Tibor Kapu
Few have experienced the feeling of seeing Earth from above. Tibor Kapu has. Yet when he stepped into the spotlight at this year’s Highlights of Hungary awards, the same calm and humility shone on his face as it did up there in space. For a moment, it felt like everyone was connected by one feeling: pride that this story is ours too.
At the gala held at the Budapest Music Center, over 140,000 votes decided the winners. Among the 25 nominees—each with stories that could inspire any of us—one award went to the man who carried the Hungarian flag back into space and who, upon returning home, seeks not glory but connection with people.
“It’s a huge honor that so many voted for me, and I’m grateful for everyone’s trust. The Highlights of Hungary social award shows me that the message of space exploration—knowledge, perseverance, and community power—truly touched people. That gives me incredible strength to keep carrying my mission forward.”
– he said at the awards, where I had the chance to interview him beforehand.
A young Hungarian among the stars
Tibor Kapu’s name is now synonymous with a new era of Hungarian space exploration. Born in Vásárosnamény, the mechanical engineer became Hungary’s second astronaut in 2025, spending 18 days aboard the International Space Station during the Ax-4 mission. There, he conducted experiments from radiation measurement to space biology, microfluidics, and pharmaceutical research, collaborating with Hungarian universities and research teams.
But the story everyone celebrates today is about more than technology. It’s about a young man who believed that with perseverance and faith, you can go as far as you want. “If I could say one thing to my childhood self, it would be: I’m very proud of you, and believe me, you’re on the right path,” Tibor answers my first question.
For him, this path didn’t start with privilege but with hard work and humility. His role models—his father, who could fix any machine, and Kobe Bryant, whose work ethic amazed him—taught him that real success is built on persistence.
The path that always leads back to people
Two and a half months after his return, his calendar is still full.
“I’ve received many honors, but even more valuable are the moments when I get to meet and talk with Hungarian people. We try to visit as many places as possible, especially schools, because one clear goal of the program is to inspire younger generations. Every meeting recharges me. Seeing love, pride, and sometimes respect in people’s eyes—that’s what truly gives me strength.”
I can fully confirm this: anyone who’s met him knows how genuinely he smiles, how kindly he responds, and how deeply he listens. He’s not only a role model through his work but also a truly good person who, even amid success, focuses on community rather than himself.
You have to find what truly speaks to your heart
When I ask what advice he’d give to those who feel far from their dreams, he replies:
“What helped me most was the journey of self-discovery. You have to find what truly speaks to your heart. That’s what brings the perseverance needed in every area of life. When I love something, I set goals, and that love gives me the drive to overcome every obstacle.”
But he never forgets that no one can reach the sky alone.
“Many colleagues, researchers, and friends supported me throughout the program, and above all, my family. Without them, none of this would have been possible. If you have the capacity to nurture these relationships, I believe that’s one of the most important things in life.”
The moment he’ll never forget
His eyes light up again when asked about his most defining memories. “I could relive the launch moment anytime, and when we first saw Earth… it was truly incredible.
But then, after docking, when we had been in space for just over a day, I had the chance to call my parents from the space station after only twenty minutes there. That’s a moment I will never forget.”
A legacy in the sky and in hearts
Finally, I ask what he hopes people will think of when they see his photo 100 years from now.
“You see, that’s a very, very tough question,” he says thoughtfully. “Although I feel young and believe I have many years ahead, being an astronaut has never been just a job for me—it’s a calling. Whatever my specific role in the future, I will always be a research astronaut.
I want people to see that I’m already consciously building something beyond myself—a legacy. That’s what I want to focus on in the coming years. The pride surrounding me and the program now truly represents this legacy for me, and that’s what I want to preserve.”
This year’s Highlights of Hungary award proved once again that audiences seek real value—stories that are about people, not just achievements. People who dare to dream and teach others to believe.
Tibor Kapu didn’t just take the Hungarian flag to space; he brought back the belief that perseverance, humility, and the power of community can make even the impossible come true.
