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Welcome to Czech Space

Thu, 2006-08-31 19:17, Jan Kolář

Space exploration and research have a long tradition in the Czech Republic. The Interkosmos 1, launched on 14 October 1969, was the first satellite carrying instruments developed in the former Czecho­slovakia. Several dozens of Czech instruments and systems have been employed during following twenty years in space projects containing near Earth environment investigations and planetary missions as well.

Czech Republic is a place of excellence for aeronautics, space technology, satellite navigation, earth observation / remote sensing, geoinformation systems and aerospace research. More than 40 Czech companies are engaged in space and communication business.

The Czech Republic’s participation in European space programmes is the main objective of the national space activities. In this context, it is essential for the Czech Republic to concentrate resources on strengthening the relationship with the ESA. The specific goal of the Czech space activities is to maintain and further develop already gained knowledge and skills in various space -related fields both in research and in industry. This makes the Czech Republic a reliable partner for mutually beneficial international scientific and industrial cooperation. In parallel, these capabilities contribute to the establishment of space-based systems that should benefit the user community of the Czech Republic. The key sectors of national space activities are astronomical studies, magnetospheric, ionospheric and atmospheric research, remote sensing and the Earth observation, microgravity research experiments as well as a competitive industry production, including small satellites construction.

 The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports is the governmental responsibility for the implementation of all space-related agreements the Czech Republic has signed, such as the one with the ESA. To assist to the ministry the Czech Space Office maintains direct communication with space-related experts and institutions inside the country and at the same time develops relationships and programmes supporting international cooperation.


CZECH SPACE MILESTONES

  • First instrument in space: solar photometer - Interkosmos 1, 14 October 1969
  • First instrument on interplanetary probe: micrometeorite detectors - Mars 4, 21 July 1973
  • First animals in the space: Japanese quails - Kosmos 936, 3 August 1977
  • First cosmonaut: Vladimír Remek - Soyuz 28, 2 March 1978
  • First satellite: Magion 1 - 24 October 1978
  • Equipment on Halley comet probe - Vega 1, 15 December 1984
  • Instruments for Mars exploration - Fobos 1, 7 July 1988
  • 23 Interkosmos satellites with Czechoslovak instruments - Interkosmos Programme (1969-1991, 25 satellites)
  • Five Magion satellites - 1978, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1996
  • Four space furnaces CSK on MIR space station - CSK-1 1984, CSK-1A 1994, CSK-1C 1995, CSK-4/TITUS 1995
  • Two MACEK micro-accelerometer flights - Resurs F 15, 23 June 1992 and Atlantis-STS 79, 16 September 1996
  • Microsatellite Mimosa, June 2003