Czechia to Send First Astronaut in Nearly 50 Years to Space

After almost half a century, the Czech Republic will send another astronaut into space.

Following in the footsteps of Vladimír Remek, army fighter pilot Aleš Svoboda from the Czech Army’s Tactical Air Force Base in Čáslav will become the second Czech in space.

The government received an offer to send him on a space mission last year but considered the project too costly. Now it has agreed to provide the finances.

“This is an incredible moment because we’ve waited over 50 years for another person connected to the Czech Republic to go into space,” said Jiří Dušek, director of the Brno Observatory and Planetarium.

Svoboda has been visiting the observatory since childhood, just like Vladimír Remek. It could be said that both their journeys to space began there.

Czech aerospace and defense companies will contribute to the mission, as will those interested in conducting research or experiments on the International Space Station.

“Every crown invested in the space program will return up to eight times,” Kupka added. If all goes according to plan, a Czech astronaut could be launched into space as early as next year.

However, economist Lukáš Kovanda insists the expense is unjustifiable. “If it costs 1.5 billion for one astronaut, that’s the same amount the Czech Republic allocates to tens of thousands of households annually for housing support.”

Political analyst Jan Kubacek also criticized the high costs. “It’s indefensible. It’s highly unprofitable for the government,” Kubacek remarked, pointing out that the government should prioritize more pressing issues. He highlighted the poor road network and lack of access to healthcare.

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