SPACE::TALK with astronaut Ivan Bella

On Thursday, March 2, 2023, astronaut Ivan Bella visited the Institute of Experimental Physics SAS in Košice. On the occasion of the 24th anniversary of his flight into space, he met with employees of the Department of Space Physics who worked to prepare scientific experiments for his Space Mission Štefánik. He also presented the details of the mission to the general public during the popular SPACE::TALK meetups.

“Institute of Experimental Physics SAS prepared an experiment Dozimetria to measure cosmic radiation, which astronauts are exhibited to during their stay at the space station. It was interesting to hear how General Ivan Bella remembers the course of this experiment and about the details that colleagues have not yet heard,” said RNDr. Šimon Mackovjak, PhD., researcher of the Department of Space Physics. “The talks of older colleagues who worked directly on the preparation of this experiment and then analyzed it after returning from the cosmic orbital complex were interesting as well.”

Discussion with employees of the Department of Cosmic Physics was followed by the program for the public as part of the regular SPACE::TALK meetups. At the beginning, in the production of Michal Vojsovič, participants could hear a record of authentic broadcasting by Slovak Radio, which at that time was the only electronic medium in Slovakia to broadcast a live telephone connection with the first and so far the only Slovak astronaut. Subsequently, Ivan Bella presented the entire course of his mission from demanding preparations to adrenaline start and an unforgettable stay in space to the stories that took place after his return back to Earth. During a lively discussion with the audience, people could also learn interesting things that cannot be found in commonly available sources about this space mission.

“Few years ago, when we first started SPACE::TALK meetups, our motivation was to open our lab, so that the general public with interest in the space could learn more about the research we and also our colleagues from Slovak institutions do. This was already the 20th SPACE::TALK and I am very pleased that participants could experience an exceptional and enriching talk,” added Šimon Mackovjak, who organizes activities of Department of Space Physics for general public under the SPACE::LAB brand.

The timing of Ivan Bella’s visit in Košice was organized to announce an interesting anniversary. Exactly 45 years ago, the Czechoslovak astronaut Vladimír Remek started his space mission. For those interested who would like to meet Ivan Bella personally, there will be an opportunity at a conference and a program for the public within the “ESA Day in Slovakia”, which will be held in Košice on March 16-17. The aim of this event is to raise awareness of the associated membership of Slovakia within the European Space Agency (ESA).