The Hungarian Astronaut Program (HUNOR) just released a video in which their astronaut, Tibor Kapu (or Kapu Tibor, because Hungarians put the family name first) solved a Rubik's Cube aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with planet Earth spinning behind him through the iconic round windows of the European-built Cupola module! Tibor has already returned to Earth, is in excellent condition, and is currently undergoing a post-mission reconditioning training, allowing his joints to gradually adapt to gravity.
In a short video message recorded in Hungarian, Kapu Tibor greeted us from space with these words:
"Greetings from outer space!
The Rubik's Cube is one of the world's most famous Hungarian inventions.
If you got a Rubik's Cube at home then grab it and solve it with me!
[ solves cube... ]
Thank you for joining me to solve the Rubik's Cube together!"
We have seen many extreme solves, like solving underwater, while parachuting or riding a unicycle but this was the first ever Rubik's Cube solve from a space window.
The original video was uploaded to the @magyarurhajosprogram YouTube channel, which we translated and made it available with English captions.
A Hungarian Cube, A Hungarian Astronaut 🌍
This feat is a nod to Hungary's greatest invention floating over Earth, by a Hungarian astronaut. The Rubik's Cube was invented in 1974 by professor Ernő Rubik, and now it's been solved far above Budapest: about 400 km higher, to be precise. Astronauts can bring only a small amount of personal items to the ISS. Equipment size is very limited due to strict space, weight, and safety rules. Everything is selected carefully and approved well in advance, even months or years before launch.
Why this video is so special:
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Believe it or not, this is not the first cube in zero gravity. On a parabolic 'Vomit Comet' flight, aerospace engineer Bailey Burns solved a Rubik's Cube in just 19 seconds under microgravity. She trained for two years, improving her time from 42 to about 20 seconds. NASA's Space Shuttle missions averaged about $93,400 per kg to ISS. So the estimated price to take a 80 gram cube to ISS is $7,472.
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No records show a cube on the ISS or in space. Kapu's solve, with Earth rotating in view, appears to be a first of its kind moment aboard the space station.
- It connects two Hungarian symbols: innovation and space adventure.
Taking a Closer Look at the Solve
Kapu Tibor begins with a fully scrambled Rubik's Cube. It looks like an original Rubik's brand, though there's no sticker on the white center to confirm this. Instead of solving the white cross first, according to the beginners' method, he starts with the white corners, which is a bit unusual.
The video is sped up over 10×, and there's a visible cut when he's doing the final layer. Maybe he hit a tricky case and asked a fellow astronaut or somebody else 👽 for help. Or maybe he looked up a YoutTube tutorial.
What's really cool to notice is that a gentle flick is enough to fully rotate the cube in zero gravity.
Interesting Facts About the International Space Station (ISS)
- What is the ISS?
The International Space Station is a giant science lab that orbits Earth about 400 km (250 miles) above us. It travels around the planet roughly 16 times a day with 28,000 km/h (17,500 mph) since since 1998. - Who built it?
It was built by more space agencies: the USA (NASA), Russia (Roscosmos), Europe (ESA), Japan (JAXA), and Canada (CSA). It's one of the biggest international tech projects ever. Over 100 countries have contributed science experiments making it a symbol of international cooperation. - How do astronauts get selected?
Astronaut candidates usually have backgrounds in science, engineering, or military aviation. They go through tough physical tests, problem-solving exams, and team challenges before training. Kapu Tibor was selected from over 240 candidates who applied to Hungary's astronaut program, HUNOR. - It's all kinds of experiments
Researchers on Earth send experiments to the ISS, like growing plants in space, testing materials, or studying how the human body reacts to zero gravity. - Longest stay aboard the ISS?
Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov holds the record for the longest single spaceflight. He spent 240 days then 437 days in space in his second mission in 1994 - 1995. Astronauts today typically stay 6 months, but long stays let scientists study how the body reacts to space for future Mars missions. - Featured in movies
The ISS played a key role many movies, for example in the Oscar-winning Gravity (2013), where Sandra Bullock's character struggles to survive after a space disaster.