Discussions also focused on current trends and strategic directions in space technology development, the prospects for deep-space exploration, and opportunities for long-term cooperation and joint international projects.
During their visit, representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade,the Czech Space Agency, learned about the Faculty's research activities. The delegation included JUDr. Václav Kobera, Director of the Department of New Technologies and the Czech Space Agency; Ing. Ondřej Šváb, Head of the Space Activities Unit; and Ing. Ondřej Rohlík, Ph.D., the Czech Republic's delegate to the programme boards of the European Space Agency (ESA).
"At FEI, we develop technologies with the potential to be used not only on Earth but also in space. Our ambition is to become an active partner in the Czech space programme and to connect cutting-edge research with specific international missions," said Radek Martinek, Dean of FEI.
One of the Faculty's most ambitious projects is CONREX, a planned experiment for the International Space Station. As part of the Czech Journey to Space initiative, the experiment is expected to accompany astronaut Aleš Svoboda on his planned mission in 2027, nearly 50 years after Vladimír Remek's historic spaceflight. The experiment aims to achieve the world's first magnetic control of nanorobots in space. These nanorobots will also be tasked with removing persistent biofilms, which pose challenges both in space and on Earth.
Another example is the ISS T-shirt project, which focuses on developing wearable electronics to monitor astronauts' physiological condition and physical strain. Another major project is CEVROSAT II, the largest multi-satellite mission in the history of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. FEI will contribute to its scientific payload, which will investigate space weather, Earth's magnetic field and the effects of radiation on electronics. A fourth project under development is MORAVA, which will focus on measuring radiation, gamma-ray bursts and space weather in deep space.
The Faculty is also developing the ground segment of its space research infrastructure and is already receiving data from several satellites. Plans are underway to construct several parabolic antennas that will enable data reception from deep space. The processing and visualisation of collected data, along with mission control activities, will be concentrated in the planned Space Control Room, scheduled to open in early 2027 in the new CPIT TL4 building.
Representatives of the Czech Space Agency were also introduced to the Faculty's research facilities and technologies being developed in space electronics, communication systems, nanorobotics and artificial intelligence. The presentation included laboratories at the new CPIT TL4 research centre. The Faculty also showcased its work on automated vehicle control for robotaxi and shuttle service pilot projects in urban public transport, as well as remote and automated control systems for TATRA trucks, including a unique testing ground for autonomous vehicles.
In addition to specific projects, the Faculty presented its long-term vision for orbital research, the use of artificial intelligence and the processing of data from space missions. Discussions focused on current trends and strategic objectives, opportunities for further development of research capabilities, international cooperation and broader involvement of VSB – Technical University of Ostrava in Czech, European and global space activities.