The Czech Journey into Space has arrived at FAV. The exhibition maps the Czech space exploration

Visitors will learn about the history, Czech achievements, and future ambitions in space exploration through 26 posters. The exhibition showcases space research activities of experts from the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. Open October 27—November 28.

The traveling exhibition Czech Journey into Space has arrived in Pilsen after Brno and Prague. In the entrance hall of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of West Bohemia, visitors can view posters presenting the history of Czech space exploration. The Pilsen exhibition also includes a presentation of the research activities of experts from the Department of Geomatics and the Department of Cybernetics at the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

The exhibition maps the Czech contribution to space research from the first theoretical considerations and experiments in the first half of the 20th century to the upcoming mission of Aleš Svoboda, who is preparing to fly to the International Space Station. He could embark on his space mission as early as 2027 aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, which will be launched by a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This will be the biggest milestone for space exploration since the establishment of the independent Czech Republic. It is expected to significantly advance current knowledge in the fields of science and industry and, above all, inspire future generations to take an interest in science and technology.

The exhibition opening took place on October 24 in the presence of Miloš Železný, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of West Bohemia, Jan Herzig, Director of the Consider Science! organization, and Anna Krebsová, Ambassador of the Czech Space Program. The exhibition at FAV was made possible with the support of Zvaž vědu! and ESERO Czech Republic, as part of Czech Space Week, the country's largest festival focused on space activities.

"This unique exhibition, which highlights the growing importance of space for Czech science and research, was originally launched on the occasion of the first Consider Science! event in Prague. I am very pleased that we have now managed to bring it to the birthplace of the Consider Science! project – the Faculty of Applied Sciences in Pilsen. For two years now, we have been trying to popularize science and technology among students, and a whole range of other activities has gradually been added to the original major event, which will take place this year on November 28. The realization of this exhibition, which will bring Czech space closer to Pilsen, is a great example of this," said Jan Herzig.

The dean of the faculty also welcomes the exhibition: "I am glad that we can host such an interesting exhibition at FAV. The topic of space exploration and the technology required for it is very interesting to us. I am glad that we can also show our faculty's contribution on two panels - examples of projects in the field of space technology in which people from FAV are directly involved."

The exhibition Czech Journey into Space was created under the leadership of the Brno Observatory and Planetarium in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport. Its implementation at FAV was supported by the organization Zvaž vědu! (Consider Science!) and the educational office ESERO Czech Republic. The opening was part of Czech Space Week, the largest Czech festival focused on space activities.