Aleš Svoboda, the first Czech astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), described his recent training on the F-35 fighter jet as “a return to school,” according to a report by iDNES.cz. The 51-year-old engineer and former pilot, set to depart for the ISS in late 2026, emphasized that the rigorous flight simulations and high-G maneuvers on the F-35 were designed to sharpen his reflexes and decision-making under extreme conditions—a stark contrast to the microgravity environment he will soon experience.
Svoboda’s mission, part of a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Czech Space Agency (CZSA), includes testing nanorobotics in zero gravity, a project he called “a leap for Czech innovation.” The training, conducted at the Czech Air Force’s 111st Squadron, involved 120 hours of F-35 flight simulations, according to a CZSA spokesperson. “The F-35’s advanced avionics and rapid response systems mirror the precision required for spacewalks and equipment maintenance on the ISS,” said Svoboda during a press conference in Prague.
“The F-35’s integration into astronaut training is a relatively new approach, but it underscores the growing overlap between military aviation and space exploration,” said Dr. Elena Martínez, a aerospace engineer at the University of Madrid. “The aircraft’s ability to simulate high-altitude, high-speed scenarios provides a unique physiological stress test that traditional flight simulators cannot replicate.” Martínez, who has advised the ESA on pilot-astronaut training protocols, noted that similar programs have been adopted by NASA and the Russian space agency.
The Czech Republic’s space ambitions have accelerated in recent years, with Svoboda’s mission marking the country’s third crewed spaceflight. Prior to this, Czech cosmonauts Vladimír Remek (1978) and Petr Klepáč (2010) participated in Soviet and Russian missions, respectively. Svoboda’s journey, however, is distinct: it is the first to be fully funded and managed by the CZSA, with a budget of €120 million. The mission’s focus on nanorobotics—a field where Czech researchers have made significant strides—highlights the nation’s push to diversify its technological footprint beyond traditional aerospace sectors.
“The nanorobotics experiment is designed to test autonomous repair systems in microgravity, which could revolutionize satellite maintenance and deep-space exploration,” said Dr. Jan Kovács, a physicist at the Czech Academy of Sciences. “If successful, this could reduce the need for costly, crewed repair missions and extend the lifespan of orbital infrastructure.” Kovács, who led the CZSA’s nanotechnology initiative, added that the project has already secured partnerships with private firms like Czech Aerospace Innovations and the German-based Fraunhofer Institute.
Svoboda’s training regimen also included survival drills in the Carpathian Mountains and underwater simulations at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. These exercises, he said, were “as demanding as the F-35 training, but in a different way.” The astronaut, who previously served as a test pilot for the Czech Air Force, noted that the physical and mental challenges of spaceflight require a “hybrid skill set” that bridges military discipline and scientific curiosity.
“The F-35 phase was the most physically intense,” Svoboda admitted. “You’re subjected to forces that push your body to its limits, much like the G-forces during a rocket launch. But it’s also a mental exercise—staying calm when systems are under stress.” His comments align with a 2023 study by the European Astronaut Centre, which found that pilots transitioning to space roles often benefit from high-performance aircraft training due to its emphasis on situational awareness and rapid problem-solving.
The mission’s timeline has been tightly coordinated with the ISS’s current schedule, with Svoboda set to join a six-member crew for a 140-day stay. During this period, he will conduct experiments in biotechnology, materials science, and Earth observation, in addition to the nanorobotics project. The CZSA has also announced plans
