Pranav Hotkar
Budapest, October 3, 2025- Hungary's 4iG Group has entered into a preliminary agreement with U.S.-based Axiom Space to develop Europe's first orbital data center (ODC). The collaboration includes a potential USD 100 million investment in Axiom Space and a separate USD 100 million initiative to establish the ODC, marking a significant step in Hungary's space industry ambitions.
The agreement, signed by 4iG Space and Defence Technologies (4iG SDT), positions Hungary as a key player in the global space sector. The ODC project aims to create a next-generation data hub capable of processing and storing vast amounts of data generated in space, reducing the volume of information requiring downlink to Earth and enhancing the efficiency of data management. The initiative is part of a five-year framework subject to financial, legal, and technical due diligence, as well as regulatory approvals.
According to István Sárhegyi, CEO of 4iG SDT, the agreement represents a milestone in U.S.–Hungarian relations, creating a unique opportunity for a Hungarian company to become a strategic investor in a U.S. space enterprise. He emphasized that the collaboration enhances both economic and technological cooperation between the two countries, while granting international recognition to Hungary's space industry and its research and development capabilities.
The partnership builds upon previous engagements between 4iG and Axiom Space, including Hungary's participation in the HUNOR astronaut program, which successfully sent Tibor Kapu, Hungary's second astronaut, to the International Space Station in 2025. This collaboration underscores Hungary's commitment to advancing its capabilities in space exploration and technology.
