Mission IGNIS
The Ax-4 mission concluded successfully – the crew has returned to Earth
16 Jul 2025
Polska reached for the stars — and returned with valuable knowledge for future generations.
After more than two weeks of intensive work aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the Axiom‑4 mission crew returned safely to Earth, thus closing the first Polish participation in a commercial crewed space mission in history.
Return after 18 days
On Monday, 15 July 2025, the four-member Ax‑4 crew – Peggy Whitson (Axiom Space/USA), Shubhanshu Shukla (ISRO/India), Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski (ESA/Polska) and Tibor Kapu (HUNOR/Hungary) – detached from the ISS aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule "Grace". After approximately 20 hours of flight, the capsule safely splashed down off the coast of California, concluding an 18-day mission.
During their stay in orbit, the crew conducted a record number of scientific and technological experiments, advancing knowledge on the effect of microgravity on humans, materials, and biology, while also testing solutions that may be crucial for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Polish Achievements – IGNIS Mission
The Ax-4 mission was exceptional for Poland due to the national component – the IGNIS mission, where the ambassador and performer on board the ISS was Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski.
As part of IGNIS, 100% of the 13 planned scientific and technological experiments were successfully completed, prepared by Polish universities, research institutes, and companies in collaboration with ESA, POLSA, and the Ministry of Development and Technology.
The Polish experiments concerned, among others:
the impact of microgravity on astronauts' mental health (AstroMentalHealth, EEG Neurofeedback),
studies on the immune system, gut microbiome, and drug stability,
new technologies such as brain-computer interface, MXene nanomaterials, or acoustic sensors,
green solutions, such as microalgae and yeast for future long-term missions.
What's next?
After returning to Earth, the next stage of the mission began – the analysis of collected data and samples. The results of the Polish experiments will be developed by teams of scientists and have the potential to be applied in subsequent space missions, as well as in medicine, industry, or environmental protection on Earth.
The crew is currently undergoing standard medical quarantine and examinations. Soon, the mission members will meet with the media and community to summarise their experiences and share impressions from their time in orbit.
Read more
The Ax-4 mission concluded successfully – the crew has returned to Earth
Read more
The Ax-4 mission concluded successfully – the crew has returned to Earth
Read more
The Ax-4 mission concluded successfully – the crew has returned to Earth
Read more
Farewell ceremony of the Ax‑4 crew on the ISS – watch live!
Read more
Farewell ceremony of the Ax‑4 crew on the ISS – watch live!
Read more
Farewell ceremony of the Ax‑4 crew on the ISS – watch live!
Education
We educate, inspire, and discover
Our mission is to inspire and educate – we believe that the future begins with knowledge. We create an educational space for those who aspire to reach higher.
Education
We educate, inspire, and discover
Our mission is to inspire and educate – we believe that the future begins with knowledge. We create an educational space for those who aspire to reach higher.
Education
We educate, inspire, and discover
Our mission is to inspire and educate – we believe that the future begins with knowledge. We create an educational space for those who aspire to reach higher.
Mission IGNIS
The Ax-4 mission concluded successfully – the crew has returned to Earth
16 Jul 2025
Polska reached for the stars — and returned with valuable knowledge for future generations.
After more than two weeks of intensive work aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the Axiom‑4 mission crew returned safely to Earth, thus closing the first Polish participation in a commercial crewed space mission in history.
Return after 18 days
On Monday, 15 July 2025, the four-member Ax‑4 crew – Peggy Whitson (Axiom Space/USA), Shubhanshu Shukla (ISRO/India), Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski (ESA/Polska) and Tibor Kapu (HUNOR/Hungary) – detached from the ISS aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule "Grace". After approximately 20 hours of flight, the capsule safely splashed down off the coast of California, concluding an 18-day mission.
During their stay in orbit, the crew conducted a record number of scientific and technological experiments, advancing knowledge on the effect of microgravity on humans, materials, and biology, while also testing solutions that may be crucial for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Polish Achievements – IGNIS Mission
The Ax-4 mission was exceptional for Poland due to the national component – the IGNIS mission, where the ambassador and performer on board the ISS was Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski.
As part of IGNIS, 100% of the 13 planned scientific and technological experiments were successfully completed, prepared by Polish universities, research institutes, and companies in collaboration with ESA, POLSA, and the Ministry of Development and Technology.
The Polish experiments concerned, among others:
the impact of microgravity on astronauts' mental health (AstroMentalHealth, EEG Neurofeedback),
studies on the immune system, gut microbiome, and drug stability,
new technologies such as brain-computer interface, MXene nanomaterials, or acoustic sensors,
green solutions, such as microalgae and yeast for future long-term missions.
What's next?
After returning to Earth, the next stage of the mission began – the analysis of collected data and samples. The results of the Polish experiments will be developed by teams of scientists and have the potential to be applied in subsequent space missions, as well as in medicine, industry, or environmental protection on Earth.
The crew is currently undergoing standard medical quarantine and examinations. Soon, the mission members will meet with the media and community to summarise their experiences and share impressions from their time in orbit.
Read more
The Ax-4 mission concluded successfully – the crew has returned to Earth
Read more
The Ax-4 mission concluded successfully – the crew has returned to Earth
Read more
The Ax-4 mission concluded successfully – the crew has returned to Earth
Read more
Farewell ceremony of the Ax‑4 crew on the ISS – watch live!
Read more
Farewell ceremony of the Ax‑4 crew on the ISS – watch live!
Read more
Farewell ceremony of the Ax‑4 crew on the ISS – watch live!
Education
We educate, inspire, and discover
Our mission is to inspire and educate – we believe that the future begins with knowledge. We create an educational space for those who aspire to reach higher.
Education
We educate, inspire, and discover
Our mission is to inspire and educate – we believe that the future begins with knowledge. We create an educational space for those who aspire to reach higher.
Education
We educate, inspire, and discover
Our mission is to inspire and educate – we believe that the future begins with knowledge. We create an educational space for those who aspire to reach higher.