Mission IGNIS

Ax-4 mission launch: the Polish astronaut is already in space!

25 Jun 2025

A groundbreaking moment for Polska

On 25 June 2025 at 8:31 AM Polish time, a Falcon 9 rocket was launched from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center with the Dragon Crew capsule. On board was Polish astronaut Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, who joined the international crew of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).

Mission Crew

Peggy Whitson (USA, Axiom Space) – mission commander

Shubhanshu Shukla (India, ISRO) – pilot

Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Polska, ESA) – mission specialist

Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – mission specialist

For Shukla, Uznański, and Kapu, these are their respective countries' first-ever crewed flights. This also marks a significant step for the development of Polish presence in space.


Exploration and Research on the ISS

The Ax-4 mission is scheduled for approximately two weeks. The crew will conduct over 60 scientific experiments, including 13 Polish projects selected in the POLSA competition. The experiments cover areas such as biology, medicine, and psychology, while the educational mission IGNIS is intended to provide new impetus for the advancement of science in Poland.

Technical Issues Resolved

Due to previous delays, maintenance work was carried out in the Russian Zvezda module on the ISS. As reported by Roskosmos, the leak has been fixed, and the International Space Station is ready to welcome the crew.


"This is a historic moment for all of us."

– Message from the deck

Just after reaching orbit, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski directed brief but moving words to all Poles:

"This is an extremely moving moment. I fly with you, with our values, with history, and hope for the future. Thank you for your support. Poland is in space again."

In the background, the Polish flag was visible – the same one that Mirosław Hermaszewski took into orbit in 1978.


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.

Thousands of stars and galaxies – knowledge and inspiration flowing from space

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.

Thousands of stars and galaxies – knowledge and inspiration flowing from space

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.

Thousands of stars and galaxies – knowledge and inspiration flowing from space

Leap to Space Foundation

Polska Agencja Kosmiczna

European Space Agency

Ministry of Development and Technology

Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski

Do you have an idea, question, or would like to collaborate with us? We look forward to your message!

Address

Milionowa 4B, 93-113 Łódź, Poland

KRS 0001045686

©2025 LEAP TO SPACE All Rights Reserved

The Leap to Space Foundation is an independent non-profit organization.

Leap to Space Foundation

Polish Space Agency

European Space Agency

Ministry of Development and Technology

Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski

Do you have an idea, question, or would like to collaborate with us? We look forward to your message!

Address

Milionowa 4B, 93-113 Łódź, Poland

KRS 0001045686

©2025 LEAP TO SPACE All Rights Reserved

The Leap to Space Foundation is an independent non-profit organization.

Mission IGNIS

Ax-4 mission launch: the Polish astronaut is already in space!

25 Jun 2025

A groundbreaking moment for Polska

On 25 June 2025 at 8:31 AM Polish time, a Falcon 9 rocket was launched from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center with the Dragon Crew capsule. On board was Polish astronaut Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, who joined the international crew of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).

Mission Crew

Peggy Whitson (USA, Axiom Space) – mission commander

Shubhanshu Shukla (India, ISRO) – pilot

Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Polska, ESA) – mission specialist

Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – mission specialist

For Shukla, Uznański, and Kapu, these are their respective countries' first-ever crewed flights. This also marks a significant step for the development of Polish presence in space.


Exploration and Research on the ISS

The Ax-4 mission is scheduled for approximately two weeks. The crew will conduct over 60 scientific experiments, including 13 Polish projects selected in the POLSA competition. The experiments cover areas such as biology, medicine, and psychology, while the educational mission IGNIS is intended to provide new impetus for the advancement of science in Poland.

Technical Issues Resolved

Due to previous delays, maintenance work was carried out in the Russian Zvezda module on the ISS. As reported by Roskosmos, the leak has been fixed, and the International Space Station is ready to welcome the crew.


"This is a historic moment for all of us."

– Message from the deck

Just after reaching orbit, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski directed brief but moving words to all Poles:

"This is an extremely moving moment. I fly with you, with our values, with history, and hope for the future. Thank you for your support. Poland is in space again."

In the background, the Polish flag was visible – the same one that Mirosław Hermaszewski took into orbit in 1978.


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.

Thousands of stars and galaxies – knowledge and inspiration flowing from space

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.

Thousands of stars and galaxies – knowledge and inspiration flowing from space

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.

Thousands of stars and galaxies – knowledge and inspiration flowing from space

Leap to Space Foundation

Polska Agencja Kosmiczna

European Space Agency

Ministry of Development and Technology

Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski

Do you have an idea, question, or would like to collaborate with us? We look forward to your message!

Address

Milionowa 4B, 93-113 Łódź, Poland

KRS 0001045686

©2025 LEAP TO SPACE All Rights Reserved

The Leap to Space Foundation is an independent non-profit organization.