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.
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!
Read more
14 July: watch the live return of the Ax‑4 mission on our website!
Read more
14 July: watch the live return of the Ax‑4 mission on our website!
Read more
14 July: watch the live return of the Ax‑4 mission on our website!
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
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.
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!
Read more
14 July: watch the live return of the Ax‑4 mission on our website!
Read more
14 July: watch the live return of the Ax‑4 mission on our website!
Read more
14 July: watch the live return of the Ax‑4 mission on our website!
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.