On June 25, 2025, the Ax-4 space mission, carrying Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, was launched into orbit toward the International Space Station (ISS). The mission departed from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket delivered the Dragon capsule with its four-person crew into orbit. The spacecraft is en route to the ISS and is scheduled to arrive on Thursday.
Source: x.com/esa
“This is our mission in the spirit of science, in the spirit of peace, and in the spirit of humility,” said mission commander Peggy Whitson.
“Dear Poles, today we are taking a huge step toward the technological future of Poland—a Poland built on science, knowledge, and vision. May this mission mark the beginning of an era in which our courage and tenacity shape a modern Poland for ourselves and for future generations,” said Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from aboard the Dragon capsule.
“Space has always united people. Today, I am taking a piece of each of you—your strength, your hope, your trust—with me from Earth. I am not alone in space; I represent all of us. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your trust. Space for everyone. Space for everyone,” added Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from aboard the Dragon capsule, shortly after reaching orbit.
As part of the Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the following individuals flew alongside the Polish astronaut: experienced former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson (commander) from the US, pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India, and science specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski is the second Polish person to travel to space and the first to visit the International Space Station (ISS). The first Pole in space was Mirosław Hermaszewski (1941–2022), who, along with Piotr Klimuk—a Soviet cosmonaut of Belarusian nationality—flew aboard the Soyuz 30 spacecraft from June 27 to July 5, 1978. During their eight-day mission, they completed 126 orbits of the Earth.
This mission marks the fourth commercial crewed expedition organized by the American company Axiom Space. The participation of the Polish astronaut results from an agreement between Poland’s Ministry of Development and Technology and the European Space Agency to prepare and carry out the Polish IGNIS technological and scientific mission on the ISS. The Polish Space Agency (POLSA) also plays a key role in these preparations as the executive agency of the Ministry of Development and Technology.
