The 14-day mission will focus on scientific experiments investigating the effects of microgravity, Earth observation, and new fuel technologies.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference held by Axiom Space and the European Space Agency (ESA) on Tuesday, highlighting the scientific goals of the Ax-4 mission.
Over 60 experiments will be carried out in orbit, contributed by countries including Poland, the United States, India, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
"We are opening the door for countries that until now have had access to space only through ISS partnerships," said Lucie Low, chief scientist at Axiom Space. "We are also enabling new nations, institutions and individuals who will drive the extraterrestrial economy."
For Poland, the mission is seen as a major opportunity to boost its scientific standing and economic interests in the rapidly growing space sector.
Poland’s participation in the Ax-4 mission is part of the national Ignis initiative, which will see 13 Polish experiments conducted aboard the ISS. These will explore areas such as medicine, biology, biotechnology, engineering and human psychology in space conditions.
Among the Polish projects is "Leopardiss," an initiative to test a processor designed to enable artificial intelligence applications aboard satellites and spacecraft.
Another study, "Space Volcanic Algae," will investigate how microalgae—potential future sources of food and oxygen—survive in space. Meanwhile, the "Neurofeedback EEG" project will explore how isolation and microgravity impact astronauts' stress levels.
"Our experiments are exceptional," said Monika Banaszek-Cymerman of the Polish Space Agency (POLSA). "They touch on biotechnology, materials science and crucial fields like human physiology and psychology. The Ignis mission opens space to all."
Banaszek-Cymerman added that Ax-4 represents a "historic moment" for Poland, which returns to human spaceflight 47 years after Mirosław Hermaszewski became the first Pole in space in 1978.
India, Hungary and other nations are also contributing major experiments to the Ax-4 mission. Indian researchers will study muscle regeneration, plant germination and the genetic activity of microalgae and cyanobacteria in space.
Hungarian experiments include investigations into the human microbiome, advanced propulsion materials and microfluidic chips for drug testing in orbit.
The ESA’s Angelique Van Ombergen explained that protecting astronaut health remains a key priority. The agency’s long-term strategy, "Explore 2040," aims to extend research beyond low Earth orbit to the Moon—and eventually Mars.
Several experiments will focus on medical innovations, such as researching treatments for insulin-dependent diabetes under microgravity conditions, a disease that has so far disqualified individuals from space travel.
Researchers will also test a promising anti-cancer drug on patient-derived cells to see whether it performs effectively across a range of cancers in the space environment.
Uznański-Wiśniewski, who was selected through cooperation between Poland’s Ministry of Development and Technology and the ESA, will serve as a mission specialist.
The rest of the Ax-4 crew includes American commander Peggy Whitson, Indian pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Hungarian specialist Tibor Kapu.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR/PAP