The launch of Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski’s journey to the International Space Station (ISS) has once again been pushed back, following the detection of a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak in the Falcon 9 rocket. The mission was set to lift off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, as part of the Axiom-4 commercial spaceflight.
SpaceX, the aerospace company operating the mission, confirmed the delay citing technical issues uncovered during post-test inspections.
“Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the Space Station to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections,” the company announced via social media.
This marks the fourth delay for the mission. Initially scheduled for May 29, the most recent target had been set for Wednesday afternoon Central European Time. The new launch window will be determined once repairs are finalized and range conditions are confirmed.
“Once complete – and pending Range availability – we will share a new launch date,” the latest statement announced.
Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, a 41-year-old scientist and expert in radiation-hardened electronics, is set to become only the second Pole in history to reach space - following General Mirosław Hermaszewski’s landmark flight aboard a Soviet Soyuz in 1978.
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The mission is part of Poland’s broader investment in its national space sector, with €65 million allocated to support Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski’s participation and to enhance the country’s involvement in international space initiatives.
Astronaut’s wife balances space launch with parliamentary duties
Aleksandra Wiśniewska-Uznańska, the astronaut’s wife and a sitting Member of Parliament with the Civic Coalition, publicly responded to the delay on X (formerly Twitter). She reassured voters that the postponement would not affect her participation in a key parliamentary vote of confidence for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government.
“If the launch is moved to Thursday, I’ll do everything I can - racing against time - to be at NASA on-site in line with family procedures before my husband boards the rocket,” she posted. “Wish Poland and us luck.”
Though the new date remains uncertain, the mission is closely watched by spaceflight enthusiasts and Polish citizens alike, as their country prepares to return to human spaceflight after nearly five decades.
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Source: IAR/PAP/X/@SpaceX/@astro_slawosz/@AK_Wisniewska/@esaspaceflight