Around 12:30 pm Polish time on Thursday, the crew of the Axiom-4 mission - including Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski - is expected to arrive at the International Space Station (ISS), nearly half an hour earlier than initially scheduled, according to the Polish Space Agency (POLSA).
In the first live message addressed specifically to the people of Poland from aboard the Dragon capsule, Uznański-Wiśniewski spoke directly to his fellow citizens:
“Dear Polish women and men, I’m speaking to you from low Earth orbit. We are onboard the Grace capsule. With us is our Zero-G indicator, a mascot named Joy,” he said, smiling as the small plush figure floated gently beside him - a symbolic fifth crew member.
The moment marked a historic milestone: the first-ever live broadcast from a Polish astronaut in orbit, dedicated to the Polish public.
‘We’re flying for all 40 million Poles’: astronaut’s first message from space
Uznański-Wiśniewski emphasized that the entire Ax-4 crew represents all 40 million Poles and that their presence in space is not only a scientific endeavor, but a national mission to secure Poland’s technological future.
“We’re not here just for ourselves,” he said. “We’re here for the entire space sector, and for the new generation of engineers who will soon be entering the field.” He added that the mission is both a symbol of Poland’s growing technological ambition and an opportunity to showcase the achievements of Polish scientists on a global platform.
As part of the mission, the astronaut confirmed that there will be educational sessions from space aimed at students and pupils back on Earth. He expressed hope that some of them may be inspired to follow in his footsteps - perhaps to scientific institutions like CERN, one of the world’s leading research centres, where Uznański-Wiśniewski himself has worked.
“I’m taking your hearts and hopes with me,” he said in closing. “And I feel that all of you are here with me. Sending you warm greetings - see you soon from the space station.”
Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski once again stressed that he views himself not just as an astronaut, but as a representative of the entire Polish nation.
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Source: Radio Poland/X/@astro_slawosz/@SpaceX/@POLSA_GOV_PL