Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski will connect live with people across Poland during video calls from space, linking up with four cities: Łódź and Warsaw in central Poland, Wrocław in the southwest, and Rzeszów in the southeast.
During these sessions, he will perform interactive educational demonstrations, bringing science and space exploration directly to students and the public.
Waving from Earth to space
Near the end of his mission, a special evening event is planned where groups gathered on the ground will wave to Uznański-Wiśniewski, who will respond by taking a photo from the International Space Station showing his wave in return. The exact date is yet to be confirmed.
The mission’s delayed launch coincides with the start of summer break, meaning attendance at live events may be lower. To keep the events inclusive, children from orphanages and summer camps have been invited, and all sessions will also be streamed online.
Evening ISS sightings and hands-on science kits for Polish schools
The delay also brings a silver lining: throughout July, the ISS will be clearly visible over Poland in the evening sky. Poland’s space agency, POLSA, is organizing a public event to watch the station pass overhead and wave to the astronaut in orbit.
Education plays a major role in the mission, with around 20% devoted to outreach. Special science tools - including a Newton’s cradle, a chain fountain, and soldering equipment - are onboard the ISS for demonstrations.
Meanwhile, 10,000 Polish schools will receive kits for electronics and soldering, complete with teaching support, to inspire the next generation of engineers.
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Source: PAP/PR24/POLSA