Flying aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule as part of the private Axiom-4 mission, Uznański-Wiśniewski is scheduled to dock with the orbiting lab on Thursday at around 13:00 CET. The launch, delayed several times, was followed closely back home.
Nationwide countdown
From school classrooms to a youth gathering at the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw - where Prime Minister Donald Tusk watched the livestream - excitement swept across the country.
Children joined countdowns, teachers paused lessons, and “We have lift-off!” echoed in both English and Polish.
A diplomatic gesture - in Polish
In a show of transatlantic camaraderie, the US Embassy in Warsaw released a 90-second video message congratulating both Uznański-Wiśniewski and his crewmate, veteran American astronaut Peggy Whitson.
Spoken entirely in Polish, the clip features diplomats navigating tricky pronunciations with enthusiasm. “Sławosz, don’t forget the pierogi!” one smiles, followed by a heartfelt “Trzymamy kciuki!” - the Polish way of saying “We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”
“Together we are stronger - even in space,” they add.
Pierogi in orbit
Uznański-Wiśniewski took a taste of home with him: freeze-dried, cabbage-filled pierogi.
Prepared specially for the mission by renowned chef Mateusz Gessler, who grew up in France and is known for blending culinary traditions.
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Source: X/@USEmbassyWarsaw