ESA project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski has officially begun his first space mission, entering the International Space Station on 26 June 2025. He is pictured here among the now 11-member crew on board the Station, representing six different countries, shortly after the arrival of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).
Floating in microgravity and surrounded by fellow astronauts from around the world, Sławosz marks a milestone not only in his own career but also in Poland’s growing presence in human spaceflight.
He arrived aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft Grace, launched on 25 June at 07:31 BST (08:31 CEST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. After approximately 28 hours orbiting Earth, the spacecraft docked with the Station, where Sławosz and his Ax-4 crewmates — Peggy Whitson (USA), Shubhanshu Shukla (India) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary) — were warmly welcomed by the Expedition 73 resident crew.
During the welcome ceremony, Sławosz was officially recognised as the 635th human to orbit Earth, receiving an astronaut pin from Commander Peggy Whitson. With his first microgravity steps aboard the Station, he became the second ESA project astronaut to reach orbit as part of a commercial spaceflight mission.
The ESA part of the mission, Ignis — named after the Latin word for “fire” — reflects the passion and ambition behind Poland’s first government-sponsored human spaceflight. Over the next two weeks, Sławosz will carry out 13 experiments proposed by Polish institutions in collaboration with ESA, along with three additional ESA-led investigations. These studies span human physiology, biotechnology, materials science and space technology, all aimed at advancing our understanding of life in space and delivering benefits back on Earth.
Now aboard the Space Station, Sławosz is settling into his new environment. His sleeping quarters are in the Columbus module, Europe’s laboratory in space. Alongside his Ax-4 crewmates, he is adjusting to microgravity with the help of the Expedition 73 crew and preparing for a packed schedule of research and outreach.
The start of Ignis marks a proud moment for Poland and a significant step forward in Europe’s role in commercial and scientific space exploration.