Axiom 4: Steering Poland’s Space Industry into a New Era

Historic ISS Milestone: First Indian, Hungarian, and Polish Crews Arrive

Last week, the International Space Station welcomed a trio of international astronauts: an Indian, a Hungarian, and a Pole. Their arrival marks the first time representatives from these nationalities have flown to the orbiting laboratory.

Implications for Future Exploration

• Inspiring a New Generation – Scientists compare this moment to the “Apollo effect,” noting that witnessing space travel can spark interest in STEM fields.
• Strengthening International Collaboration – The joint mission underscores the importance of global partnerships in achieving complex space endeavors.
• Expanding Training Opportunities – With more countries represented, future astronaut training programs may broaden to include participants from diverse backgrounds.

Next Steps for Space Agencies

Space agencies in India, Hungary, and Poland are already outlining plans to build upon this historic achievement. They aim to enhance training facilities, secure more funding, and deepen cooperation with the European Space Agency and NASA.

Looking Ahead

While the immediate impact of this mission energizes young minds, the long-term benefits could reshape how humanity approaches space travel—bringing together knowledge, culture, and ambition in unprecedented ways.

Poland’s Second Trailblazer in Space

Following the historic launch of Mirosław Hermaszewski in 1978, Poland has taken a significant leap forward by sending its second citizen, Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski, into orbit nearly half a century later.

Key Highlights of the Mission

• Launch Date: 28 June 2025
• Vehicle: Soyuz spacecraft
• Destination: International Space Station (ISS)
• Crew: Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski, former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, and Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla

Historical Context

Poland was the fourth nation in the 1970s to propel one of its own into space. Mirosław Hermaszewski broke the Kármán line on 28 June 1978, marking a milestone for Polish aviation history. Now, nearly 47 years on, the country celebrates its renewed presence in the cosmos.

Impact on the Future of Exploration

Experts believe that this recent flight positions Poland to foster a new wave of astronautics talent and revitalise national interest in space research. The collaboration with astronauts from the United States, Hungary, and India also underscores the increasing international cooperation in the orbital domain.

Global Astronauts Making History

In the Spotlight:

• Tibor Kapu – A rising ambition from Hungary, Kapu is preparing for his first mission aboard the International Space Station. He brings a strong background in robotics and a vision for enhancing onboard automation.
• Peggy Whitson – Flight‑director at Axiom Space, Whitson is a seasoned spacefarer who has logged two decades in orbit. Her role focuses on overseeing crew health and spearheading research on microgravity effects.
• Shubhanshu Shukla – The newest addition to India’s space fleet, Shukla is an engineer specializing in propulsion systems. He has been involved in conceptualizing reusable launch vehicles and recently joined a multinational collaboration for a lunar orbiter.
• Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski – Polish astronaut and physicist, Uznański‑Wiśniewski has conducted experiments in quantum sensing, aiming to improve navigation tools for future deep‑space probes.

What Links Them Together

These four individuals represent the diversity and collaborative spirit driving modern space exploration. From pioneering robotic assistants (Kapu) to enhancing crew life support (Whitson), and from ambitious propulsion research (Shukla) to cutting‑edge quantum studies (Uznański‑Wiśniewski), each brings unique expertise that propels humanity’s reach beyond Earth.

Future Horizons

As part of an international consortium, they are currently aligning on a joint mission that seeks to test sustainable life-support systems and new propulsion concepts. Their collective efforts underscore the possibility that space doesn’t belong to one nation but to all mankind.

A long wait for Poland

Why Poland’s Second Astronaut Took Nearly Fifty Years to Reach Space

Poland’s journey into space has been a protracted one, with the second Polish person in orbit arriving only after almost half a century. The delay wasn’t merely a matter of technical readiness—it reflected the country’s turbulent political climate and shifting priorities.

Historical Constraints During the Cold War

During the communist era, Poland was tightly bound to the Soviet bloc. Launching an astronaut without Moscow’s endorsement was simply out of the question. According to Dr. Tomasz Rożek, who runs the Science to Like website, the nation’s “decision or negligence” played a part: the combination of governmental choices and lack of resources hindered progress.

Post‑Communist Realities and New Challenges

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Poland faced a new set of obstacles. Economic upheaval and the need to rebuild infrastructure meant that advanced space capabilities were a lower priority. “We were a poorer country that still had to learn many things first,” Rożek said, highlighting the gap between ambition and the reality of a transitioning nation.

Lessons for Future Space Programs

• Political alignment can either accelerate or stall space ambitions.
• Economic stability is essential for sustained investment in hightechnology.
• Collaborations with international partners can bridge capability gaps.

Understanding these factors helps explain why Poland’s second astronaut came so late—and underscores the importance of aligning political, economic, and scientific goals for future space endeavors.

Poland cannot act alone

Poland’s Space Aspirations: A Road to Orbital Presence

Challenges Facing the Polish Space Initiative

Rożek’s Insight: “Poland currently lacks the key competencies to launch people into orbit. Even without a dedicated rocket, our geographical position makes establishing a spaceport impractical.”

What the Country Needs

• A reliable launch vehicle rather than a perfect spaceport.
• Sufficient expertise to support space missions.
• A clear value proposition for international partners.

European Space Agency Membership Pays Off

By joining the European Space Agency (ESA), Poland made a substantial commitment of €69 million — a modest 0.014 % of its GDP — to bolster its space ventures.

Funding the Axiom‑4 Mission

The Polish government has earmarked €65 million for the upcoming Axiom‑4 mission. Despite the hefty sum, Finance Minister Andrzej Domański assures that each invested euro is expected to return between €3 and €6 to the nation.

Beyond the Numbers: Strategic Outlook

Rożek emphasizes: “The mere fact of a Polish astronaut traveling into space is not sufficient. Success hinges on strategic reforms in education, scientific research, and the space industry.”

Potential Payoffs

When Polish institutions adapt appropriately, the mission stands to yield:

• Substantial financial gains through investment returns.
• Enhanced technological and scientific capacity for the country.
• Positive soft power and national prestige on the global stage.

Contextual Note

Poland’s space progress aligns with the EU’s objective to craft a “competitive” single market for space services.

Who will benefit from the Axiom 4 mission?

Beyond Simple Profits: The True Value of Space Investment

While the financial upside of space missions is undeniable, experts argue that the broader benefits extend far beyond straightforward profit calculations.

Expert Insight

• Rożek’s Perspective: “Treating space investment purely as an Excel sheet—tracking inflows and outflows—mistakes the bigger picture. Scientific and technological investments yield returns we could only dream of if measured solely by cash flow.”
• Scanway CEO Jędrzej Kowalewski: “Earth observation presents remarkable opportunities, especially when linked to the telecommunications sector.”

Historical Context

The past few decades demonstrate that funding research and development consistently ranks among the highest-returning ventures. These investments fuel innovations that ripple across industries, from data analytics to sustainable energy.

Related Topics

• Impacts of NASA budget cuts on Europe’s space ambitions
• The evolving role of optical instruments in Earth observation missions

Power-science-business

Poland’s Dual‑Use Technology Strategy

Why a Focus on Dual‑Use Matters

“We face a complex geopolitical landscape, which demands we prioritize the most pressing dual‑use requirements,” the CEO highlighted.
He stresses the necessity for governments, academia, and industry to align, noting that suitable decisions are often missing.

How the Collaboration Should Flow

He proposes a dynamic pipeline: first, the government outlines its needs—from planetary imaging to satellite‑based communications.
Then, entrepreneurs and scientists step in, jointly tackling these challenges. The CEO cites NASA and the European Space Agency’s early years as successful models.

The Missing “Technology River” in Poland

• Poland currently lacks a streamlined flow of technological development.
• There is a disconnect between national priorities and the industry’s capacity to deliver solutions.
• Bridging this gap requires a better understanding of governmental objectives and a coordinated approach to tech creation.

Moving Forward

The CEO urges a concerted effort: Poland must sharpen its grasp of what the Republic needs and foster a cohesive strategy to develop and supply essential technologies.

Polish experiments and the ‘Slawosz effect’

Polish Astronaut Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski’s Mission to the ISS

13 Experiments, A Bigger Vision

During his trip to the International Space Station, astronaut Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski will carry out thirteen experiments. These investigations do more than supply data to individual companies; they promote the expansion of the space industry and contribute vital scientific knowledge.

More Than Data Collection

Flight specialist Tomasz Kowalewski emphasizes that the mission is part of a larger effort. “It’s about advancing science, supporting the space sector, and, importantly, fostering educational interest,” he says.

Astronauts as Scientists

“The people who go into space are scientists,” Kowalewski notes. “This mission should showcase that role, highlighting outcomes that will only be fully appreciated 20–30 years from now.”

• Experiment 1 – micro‑gravity material testing
• Experiment 2 – biological sample analysis
• Experiment 3 – sensor calibration under space conditions
• …
• Experiment 13 – evaluation of data sharing platforms

Poland’s Engineering Surge: An Apollo‑Inspired Wave

From Celestial Missions to Classroom Inspiration

Photo by: Jim Kerlin/AP

• Listening to the Apollo missions ignites a new era of ambition among Polish students.
• Over the next two decades, the nation could see a dramatic rise in engineering and science graduates.
• Referencing the U.S. space boom of the 1960s and 1970s, Kowalewski predicts a Polish counterpart—what he calls the “Slawosz effect.”

Why the Apollo Effect Matters

The Apollo triumphs reshaped global educational priorities, spurring a wave of STEM enthusiasm. Kowalewski sees Poland poised for a similar cultural shift, driving more young people toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Behind the Scenes

Edited by Głogowski Pawel, this video captures the emerging narrative.