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After completing his mission on the International Space Station (ISS), Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, Polish astronaut and Poland’s representative on the Axiom-4 mission crew, returned to Poland today. Landing at Warsaw Chopin Airport took place at 11:13 a.m. More than a week after splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, the Polish astronaut has set foot on home soil again.
Before reaching the civilian section of the airport, Dr. Uznański-Wiśniewski was greeted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz at the military terminal. Moments later, an official welcome took place in the arrivals hall at Chopin Airport, attended by representatives of institutions, the media, and numerous fans.
The ceremony was opened by Dr. Marta Wachowicz, President of the Polish Space Agency (POLSA), who in her speech welcomed Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski to the country and emphasized that his participation in the space mission is a symbolic beginning of a new chapter for the Polish space sector.
“We count on you to be an ambassador for our technologies and an inspiration for the young generation,” she noted.
Among the guests of honour was Dr. Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), who expressed his appreciation for Poland’s involvement in the mission and emphasized our country’s increasingly stronger position within European space projects.
The main and most important hero of the event was, of course, Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, who spoke with emotion about his mission:
“Every day I wore the white and red flag on my shoulder was an honor and a motivation. I felt like I was representing millions of Poles. It was an incredible responsibility, but also a sense of pride. This is just the beginning.”
The astronaut also thanked the Ministry of Development and Technology, POLSA, ESA, NASA and Axiom Space, noting that about 500 people were involved in the mission.
Following the brief presentations, a short press conference was held during which journalists had the opportunity to talk and ask Sławosz a few questions. They asked questions about both the technical aspects of the mission and the astronaut’s personal experiences. They also asked about the experiments conducted aboard the ISS, as well as his professional plans for the coming months.
During the meeting, children in the audience also asked several questions. They included questions about when the astronaut planned his next space flight, whether he had trouble walking after returning from space, and whether breathing on the ISS is the same as on Earth. Sławosz responded with a smile and kindness, and his comments were met with a warm reception and thunderous applause.
At the end of the event, a short “fan moment” was organized, during which fans could take a photo with the astronaut and get an autograph.
In the coming days, Dr. Uznański-Wiśniewski will remain in Poland, where he said he wants to see his family and loved ones. He will then travel to the United States to continue the formalities related to the completion of the Axiom-4 mission.
Read more: plinspace.pl
