Prime Minister on Uznański-Wiśniewski’s Success: “Dare to Dream”

The Ax-4 mission with the participation of Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski began on June 25, 2025, and concluded on July 15 at 11:31 a.m. Polish time.

“Your mission could easily have the motto: dare to dream. (…) Perhaps the greatest and most strategic national interest tied to your launch and return is that so many young people will believe in themselves, and in the fact that there are no limits—if only one truly dares to dream. And if one is consistent and always moves forward,” said Prime Minister Tusk after meeting the astronaut.

The astronaut conducted 13 experiments and connected live with Poland six times. He spent 105 hours on scientific, technological, educational, and medical activities. It was the largest presentation to date of Polish research solutions in outer space.

“I feel this is just the beginning. Just as General Hermaszewski’s flight was once a great symbol, today we are in a different place. We now have a developing private space market, as well as institutional and academic potential in Poland that we must stimulate with such missions. I hope that in synergy we will build our technological and scientific future, alongside the inspiration, exploration, and innovation we already have here in Poland, with enormous talent,” said Dr. Uznański-Wiśniewski.

Accelerating the commercialization of national space technologies—such as medical and biological tests in zero gravity, integrating Polish products into global supply chains, and building unique competencies in the space sector—are just some of the benefits of research conducted on the ISS.

Efforts to Establish an ESA Center in Poland

Poland can and should capitalize on this spectacular success through strategic actions that will yield long-term benefits for the country and build a system where national security, Polish business, science, and technology all stand to gain.

Prime Minister Tusk said that Poland’s ambition is for ESA to create in Poland a center dedicated to dual-use technologies. Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański and the head of the Polish Space Agency Marta Wachowicz are leading the negotiations. Tusk reported that ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher met today with Minister Domański.

“We are launching Poland’s bid—as a major Central European country—for a European Space Agency center. This is the measure of our ambition. It is a bold and important step, because since 2012 Poland has been an ESA member. Now is the time for Europe to also look at us technologically. A center dedicated to dual-use technologies in Poland would be the answer that Polish entrepreneurs and scientists are waiting for, as a consequence and a new chapter after Dr. Uznański-Wiśniewski’s mission,” said Marta Ewa Wachowicz, President of the Polish Space Agency.

Poland is already among the top European investors in space technologies, ranking 7th in Europe. For 2023–2025, Poland committed over 2 billion PLN through ESA.

Security in Space, Security in the Region

The Polish government takes seriously the potential of the space sector—not only for innovation and the economy, but also for military use. Modern warfare and Ukraine’s experience confirm the necessity of investment in space.

“There is no way for Europe and Poland to feel safe without gaining a proper and strong, dominant position in space. The war unfolding so close to us shows that those who lag behind technologically stand no chance,” emphasized Prime Minister Tusk.

He also highlighted that security in the Baltic Sea region is becoming an increasingly serious challenge, noting that regional states are watching Poland’s growing role in safeguarding this strategic area with great interest and enthusiasm.

“Scandinavians and the Baltic states alike are very excited about Poland’s role and mission in protecting the Baltic—which is practically NATO’s inland sea. I will soon invite leaders of Baltic Sea states so that we can also discuss this dimension,” announced the Prime Minister.

He further underlined that Poland—as chair of the Council of the Baltic Sea States—has a strong position and achievements in the space sector, and can play a key role in ensuring stability in the region.