Ignis – the name of the first Polish mission to the International Space Station

Agency

02/12/2024
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The European Space Agency (ESA), the Ministry of Development and Technology (MRiT) and the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) announced that the official name of the Polish technological and scientific mission to the International Space Station will be Ignis.

Ignis means “fire” in Latin. This is the name of the mission whose task is to ignite the Polish space sector.

This mission will be part of the Axiom 4 (Ax-4) mission, and Sławosz Uznański, selected in November 2022 as a member of the ESA reserve astronaut corps after a year-long selection process, has been assigned to its implementation. As of September 1, 2023, he is an ESA project astronaut, undergoing preparatory training in anticipation of a future space mission.

This mission is an important element of cooperation between ESA and Poland, strengthening the growing partnership in the field of commercial manned space flights under the Axiom Space mission program.

Project astronaut Sławosz Uznański will serve as a mission specialist under the command of Peggy Whitson – director of manned flights at Axiom Space and former NASA astronaut. He will be the second Pole in space, and the first to fly to the International Space Station. The crew also includes pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India and mission specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

While awaiting final approval of the mission by the international committee responsible for the International Space Station, the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP), the Ax-4 crew is undergoing demanding training at facilities around the world. Training takes place at ESA's European Astronaut Center in Germany, as well as at facilities operated by Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX in the United States, and JAXA in Japan, and is designed to equip crews with the skills and knowledge needed for the mission. The crew will be transported to the International Space Station by a Falcon 9 rocket and a crewed Dragon capsule from SpaceX.

During the 14-day mission, the crew will conduct research in microgravity conditions and engage in educational activities. Ignis represents a significant step forward for Poland's space ambitions, highlighting Poland's growing contribution to space exploration.

We are celebrating the first Polish technological and scientific mission to the International Space Station. It is the best example of Poland's dynamic development in the field of space technologies and its growing role as a trusted partner of ESA. This mission is an example of international cooperation and ESA's commitment to the development of advanced technologies through commercial access to space. Together, we prepare for a future beyond low Earth orbit, highlighting Poland's capabilities and the power of our shared ambitions. I would like to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Development and Technology for the trust shown in ESA. – says ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.

The central motif of the mission patch is a white and red eagle, which is a clear reference to the Polish emblem and national colors. The eagle's spread wings create the contours of the Tatra Mountains, and more precisely – Orla Perć. The shape of the eagle's tail resembles a flame. In the mission name – Ignis – the second letter “i” takes the form of the International Space Station. Above, the stars form the constellation Sobieski's Shield. It is a tribute both to Polish tradition and to the great astronomer from Gdańsk, Jan Hevelius (1611–1687). The silver line at the top of the patch symbolizes the horizon – the dawn of a new era in space exploration.

The Polish mission is a technological and scientific undertaking that will bring benefits not only for our country, but also for the international community. Thanks to the involvement of Polish companies and scientific institutions, experiments will be carried out that will influence the development of medicine, biology, engineering and space technologies. It is worth mentioning research on the human microbiome, tests of new materials and projects in the field of artificial intelligence. This is a great opportunity for the Polish space sector to build unique competences and accelerate the commercialization of space technologies. – says the Minister of Development and Technology Krzysztof Paszyk.

Naming the mission Ignis symbolizes the spark of innovation and Poland's ambitious contribution to space exploration. The partnership between ESA, Poland and Axiom Space represents a significant milestone for commercial spaceflight, enabling a second mission with an ESA design astronaut and underscoring Europe's readiness for advanced space exploration, strengthening its role in shaping the future of space technology, says Daniel Neuenschwander, director of the Human and Robotic Exploration ESA.

The Ignis mission is a breakthrough event not only for our space sector. Thirteen Polish experiments in the field of technology, biology, medicine and psychology, prepared by Polish scientists and engineers – will open new opportunities for Polish research and, in the long run, will increase Poland's competitiveness in the international arena. Polish ESA project astronaut Dr. Sławosz Uznański will be the second Pole in space and thus the best ambassador of Polish science and industry, as well as an inspiration for the next generations – says the president of the Polish Space Agency, prof. Grzegorz Wrochna.

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About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe's gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organization established in 1975. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe's space potential and to ensure that citizens of Europe and the world benefit from investments in such research.

ESA consists of 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Great Britain. Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia and Lithuania are associate members.

ESA has established formal cooperation with four European Union member states. Canada participates in some ESA programs under a cooperative agreement.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA is able to implement programs and activities that go far beyond the scope of any single country in Europe. The Agency cooperates in particular with the EU in the implementation of the Galileo and Copernicus programs, as well as with the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) in the development of meteorological missions.

More information about ESA can be found at www.esa.int