After a successful arrival and initial orientation, Sławosz quickly transitioned into the Ignis mission objectives. Throughout his first week in orbit, he has been actively involved in a wide range of experiments. From space biology and neuroscience to advanced materials and health sciences, these experiments are helping scientists better understand life and discovery in microgravity.
Ax-4 Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski seen with the Space Volcanic Algae payload aboard the International Space Station. Credits: NASA/Axiom Space
Polish and ESA experiments conducted so far during the mission include multiple sessions of MXene in LEO, AstroMentalHealth, Human Gut Microbiota, Immune Multiomics, and EEG Neurofeedback; the stowage of the Yeast Tardigrade Gene; and the installation of Space Volcanic Algae. The mission also saw the successful start of PhotonGrav, Wireless Acoustics, and LeopardISS, along with continued progress on ESA’s Bone Health and Muscle Stimulation investigations.
Ignis science infographic. Credits: ESA
Beyond science, Sławosz has embraced his role as a communicator and educator, recording messages and demonstrations for audiences back on Earth from the European-made Cupola.
Ax-4 Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski enjoys views of the Earth from the cupola aboard the International Space Station. Credits: NASA/Axiom Space
His outreach efforts so far have included in-flight calls connecting the mission with both the public and national leadership, such as a live session with students from across Poland as part of the “Lessons from Orbit” series, and a high-level conversation with Polish government officials, including the Prime Minister.
When it’s time to rest, Sławosz retreats to CASA, his personal sleeping quarters located in the European Columbus module. Roughly the size of a phone booth, CASA offers privacy and a place to sleep in a wall-mounted sleeping bag. Like all astronauts, he’s scheduled for eight hours of rest each night—but sleep in space is also part of the science. The crew is studying how stress and microgravity affect sleep quality, adding another layer of insight to this unique environment.
The European sleeping booth CASA, located in the Columbus module aboard the International Space Station.
Credits: NASA / Axiom Space.
As we reach the halfway point of the mission, Sławosz has also passed the midpoint of his primary mission objectives. He has logged around 50 hours of crew time—the time astronauts spend actively working on mission-related tasks. His crewmates have supported these efforts and also contributed to ESA science by dedicating additional crew time to European investigations on the Station.
After enjoying their first off-duty day—spent recharging and reconnecting with loved ones back on Earth—exactly one week after arriving at the orbital outpost, Sławosz and the Ax-4 crew are in high spirits, looking ahead with energy and focus on the second half of their mission.
Stay tuned for more updates as Sławosz and the Ax-4 crew continue their journey in orbit!