Astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, who travelled to the International Space Station (ISS) this year, informed he will take the Polish flag and pierogi into space. During the conference preceding the Axiom-4 mission, he wanted to show that space is for everyone.

“We were the fourth country in space. As a child raised in the 1980s, I could only dream of one day becoming an astronaut myself. My childhood dream is just now coming true,” Uznański-Wiśniewski said.

“Today I represent Poland and a whole generation of Poles – scientists, teachers, students. All those who contribute to the development of science on a local and global level. We want to show that space is not only for the greatest, but it is for everyone,” the astronaut added.

Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski said that the Axiom-4 crew is very close to him, almost like family. He indicated that he feels connected to the astronauts who travelled into space before him, especially the late Mirosław Hermaszewski who was the first Polish astronaut who travelled into space. 

Uznański-Wiśniewski said that Mr Hermaszewski gave him a lot of support during the selection process. 

He also referred to his diet aboard the cosmic mission vessel.

“I have experience from the mountains, where food (…) brings mental comfort. When I started working at Axiom, I found out that I could participate in a project to prepare the food we would take with us to the ISS. I started working with a small Polish family company. Today I can say that for the first time, we will take Polish pierogi into space,” the astronaut said.

Mr Uznański-Wiśniewski told the Polish Press Agency that he had been developing a technological process with dumpling manufacturers to preserve them from space travel conditions. 

The mission in which the Polish astronaut will participate is planned for spring 2025. 

Source: PAP

Photo: @Axiom_Space

Tomasz Modrzejewski