History was made as the crew of the Ax-4 mission, including Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, became the first representatives from Poland, Hungary, and India to board the International Space Station (ISS).
On Thursday at approximately 2:25 PM Eastern European Time, the astronauts transitioned from the Dragon capsule to the ISS following a smooth docking procedure.
After a nearly 28-hour journey from Cape Canaveral and two hours after docking, Peggy Whitson (USA), Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland/ESA), Tibor Kapu (Hungary), and Shubhanshu Shukla (India) joined the seven crew members already aboard the station. For Poland, this marked a historic milestone: Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski became the first Polish astronaut ever to set foot on the ISS.
The Dragon Grace capsule’s docking sequence involved multiple carefully executed stages. Using 16 onboard thrusters, the spacecraft maneuvered into precise alignment with the orbit of the ISS. At each step, the crew had the option to take manual control if any issues with propulsion or navigation had arisen. When the capsule reached approximately 5 meters from the station, it entered the CHOP (Crew Hands Off Point) phase, where all further operations proceeded autonomously. Fortunately, the process went off without a hitch.
According to Magdalena Frańczak from the Polish Space Agency, the Polish astronaut plans to connect live with audiences in Poland six times during his mission. These “in-flight calls” will feature students, journalists, VIP guests, and online participants, with all events streamed over the internet. Specific dates for these live sessions are yet to be announced. Personal calls are also planned.
This mission marks a historic first: never before have astronauts from Poland, Hungary, or India visited the International Space Station.
Ph: EPA/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH 24.06.2025
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