Rzeszów University of Technology will broadcast a live link with the International Space Station (ISS) during Poland’s first scientific and technological space mission, IGNIS. The video connection with Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski will last approximately 10 minutes, during which he will answer a few selected questions.
“This is extremely significant for us. First, because we have the opportunity to organize such an event. Second, it signals that we are increasingly being recognized as an academic center with strong and advanced competencies in space technology,” said Dr. hab. inż. Andrzej Majka, Professor at Rzeszów University of Technology and Head of the Department of Aerospace and Space Engineering.
Rzeszów University of Technology, alongside the University of Wrocław, is one of only two institutions selected by the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) to host the live connection with the Polish astronaut during the IGNIS mission.
“Rzeszów University of Technology proved during the application process that it deserved to be part of this historic moment. From the beginning of the selection, the university stood out due to good conditions for conducting direct communications with the space station, and such an option was initially considered,” explained Anna Bukiewicz-Szul from POLSA.
Ultimately, it was decided that the connection with the space station will be established via a telebridge. The link will be facilitated by American amateur radio operators affiliated with the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program.
“The signal will be received by one of six ARISS ground stations located around the world, and then transmitted to us via telephone connection,” Bukiewicz-Szul added.
The live telebridge with the ISS will be the highlight of a series of educational workshops held at Rzeszów University of Technology. “The workshops will focus on space engineering and technology. We will welcome young people who are passionate about space. Perhaps this event will inspire some of them to pursue studies in aviation and astronautics at our university. We are looking for engaged students who, in the future, could become part of the space industry,” emphasized Professor Andrzej Majka.
The connection with the ISS will last up to 10 minutes, during which selected students will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski. Around 400 participants are expected to attend the event in person.
The Ax-4 mission, featuring Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, is scheduled to launch to the ISS on June 8 at 15:11 CEST (9:11 local time in Florida).
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