The Ministry of Environmental and Transport is considering Uznański-Wiśniewski's participation in the ESA astronaut core corps.

The Ministry of Development and Technology is considering Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski's participation in the European Space Agency's (ESA) core astronaut corps, the ministry said in response to questions from PAP. It added that Poland aims to maintain its ESA membership fee at the current level.

In the information sent to PAP by the ministry's press office, it was added that the decision on maintaining the contribution amount will depend on the state's capabilities and "the real possibility of effectively using ESA funds."

"The Ministry of Development and Technology is considering Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski's participation in the ESA astronaut core corps. Dr. Uznański-Wiśniewski currently holds reserve astronaut status and participated in mission preparations as an ESA project astronaut," the ministry announced.

It added that Poland treats the participation of its citizen in a manned space mission "as an important step in building national competences in the area of space exploration and promoting science and technology among the young generation."

The Ministry of Sport and Tourism announced that Poland has declared a total financial contribution (to ESA – PAP) of approximately €400 million for 2023–2025 and aims to maintain this level of funding. The Ministry noted that the vast majority of this amount returns to Polish companies, universities, and research institutes in the form of contracts, technological projects, and development grants.

He also pointed out that maintaining the current contribution level allows Poland to participate in key ESA programs. These include: Earth observation (including the Copernicus mission and new ESA initiatives), navigation systems (Galileo), the development of modern satellite technologies, space robotics, and initiatives supporting the development of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in the space sector.

As stated in a statement provided to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), the space sector is also of growing importance for national security and defense. Access to independent satellite data, precise navigation systems, and advanced observation technologies supports, among other things, crisis management and border protection.

It was also emphasized that the development of the Polish space sector contributes to the transfer of technology to the civilian and defense industries, increases the innovation and competitiveness of the Polish economy and "strengthens Poland's position as a reliable international partner in the area of strategic technologies."

Last week, Professor Grzegorz Wrochna from the Association of Polish Space Industry Entrepreneurs and former president of the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) spoke to PAP about the importance of maintaining the ESA contribution at its current level for the future of Polish astronauts. He noted that Uznański-Wiśniewski will remain an ESA project astronaut for another six months after his flight.

He emphasized the importance of upgrading Uznański-Wiśniewski's status from ESA project astronaut to "permanent ESA astronaut." He added that this was difficult to achieve because Poland had only pledged a single increase in its financial contribution to ESA.

"These declarations are made every three years, and that moment is now approaching. I hope that our contribution will at least be maintained, which of course increases the chance that our astronaut will become a permanent professional ESA astronaut," explained Professor Wrochna. (PAP)

Science in Poland

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