Dr. Sławosz Uznański, a scientist in the Reserve Astronauts of the European Space Agency (ESA), has been selected to be the second Pole to fly into space. Uznański had successfully competed against 22,000 European applicants after passing rigorous tests to even be considered for space travel. He had to demonstrate a knowledge of space and space technology, undergo medical examinations, and participate in numerous qualifying interviews to join the team.
“Though there’s a long way to go before space travel, I’m proud to have reached the finals and been chosen by ESA. I hope to undergo basic astronaut training and be assigned to a future mission,” said Sławosz Uznański when he was selected as an ESA astronaut at the end of last year.
On Wednesday, the Polish GovTech Center, an interdepartmental team for innovation and digitization operating within the Polish Prime Minister’s Office, tweeted that Uznański has been chosen as one of the future astronauts of ESA.
On June 27, 1978, a Polish pilot, Gen. Mirosław Hermaszewski, became the first Pole to venture into space, undertaking an eight-day orbital mission aboard the Soviet spacecraft “Soyuz 30.” On the 45th anniversary of his mission, Uznański posted a photo together with Hermaszewski. Gen. Hermaszewski passed away on Dec. 12, 2022.
Uznański, a Polish scientist from Łódź, is a graduate of Lodz University of Technology, University of Nantes, Nantes University of Technology, and Aix-Marseille University. His main scientific focus has been studying the effects of cosmic radiation on humans, and he is also involved in designing radiation-resistant electronics.
