Silesian University of Technology is closer to the stars
Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, a Polish astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA) and participant of the “IGNIS” mission to the International Space Station, visited the Silesian University of Technology. The event took place on the 6th of November at the Education and Congress Centre of the Silesian University of Technology as part of the Post-Flight Tour, organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Ministry of Development and Technology and the Polish Space Agency in cooperation with the European Space Agency.
The event was attended by the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk, as well as students, PhD students, scientists of our University and invited guests: among others - Silesian Voivode Marek Wójcik, Mayor of Gliwice Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, Plenipotentiary of the Minister of Science for the coherence of the scientific policy of the state Zuzanna Hazubska, Director of the Local Branch of the Polish Space Agency in Rzeszów Michał Pilecki, and Vice-Rector for Development of the Częstochowa University of Technology Prof. Rafał Kobylecki.
Great inspiration
It was no ordinary meeting – it was a great inspiration. This was the word that was often uttered by the participants of the meeting with Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, who captured and infected everyone with his cordiality and extraordinary enthusiasm.
The unusual setting of the event in the auditorium of the Education and Congress Centre, which was attended by 500 people, delighted everyone. Everyone was looking forward to the arrival of Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski. And then, he was greeted with great applause.
- It is with great joy and great pride that I welcome a special guest at our University – Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, a Polish astronaut, engineer. The man who crossed the Earth’s border to represent our country in space. Congratulations on your historic flight into space. The Polish mission is not only a personal triumph, but also a symbol of courage, determination, and the great victory of science. It is an event that is written in golden letters in Polish history, providing inspiration to current and future generations of researchers, engineers, dreamers, and students. Today, space missions are not only an expression of human curiosity, but also a key element in the development of technology, allowing for more effective protection of the environment, improved safety, and sustainable development. These aspirations are very close to the activities of our University, Silesian University of Technology, which actively participates in projects related to space - the Rector Marek Pawełczyk welcomed Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and all the participants of the event.
- I am glad to be with you. All my life I have tried to share my knowledge – both technical and personal, because I also teach sailing and mountain climbing. My research team at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) has seen many students like you. I have conducted about 30 master’s and doctoral programs for young scientists. I agree with the Rector's words - it is true, it is from you, students, that the creation of technology begins. I know that at the Silesian University of Technology and in Silesia there is a great potential – Dr Eng Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski began his lecture. Thanks to him, the gathered could get to know the behind-the-scenes of the space mission and see many photos and videos.
The participants also had the opportunity to listen to the presentation of two experiments started in connection with the IGNIS mission – AstroMentalHealth and Yeast TardigradeGene, which were presented by scientists of the University of Silesia: Prof. Mateusz Paliga and Prof. Izabela Poprawa.
An interesting point of the event was also the opportunity to ask a Polish astronaut a question. Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski talked with great passion about the easiest and most difficult experiment carried out during the space mission and about waiting for the start. He was also asked about the most important advice on how to follow one’s scientific path, as well as what to do to become an astronaut.
- It’s an incredibly inspiring day. Dr Sławosz showed that everything in life is possible, that you have to fight for your dreams, fulfil your passions, not only scientific ones, because it all pays off later – said Beniamin Kopiec, a student of technical physics at the Institute of Physics - Centre for Science and Education at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, who, thanks to the “Al Worden’s Endeavour” scholarship, experienced an amazing adventure and training at the Space & Rocket Centre in the United States.
Those gathered in the auditorium could also listen to the discussion panel “Ignis Mission, Science, Space, Career,” which was led by Prof. Jakub Nalep from the Silesian University of Technology. It was attended by Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, Prof. Robert Czerwiński and Dr Eng. Agata Wijata from the Silesian University of Technology, as well as the aforementioned Prof. Izabela Poprawa and Prof. Mateusz Paliga. Scientists discussed, among others, why it is worth dreaming about becoming an astronaut and about artificial intelligence in space.
Autographs, conversations, and photos
The presentation of student science clubs was an extraordinary moment. Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski together with the Rector Marek Pawełczyk visited the stands of student science clubs. The young people could talk about their projects, ask Polish astronaut questions. There was no shortage of commemorative photos, autographs, congratulations. Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, among others, sat in the PolSl Racing car, and was also curious about the presented projects.
- We presented the functioning of our Club and talked about how we managed in the last competition. It was also an opportunity to describe the individual components of our car in detail. I didn’t expect when I started my studies that I would have a chance to meet a person who was recently in space. However, this shows how much good is happening in our country in the scientific field – says Maksymilian Janicki, who represented the PolSl Racing science club.
- When I started my studies, it was unthinkable that in the near future we would have a Pole in space. I am glad that our country is becoming more and more involved in the space industry and thanks to that our University has received such a great distinction. For me, as a supervisor of the science club, the opportunity to talk to Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski is a really big event. We had the opportunity to talk to him about our Mars rover. We talked, among others, about the fact that we use innovative materials that reduce weight and Dr Sławosz emphasized that it is very important, because the space industry is constantly looking for such solutions to save on weight - says Dr Eng. Andrzej Jałowiecki, supervisor of the Science Club SKN Silesian Phoenix. - We also managed to get his signature on the cover of our rover. It is our tradition that at important events we collect autographs from famous personalities.
-This is an extremely positive moment. We had the opportunity to talk about our scientific interests, including radiation, its effects on organisms and equipment. We also heard some nice words about our projects - says Joanna Wikiera from SKN Data Science.
About training, songs, and extraterrestrial life
The second part of the visit - educational - took place at the Student Culture Centre "Mrowisko.” More than 200 pupils from Silesian primary and secondary schools had the opportunity to ask Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski questions. Children and young people were interested, among others, to what songs he listened to just before the flight into space and what his daily training is like. There were also technical questions related to the flight, as well as extraterrestrial life. At the end there was also an opportunity for commemorative photos and autographs.
Closer to the stars
This event was important for our entire region. Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski has earlier had the opportunity to visit KP Labs in Gliwice, whose experiment, the Leopard ISS, a compact data processing unit, was tested during the IGNIS mission. In addition, the event at the Education and Congress Centre was attended by students from other Silesian universities belonging to the Academic Consortium.
- It was a fantastic meeting. I think a lot of young people have learned a lot about the space mission, and they may have been inspired by how to become astronauts. Students of the Silesian University of Technology asked many valuable questions. The space industry is developing very dynamically, so I am glad that the Silesian University of Technology is also interested in this industry of the future - said the Silesian Voivode Marek Wójcik.
- I am glad that I was able to talk to students of the Silesian University of Technology, as it is the type of university with which I am familiar because of my scientific career path - said Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski during the press conference. - I hope that the Polish space mission is such a vehicle to pull Polish engineers, Polish scientists, and students into space. I hope that the launch of the Polish mission was a moment connecting all of us. Everyone could look up and think that we had our representative at the International Space Station and also feel proud of what we have achieved as a country. It is a privilege to be that person. It was an amazing professional and personal time for me. I could experiment with technology in perhaps the most unique scientific laboratory humanity has ever built. This mission must now be discussed in an accessible, communicative way, to wide groups of recipients - also to children and students.
The Rector Marek Pawełczyk was very impressed by our guest’s visit, as well as by the great interest and passion of the students.
- Today, the Silesian University of Technology was closer to the stars and closer to dreams. That day gave us a lot of impressions. Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski talked about his career and how he followed it. First of all, he emphasized that he was curious about the world – he tried to discover and explore it. He was simply active - he participated in many projects, exchanges, gained contacts and all this led him to his great achievement - explained Rector Marek Pawełczyk. - Young people have learned how to pursue their dreams. Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski also stressed that it is necessary to have bold dreams, set bold goals and try to achieve them. Our guest was fascinated by the presentations of our science clubs, the maturity of students’ questions. I am impressed by his personality – he is not only an astronaut, but also an excellent scientist who communicates his experience in a great way and shares great enthusiasm. This is the most important thing, because it will attract many young people.
We invite you to watch the broadcast of both parts of the visit of Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski.
Photos Karolina Marszał, CKS „Mrowisko”.
