What comes after IGNIS

This article is a part of Poland Unpacked. Weekly intelligence for decision-makers

In a EUR 65 million mission that was one of the most significant events for Poland’s domestic space sector, astronauts conducted 13 experiments designed in Poland. Today, however, interest in their results appears to be fading. Scientists and companies in the sector are sounding the alarm: systemic support is missing.

Less than a year after the IGNIS mission (part of Axiom Mission 4), on April 13, 2026, progress on 13 experiments that flew to the International Space Station (ISS) together with Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski was presented in Warsaw. The conference brought together representatives of universities, companies, and the space sector. Yet, as participants stressed, it was organized from the ground up. In the view of many, public administration engagement around the project – worth a total of around EUR 65 million (approx. PLN 280 million) – has clearly weakened.

“Frustration was mounting, and we decided to take matters into our own hands. We are starting to communicate the current status of the experiments and the results of the research work,” said Maciej Myśliwiec, founder of Space Agency, an organization working in communication, promotion, and coordination within Poland’s space sector.

In his view, the IGNIS mission was one of the most important events for the national space sector in recent years and should translate into scientific, technological, and social development. That will not happen if its key dimensions – science and technology – fade from view.

The event was organized by the Copernicus Science Centre, ESERO-Poland, and Space Agency, with partners including the Polish Space Professionals Association (PSPA) and the Employers’ Association of the Space Sector (ZPSK).

“Mission does not end upon landing”

The long-term significance of the project was also highlighted by the astronaut himself, who attended the event.

“The IGNIS mission was a highly visible initiative for society – educational, scientific, and technological. The question is: what will we build on this foundation, and what will the sector look like in five years? My dream is that the mission does not become merely a symbol,” said Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski.

As he stressed, space projects do not end when astronauts return to Earth. They require continued development and implementation.

Lack of systemic support for experiments

From the perspective of many participants in the program, a key challenge remains the absence of a coherent support mechanism for projects based on the conducted experiments once a mission has ended. According to Dr. Aleksandra Bukała, mission manager of IGNIS (formerly with the Polish Space Agency – POLSA, now at PIAP Space), such a program is necessary. A lack of coordination in practice may mean that the results of projects that have already undergone an expensive execution phase in space conditions will not be fully utilized. And yet Poland, during the European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Council in autumn 2025, declared further engagement in space exploration programs.

“I hope that such a coordinated support program for experiments will appear soon,” the expert said in an interview with XYZ.

Good to know

The experiments carried out under the IGNIS mission are at different stages of completion. Some teams are continuing their work in order to explore additional “terrestrial” applications. Selected experiments include:

EEG Neurofeedback, University of Physical Education and Sport in Gdańsk

The team set out to test a brain-training technique that “helps learn to regulate one’s mental states using real-time feedback on brain activity in conditions of spaceflight and space habitation.”

Marcin Dornowski, a member of the research team, confirmed that all data has already been collected. The hypotheses have been validated. Statistical analysis is ongoing, and the team is finalizing a scientific publication on the results.

EEG Neurofeedback already has its first users and is enabling entry into a new segment – dual-use applications. The team has signed an agreement with the GROM military unit and is also in the process of formalizing cooperation with the Polish Navy special forces unit Formoza.

MXene in LEO, AGH University of Science and Technology

The experiment involved testing MXene nanomaterials under microgravity conditions. In its second phase, wearable bands using MXene-based sensors were tested. These devices were used to measure heart rate and detect wrist movements, with potential applications in real-time health monitoring.

Dagmara Stasiowska, a member of the research team, reported that analyses have been completed. The team has additionally decided to test the wearable bands in hospital conditions – on cardiology patients at the Upper Silesian Medical Centre. Testing and analysis in this area are set to continue.

XYZ

13 experiments and mission constraints

The experiments carried out under IGNIS are – according to Dr. Aleksandra Bukała – a key component of the entire mission, although they have often remained in the shadow of media coverage. Within the program, 13 projects were selected from more than 60 submitted proposals, evaluated in parallel by a national panel of experts and specialists from the European Space Agency (ESA).

Their execution, however, was subject to significant structural constraints. The research had to fit within the timeframe of a short-duration mission and be feasible for astronauts to conduct in orbit. To enhance the credibility of the results, in addition to Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, other astronauts were also involved in the experiments. This helped broaden the scope of the research and reduce formal barriers, including those related to medical data protection.

Potential beyond the space sector

According to Dr. Bukała, some of the experiments have potential applications beyond the space industry. The defense sector has shown interest in the findings, for example in the context of studying the effects of space radiation on the human body, including military pilots. At the same time, the technological projects serve as a demonstration of the capabilities of Poland’s industrial base and may find application in future missions as well as satellite-based solutions.

Commercialization and uneven opportunities for companies

As Jacek Terpiłowski, Vice President for Technical Affairs at Exatel and Chairman of the Council of the Space Technology Cluster, assesses, the key challenge today is the transition from the research phase to economic utilization.

“This is the moment when we should be developing these projects, commercializing them, and leveraging their results,” he said in an interview with XYZ.

He also noted that without proper coordination, some projects may remain merely technological demonstrations. Another issue is unequal access to funding – large research institutes tend to cope better, while smaller companies face significant barriers.

Growing importance of the space sector

Despite the challenges identified, industry representatives stress the growing role of the space sector in the economy. As Jacek Terpiłowski noted, this increasing importance stems from both geopolitical factors and the development of dual-use technologies, as well as progress in satellite communications and Earth observation. These technologies are used, among other things, in crisis management, environmental monitoring, and public services.

“Space technologies are no longer niche – they are becoming a real tool supporting the functioning of the state and the economy,” Mr. Terpiłowski summarized.

The future depends on policy decisions

According to market participants, the coming years will be decisive for the future of projects implemented under the IGNIS mission.

The key factor will be the creation of a coherent support system that enables a transition from the research phase to real-world implementation and the effective use of their economic potential.

The development of Poland’s space sector is increasingly linked to its economic and technological relevance. Participants point to the growing range of applications for space technologies – including communications, monitoring, and security – and the need to further develop them within national and international initiatives, including cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA).
Less than a year after the IGNIS mission, attention within the community has shifted away from the flight itself and toward what will happen next with the experiments. The sector is now moving from the implementation phase to the stage of settling projects, analyzing results, and attempting to apply them in practice.
A key issue identified by industry participants is the lack of a structured support system after the mission ends. As a result, further development of projects depends largely on the initiative of individual teams and the availability of funding, rather than on a unified institutional program.