A Polish government plane carrying Uznański-Wiśniewski landed in Cologne, Germany, before noon, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Before heading home to Poland, the astronaut will spend about a week at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne—the European Space Agency's main facility for astronaut training and post-mission recovery.
Uznański-Wiśniewski, the second Pole to fly into space and the first to serve on the ISS, described his time in orbit as "the most important and meaningful experience" of his life.
In the days ahead, he will undergo readaptation to Earth’s gravity at the EAC, which hosts the ESA’s astronaut corps.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone who came here today and everyone who worked on the mission - from the Polish Space Agency and the Ministry of Development, to our colleagues at the European Space Agency,” he said shortly after landing.
He also thanked friends who traveled to Cologne to greet him, and acknowledged the support he received during launch. He gave special thanks to his wife, Aleksandra Wiśniewska-Uznańska, a member of Poland’s parliament from the ruling Civic Coalition (KO).
Polish astronaut begins recovery, shares vision for Poland’s space future
“I’m returning from the International Space Station - from the first-ever Polish mission to the ISS - with my head full of ideas, invaluable experience, and a deep sense of how much is possible through international cooperation,” he said.
“From NASA, ESA, JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency to emerging players like India - with whom we shared time on the station - and the booming private space sector shaping our future, I’ve seen what’s possible when nations and industries work together,” he added.
Uznański-Wiśniewski’s arrival in Poland is scheduled for the middle of next week.
On Tuesday, his wife shared photos on social media showing Polish Army soldiers and ESA medical staff in Houston preparing a special medical transport to bring the astronaut back to Europe.
She also thanked the Air Command Group of Poland’s 1st Air Transport Base for their readiness and commitment.
Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański
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Source: PR24/X/@astro_slawosz/@AK_Wisniewska/@esaspaceflight
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