Further start delays. The Pole will wait for the flight into space

Initially planned for Tuesday, the mission was shifted.

– The delay is, as we unfortunately were afraid of weather, unfortunately the winds in the upper layers of the atmosphere, where the first and second members of the rocket will be disconnected, are too strong and they are simply beyond these safety limits for the crew, as well as for this member of the rocket that will come back – explained Dr. Aleksandra Bukała, a manager of the Polish Ignis mission during briefing in Florida.

The new start date was set for Wednesday. The decision to implement it was to be made by the so -called Weather council on Tuesday, around 4pm of Polish time. However, it was already indicated that the risk of another postponement is still real.

-The risk of another delay in starting the mission of the Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski is the assessment of 20-30 percent. – said Dr. Bukała. She also explained that the start certifications are valid until June 15, but the possibility of departure exists even later if the need arises.

Not only the weather. The technique also challenges

In addition to difficult weather conditions, there were also technical problems with Falcon 9 rocket.

Vice President of SpaceX, William Gerstenmaier, revealed that during the static engine test, liquid oxygen leakage was detected. The problem took place after the renovation of the rocket after her first flight and was not previously noticed. In addition, there was a fault related to the recoil control of one of the engines.

“Both of these problems will be solved until tomorrow and the vehicle will be ready for start,” said SpaceX.

All this means that the start of the Ignis mission, which is to be taken to the International Space Station of Four Astronauts, including a Pole, may still be a bit delayed.

Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski ready for everything

Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, a specialist in the Ignis mission and a representative of the European Space Agency, turns out to be mentally prepared for scenarios with shift of the outlet date.

– Sławosz says he is used to it and that he was prepared and trained and that it does not affect him. He will have more time to read all these manuals – reported Dr. Bukała.

She added that Tuesday is to be for astronauts a day of replays and additional mental training before the proper start.

– Repetitions, replays, replays, because the more times they are repeated by these starting procedures, also what they are the least feeling when it comes to working at the station, the less stress will be later – she added.

Ready team, new capsule

Uznański-Wiśniewski and his companions of the AX-4 mission-Peggy Whitson (USA), Shubhanshu Shukla (India) and Tibor of Kapu (Hungary)-ended the “dry” attempt on Sunday, i.e. simulation of starting procedures and entering the Dragon capsule. She will take them to ISS. Although Dragon was flying before, this particular capsule is the tenth and at the same time the last new manned unit produced by SpaceX.

The whole Ignis mission, which Uznański-Wiśniewski is part, is the result of the agreement between the Ministry of Development and Technology and the European Space Agency. The Polish Space Agency (Polsa) is also involved in the mission, acting as an executive agency. The goal is not only to participate in the prestigious undertaking, but also to promote Polish technological and research competences in space.

Starting window and weather threats

Weather forecasts remain the greatest factor of uncertainty. As Jimmy Tager from the US space forces pointed out, although the conditions for Wednesday promise to be better, the risk did not disappear.

“Weather forecasting in central Florida is always fun,” the expert commented with a snack.

He added that on Wednesday the risk of exceeding the permissible weather parameters is 20 percent, and on Thursday 25 percent.

The problem can be fleeting storms and rains, which can occur both above the starting platform and the land.

The mission organizers emphasize that the current start window is valid until June 30. Then there will be a break related to the ISS docking planned by the Russians. The next possibilities will open only in the second week of July.

“We are waiting for weather conditions, and as for the starting window we have it until June 30, and later the Russians have planned docking operations, so there will be a break, then another break and then in the second week of July this window opens again, so there will be more opportunities to fly” – said representatives of Axiom Space.

Poland in a space race

For Poland, participation in the Ignis mission is a historic moment. This is not only the symbolic return of the Polish citizen to the orbit after the times of Mirosław Hermaszewski, but also a real investment in the future of domestic space technologies.

Allen Flynt with Axiom Space assured during a press conference that “for the last 10 months astronauts have trained with focus and determination”, and the whole crew is fully ready to take off.

The mission start is currently scheduled for Wednesday, June 11 at 14:00 American time. However, the final decision will depend on the weather, which – as you can see – does not intend to easily give away heaven.