A facsimile of a Mazurka in A-flat major by Fryderyk Chopin has been taken into space as part of IGNIS, Poland’s first technological and scientific mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The manuscript, preserved in an album that once belonged to the pioneering composer and pianist Maria Szymanowska, was launched on 25 June 2025 aboard a SpaceX flight, marking a symbolic tribute to Poland’s cultural heritage in the context of its expanding space ambitions.
Led by Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, a Polish astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), IGNIS (Latin for “fire”) is conducting thirteen experiments developed by Polish companies and research institutions, ranging from microbiome analysis and materials testing to artificial intelligence applications. The mission is seen as a milestone for Poland’s space sector, combining scientific innovation with international collaboration.
Alongside its research goals, IGNIS carries a carefully chosen set of symbolic items reflecting Poland’s cultural identity. These include:
- a facsimile of Chopin’s Mazurka from Szymanowska’s album,
- the Polish national flag,
- a patch from General Mirosław Hermaszewski’s 1978 mission,
- memorabilia related to Maria Skłodowska-Curie and Nicolaus Copernicus,
- poems by Wisława Szymborska and other Polish literary works,
- a commemorative poster by Andrzej Pągowski,
- amber from the Baltic Sea,
- salt from the Wieliczka mines,
- and a traditional Opoczno ‘krajka’ bracelet.
While no official explanation was given for the selection of this specific Chopin work, its symbolic power is clear. The mazurka — a stylized Polish folk dance — became a hallmark of Chopin’s compositional voice and a subtle expression of national identity. The link to Szymanowska, one of the most influential women musicians of her time and a forerunner in Chopin’s artistic lineage, further reinforces the gesture as a tribute to the foundations of Polish musical culture.
After the mission, the cultural artifacts will return to the museums and institutions that made them available.
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