The president of the Polish Space Agency, Marta Wachowicz, has formally requested that astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski be silenced regarding agency projects, prompting government intervention and accusations of state-level censorship.
The Request for Silence
Last week, media reports revealed an official letter from POLSA president Marta Wachowicz to the agency’s council. She demands immediate action to stop Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from publicly commenting on agency activities, strategic projects, national security, and international cooperation.
The letter was also addressed to the Minister of Finance and Economy Andrzej Domański, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński, and the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, Jan Grabiec.
Government Response
Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka denied the intent to impose censorship during a press conference on May 26. He stated that the matter must be resolved between the interested parties, noting that it concerns a major project managed by the space agency.
Dispute Over IRIS2
The conflict stems from a May 11 council meeting where Uznański-Wiśniewski questioned POLSA’s involvement in the EU’s IRIS2 program, suggesting it serves German and French interests rather than Polish ones. IRIS2 is a pan-European initiative designed to provide secure satellite communications and foster satellite infrastructure.
Censorship Allegations
Uznański-Wiśniewski characterized the demand as an attempt to silence criticism regarding the agency’s leadership and strategic failures. He clarified that his comments were taken out of context, emphasizing that he was highlighting the lack of Polish technological capacity to compete for primary benefits against firms from Germany and France.
Internal Crisis at POLSA
This incident follows a letter from current and former agency employees to Minister Domański, alleging labor law violations and a systemic loss of institutional capacity. The staff cited failures in key projects, including the National Satellite Information System, the Artemis Accords, and preparations for the 2027 International Astronautical Congress.
