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Space year at AGH University

Decorative graphic: an astronaut in a white space suit holding a glowing sign that reads “2025.” The sign is reflected in the transparent visor of his helmet. A starry sky in the background.

Space year at AGH University

Looking back at 2025 at AGH University we can proudly say that it was straight out of space! What made it so special? Read our overview of space-related events that sparked a lot of interest over the last 12 months.

A new faculty, an experiment on the ISS, and a Polish astronaut at AGH University

In early April, AGH University opened the Faculty of Space Technologies, the first such faculty in Poland and one of the very few in Europe. The university’s 18th faculty educates students in the dynamically growing space sector, offering a master’s in English in Space Engineering. The field of study includes three specialisations, and classes are held by subject-matter experts and employees of space agencies and tech companies.

At the end of June, an experiment developed in the AGH University Space Technology Centre was taken to the International Space Station (ISS). Implemented by a team from the Faculty of Space Technologies, the project consisted in the design of a wristband made of an ultrathin material called MXene. The official name of the experiment, MXene in LEO, refers to Low Earth Orbit. The research was one of 13 experiments in technology, biology, medicine, and psychology prepared by Polish scientists with the Axiom Mission 4 in mind. The technological and scientific part of the mission was called IGNIS.

The MXene band was tested by the Polish project astronaut of the European Space Agency, Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, the first Pole to be on the ISS. We continue to wait for the results of the experiment, but the testing stage was successful. In the future, MXene bands developed at AGH University might not only monitor the vital signs of astronauts but also help patients here on Earth.

In November, Dr Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski came to AGH University as part of the mission IGNIS Post-Flight Tour to speak about preparations for and the course of Axiom 4. To listen to his passionate talk were mostly students and doctoral students of Krakow universities. A separate part of the meeting was dedicated to primary and high school students. There were also presentations on Polish experiments on the ISS, including one on MXene in LEO, its genesis, the motivations and engagement of the team behind it, by the band’s co-creators. 

Step by step: satellite antenna, orbital HYPE, LUNARIS, Turbulence, and rover victories

At the beginning of 2025, a specialist antenna for satellite communication was installed on the rooftop of the Space Technology Centre. It has been a key element of infrastructure in space projects, allowing continuous connection with objects in orbit, thereby making it possible to quickly react to any technical issues and receive the results of satellite-based experiments.

The first object monitored by the antenna was HYPE, the smallest Polish and first fully student-made satellite. It was launched in January 2025 as part of the Falcon 9 Transporter‑12 mission. The entire design and assembly process was carried out by AGH University students part of the SatLab Student Research Club in cooperation with the Space Technology Centre. HYPE is an example of how a club project can translate into real implementations.

Another space-focused student research club, AGH Lunar-Technologies, developed a Moon dust analyser called LUNARIS. The 200-gramme payload studied the interactions of regolith with materials used in the space sector, to find coatings that are the most resistant to the regolith’s abrasive and corrosive properties. LUNARIS has undergone advanced environmental testing in the laboratories of the European Space Agency. The findings from the experiment could be crucial for the design of equipment intended for use on the surface of the Moon and for the safety of future missions.

AGH Space Systems presented the latest version of Turbulence, the first Polish student-made liquid-fuelled rocket, which is also the most technically advanced model of the team yet. At the end of July, the rocket made its first flight, reaching an altitude of nearly 5 km. For the team, this is both a symbolic culmination of many years of development work and a starting point for further missions, including flights to higher altitudes and experiments with scientific payloads.

The year 2025 was also victorious for our planetary rover. The AGH Space Systems team had its Australian Rover Challenge debut and managed to beat 14 teams in the final and take the top position. In the European edition of the challenge the team finished third, confirming its position among the international leaders.

The biggest rover event in Europe, the European Rover Challenge, was held on the AGH University campus for the second time. We had the opportunity to watch teams from all over the world compete in tasks inspired by real-life scenarios.

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