(ANSA) - KARPACZ, 05 SET - "We must prepare ourselves for a major technological leap forward and truly innovative change in order to become leaders on the European and international market: instead of 'chasing' the market with the same solutions, we should propose our own innovations, which will be scalable globally. Telecommunications, and in particular a part of telecommunications technology, is Poland's leading sector in Europe. It seems to me that this is the leap we are most lacking." So said astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, speaking about the Polish space program during his visit to the SGH Zone at the 34th Economic Forum in Karpacz. Last June, the astronaut—the second Pole in space and the first on the International Space Station (ISS)—took part in the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). During their 18 days in space, the international crew of four astronauts performed over 60 scientific experiments and outreach activities. "I think telecommunications/navigation," he emphasizes, "are really an important area for development: just two or three years ago, it was really difficult to talk about space technologies with politicians. Today, however, we are seeing progress in this regard. I hope that it was the Polish mission that contributed significantly to the dialogue: this year alone, space investments reached one and a half billion zloty in public money. This has never happened before." Uznanski-Wisniewski then spoke about the great potential for development in Earth observation. 'It is positive,' he explained, 'that we are building constellations. Today, in fact, even the world of telecommunications and navigation is based on constellations. The Italian government is building a constellation (Iride programme, ed.) similar to our "Kamila", not based on four satellites, but on over 60.' 'Iride' is a space programme promoted by the Italian government and developed with funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) with a total budget of €1.1 billion. It involves the creation of six satellite constellations. It is coordinated by the ESA with the support of the Italian Space Agency. (ANSA).