Romania to launch its first space flight

This is one of the stages of the amplest research project ever initiated in Romania, to take part in the Google Lunar X Prize competition, launched in 2007, whose grand prize is $20 million. “Compared to the USA, for example, where such a project means funds worth some $30 million, the costs of our project are about six times lower,” Dumitru Popescu, President and CEO of ARCA, told Business Standard.

He added that entering such a competition, but especially winning this, could raise the interest of several investors, both local and foreign companies, in this field of research in Romania. Romania has the second-best chance of winning the grand prize, after the multinational Frednet team, ARCA officials said, considering that 24 teams have signed up for this competition. This is the first time a completely ecological fuel (hydrogen peroxide) is used for launching a spaceship, ARCA representatives added.