ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Space

Romanian moon ‘rockoon’ flies towards Google Lunar X-Prize

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
October 5, 2010 - Updated on October 27, 2017
in Space
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Researchers found a supermassive black hole choking on its meal
Mars has ‘multiple bodies’ of liquid water, new study concludes
Space laws: What happens if you commit a crime on the moon?
NASA establishes first Space Technology Research Institutes to make Mars a self-sufficient colony

The Google Lunar X-Prize is a great initiative that awards $20 million to whoever manages to fly a robot to the Moon, travel 500 meters and then send pictures back to the Earth first (prizes drop for 2nd, 3rd, etc). One of the most interesting competitors, the Romanian team fought a year’s worth of bad weather and a ruptured balloon to send their probe flying towards the Moon.

The Aeronautics and Cosmonautics Romanian Association (ARCA) is a non profit organization, one of 22 registered teams in the X-Prize. What’s so special about this team? Well, they’re the only team that wants to build their own rocket – their goal is to reach the Moon in a rocket-balloon launch platform.

The technology definitely raises numerous challenges, and the first two attempts were failed (the Black Sea can be restless sometimes), but third time’s the charm. On the first of October, the balloon went up, and then the rocket went on, going to an altitude of 40 kilometers; this was of course just a milestone in the whole process, the final rocket (Haas) will be 30 times heavier than this one (Helen 2).

They’re quite in a hurry, because if they want to win the X-Prize, then Haas will probably have to be the first to launch, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed for them, as well as for the other teams.

Tags: google moonlunar x prizemoon flightmoon flight prizeSpacespace rocket

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Concept image of an icy moon.
News

The Sun Will Annihilate Earth in 5 Billion Years But Life Could Move to Jupiter’s Icy Moon Europa

byRupendra Brahambhatt
2 days ago
News

Physicists Say Light Can Be Made From Nothing and Now They Have the Simulation to Prove It

byTibi Puiu
1 week ago
Biology

China’s Tiangong space station has some bacteria that are unknown to science

byMihai Andrei
4 weeks ago
Climate

Trump’s Budget Plan Is Eviscerating NASA and NOAA Science

byMihai Andrei
2 months ago

Recent news

These Moths in Australia Use the Milky Way as a GPS to Fly 1,000 Kilometers

June 18, 2025

A Giant Roman Soldier Lost His Shoe Near Hadrian’s Wall 2,000 Years Ago

June 18, 2025

Investing in an indoor CO2 monitor is probably a smart move. We reviewed one of the best

June 18, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.