Dumitru Popescu –ARCA President/ Propulsion engineer

www.dumitrupopescu.com

Born: January 2, 1977 in Rm. Valcea. He is married and has one child, Luca. In 1997 he studied at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest – Aerospace Engineering. In 1998, together with a group of students, he created ARCA and soon, rockets as Demonstrator 2 and 2B were build. In 2003 ARCA joined the X Prize Competition and Dumitru represented the team to the major XPF events, such: X Prize Teams Meeting (2004), X Prize Gala (2004) and X Prize Cup (2005, 2006). In 2004 Dumitru was designer and coordinated the launch of Demonstrator 2B rocket from Cape Midia Air Force Launch Base. Demonstrator 2B was world first rocket equipped with completely reusable composite materials monopropellant rocket engine, ever to fly. Dumitru was designer for ARCA’s X Prize class vehicle Stabilo and he coordinated the Mission 1 and 2 flights as well as all ground tests of this vehicle. During this program Dumitru will be the team leader as well as propulsion engineer.

Teodor Diaconu – Spacecraft systems/ Flight dynamics designer

Born: November 15, 1973 in Rm. Valcea. He is unmarried. In 1997 he studied at the Craiova University – Chemistry Faculty – Post-graduate PhD Chemistry. He is a member of ARCA since 2002. Since then he had a great contribution to the development of rocket engines, rocket fuel tanks, and flight dynamics computer programs. He participated to the ground and flight tests of Demonstrator 2B rocket and Stabilo’s Mission 1 and 2. In 2006 he lead the governmental military application program STRACAAT developed at ARCA. Since September 2007 he is leading the VECSS government funded project with the goal of developing a low cost balloon launched suborbital vehicle. During this program Teodor will be in charge with the development of ship’s subsystems as well as with the flight dynamics.

Paul Radut – Electric/electronic engineer

Born: July 1, 1956 in Pitesti. He is married and has two children, Alex and Adrian. In 1978 he studied at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest – Automatics Engineering. He is a member of ARCA since 2006. He worked on the development of electric/electronics/pneumatics subsystems for the Stabilo and STRACAAT vehicles and participated to the Mission 1 and 2 flights of the Stabilo vehicle. He created the automat flight control systems and ground control systems for Mission 1 and 2. During this program Paul will be in charge with the development of ship’s electric/electronic/pneumatics subsystems as well as the ground data receiver/transmitter.

Andrei Comanceanu – ARCA Vice-president/ Flight dynamics

Born: December 26, 1978 in Falciu. He is unmarried. In 1997 he studied at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest – Aerospace Engineering – Master in Aerospace Engineering. He is a member of ARCA since 1999 and vice-president of ARCA since 2001. He worked intensively to the development and launch of Demonstrator 2B rocket and it was a member of the flight tests team for Stabilo’s Mission 1 and 2. Since September 2007 he is leading the BASMATES governmental funded project with the goal of developing a high altitude, balloon carried, flight platform. During this program Andrei will be in charge with the development of the Montgolfier solar balloon used to lift the rocket which will transport the ELE vehicle.

Comanescu Dragos – Propulsion engineer

Born: July 13, 1976 in Pitesti. He is unmarried. In 1997 he studied at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest – Aerospace Engineering. He is a member of ARCA since 2002. His efforts at ARCA were focused on the development of rocket engines. He participated to the ground and flight tests of Demonstrator 2B rocket and Stabilo’s Mission 1 and 2. During this program Dragos will participate to the development of the propulsion system.

Bogdan Sburlea – Project manager/PR

Born: November 7, 1961 in Pitesti. He is unmarried. In 1981 he studied at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest – Automatics Engineering. Bogdan has also an MBA at Open University Business School UK. He is a member of ARCA and project manager since 2002. His efforts at ARCA were focused on funds rising and efficient activities coordination. He participated on external business and media meetings as well as XPF meetings, such: X Prize Teams Meeting (2004), SpaceShipOne X Prize Flight 1 (2004) and X Prize Cup (2005). During this program, Bogdan will be team’s contact with the international press and he will represent the team on official external meetings.

Simona Popescu – PR manager

Born: June 23, 1980 in Dragasani. She is married and has one child: Luca. In 1999 she studied at the Sibiu University – French Launguage Faculty. She is PR manager of ARCA since 2001. She organized important media events, such as the launch of Demonstrator 2B rocket, and Stabilo’s Mission 1 flight, as well as public displays of Demonstrator 2 and Orizont X Prize class vehicle. Through she’s work, ARCA became one of the most well known team in the field of suborbital flight. During this program, Simona will organize media and public events for hardware presentations and ground and flight tests.

Florian Benchea – Web design/PR

Born: June 16, 1974 in Iasi. He is unmarried. In 1992 he joined the Bucharest University – Physics Faculty. He is a member of ARCA since 2002. He participated to media events, such as the launch of Demonstrator 2B rocket, and Stabilo’s Mission 2 flight, as well as public displays of Demonstrator 2 and Orizont X Prize class vehicle. He is the creator of ARCA's web sites and web updates. During this program, Florian will administrate the web sites and will participate to organize media and public events for hardware presentations and ground and flight tests.

Dragos Muresan – IT responsible/Graphics

Born: November 11, 1983 in Bucharest. He is unmarried. In 2004 he studied at the Bucharest University – Mathematics an Informatics Faculty. He is a member of ARCA since 2005. He is the creator of ARCA's animated graphics and videos.