2004

November 6, 2004 – ST. LOUIS
The 10 mil. $ Prize was officially awarded today to Scaled Composites Team who won the X Prize Competition on October 4 with the SSO-White Knight suborbital vehicle. At the event participated X Prize Foundation officials, Scaled Composites Team members, St. Louis officials, sponsors and DaVinci, DeLeon, HARC, TGV and ARCA team’s representatives. The teams discussed with X Prize officials about the X Prize Cup incoming event. More pictures

October 24, 2004 - RM. VALCEA
The construction of Orizont vehicle is underway. The team decided not to publish pictures with the Orizont vehicle until the first public presentation which will take place in short time, but to inform preiodicaly about the construction progresses. The construction of this vehicle started with almost one year ago. The Orizont vehicle is designed to be able to meet all the requirements for the X Prize Cup Competition. The picture below is artist impression and the real vehicle may look different.

October 11, 2004 - RM. VALCEA
The ZIVOT Magazine from Slovakia published today an article about ARCA X Prize project and about Orizont vehicle.

October 4, 2004 - MOJAVE
SSO completed today it`s second flight for the X Prize Competition. ARCA Team members congratulate Scaled Composites for this major success, not only inthe X Prize Competition but also in cosmonautics in general. Now, all ARCA efforts will be redirected to the X Prize Cup.

September 16, 2004 – BUCHAREST
From the data we have until now, the Demonstrator 2B flight was at the highest altitude and speed achieved in the X Prize Competition with a liquid fuel rocket vehicle launched from the ground. Thank you very much to Ms. Andreea Tanase and Mr. Sebastian Lasse for those pictures.

September 9, 2004 – MIDIA CAPE
SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH!
Today, at the Air Force Launch Site from Midia Cape, on the Black Sea shore the Demonstrator 2B vehicle was launched. The vehicle was equipped with world first composite material reusable engine. Unfortunately the launch images from our cameras and Launch Site cameras will be available in a few days. More pictures on gallery

August 18, 2004 – Midia Cape
The launch date of the Demonstrator 2B rocket was set for September 8, 2004. The unmanned launch will take place from Midia Cape Air Force launch site, on the Black Sea shore. The Demonstrator 2B will be launched at a low altitude, below 5 000 m, mainly because of the launch site restrictions. The main objective for this flight will be to qualify for flight the world first composite materials monopropellant rocket engine. The engine that will boost the rocket already completed 28 ground tests.

July 28, 2004 - DRAGASANI
The engine of the Demonstrator 2B was mounted on the rocket structure. This is the world first composite materials reusable monopropellant rocket engine. With the same engine were completed over 20 ground tests.

July 15, 2004 - RM. VALCEA
ARCA finished the ground tests of the Demonstrator 2B engine, fuel tank and electric/electronics system. Right now we are working to the final assembly of the launch complex. The discussions with the authorities for the launch approvals are underway. The first launch is expected in short time. The exact date and location will be communicated as soon as the discussions will move forward.

July 14, 2004 – DRAGASANI
The lentgh of the launch pad of the Demonstrator 2B was incresed with 3.8m. This will allow to obtain a higher escape velocity for the vehicle. The lentgh of the launch pad for the first fligth will be 17m.

July 10, 2004 – RM. VALCEA
ARCA Chairman, Dumitru Popescu, offered today an interview for the Air&Cosmos French magazine about ARCA's projects and the X Prize Competition.

June 20, 2004 - BUCHAREST
Rompetrol and PSS companies offered new sponsorships to ARCA in order to help the team for the incoming launch of the Demonstrator 2B vehicle. ARCA members wish to thanks for those sponsorships.

May 30, 2004 – DRAGASANI
World first composite materials reusable monopropellant rocket engine was “pushed” today to full thrust for 20 sec. This major success was obtained after 11 preliminary tests in which the test team measured different parameters (temperature, pressure, fuel flow, etc). The engine is in perfect condition and is ready to resume tests at any time. In short time the engine will be tested at full time and then it will be placed on board of demonstrator rocket for the first flight.

May 22, 2004 – RAMNICU VALCEA
OLTCHIM, our sponsor, offered today a new quantity of hydrogen peroxide for engine tests and for the incoming flight.

April 22, 2004 – BUCHAREST
An Air Force anti-G suit was rented by ARCA for familiarization. Andrei Hapenciuc, our electronic responsible wear the suit and an official X Prize hat in those photos.

April 16-18, 2004 – LOS ANGELES
X PRIZE leaders from 12 teams gathered at a 2-day meeting in Los Angeles to trade experiences, discuss the future of sub-orbital tourism, and discuss the X PRIZE Cup. All participants considered the meeting a success. Team Leader Dumitru Popescu and Project Manager Bogdan Sburlea represented ARCA. More pictures on gallery.

April 1-3, 2004 – DRAGASANI
On April 1-3 the hydrogen peroxide monopropellant system completed four ground tests. On the last test we obtained 35% of the nominal thrust on 6 sec running. During this first test session we obtained all calculated parameters. At the end of April the system will be tested at full-specified thrust and time.

ARCA is proud to announce that from the data we have until now, the system tested on April 1-3 is the world first reusable monopropellant propulsion system integrally constructed from composite materials. Also, this is the most powerful Romanian liquid fuel engine ever constructed. X Prize Competition is not only a “booster” for private space industry, but also an opportunity for new technological achievements that will help both governmental and private companies to create more reliable space systems.” - Dumitru Popescu, ARCA Team Leader

March 24, 2004 – DRAGASANI
The injection head calibration tests for the monopropellant system were completed today. The number of injectors was established with almost no error, so the fuel flow in the reaction chamber will be controlled very accurate.

March 22, 2004 – RM. VALCEA
Today was deployed on ground, for the first time, the main parachute for the monopropellant demonstrator rocket. This action offered us some preliminary data. Ground tests at high-speed deployment will begin until the end of April.

March 21, 2004 – ULM
ARCA has a new sponsor. German company SHIRTCITY offered us equipment for the launch of the monopropellant demonstrator vehicle.

March 20, 2004 - BUCHAREST
The work to the flight computer of the monopropellant demonstrator vehicle is underway. The computer will control all the flight procedures of the vehicle from the start of the countdown until the main parachute ejection. The computer architecture and construction are integrally made by ARCA.

February 28, 2004 - RAMNICU VALCEA
Today was finished the work to the main parachute for the demonstrator vehicle. ARCA constructed this parachute because we couldn`t find one available on the market to meet the specifications. The ground deployment tests will begin in the next week.

February 20, 2004 - RM. VALCEA
The test stand for the first reaction chamber of the Demonstrator 2 was complete since January. Unfortunately the bad weather not allows us to go to the test site. Here are two pictures from the verification of the thrust digital device.

January 26, 2004 - RM. VALCEA
Today, members of ARCA and Rotary Club Rm. Valcea-Cozia have met. On this meeting Club members decided to offer a sponsorship to ARCA`s project and to establish a long term colaboration.

January 23, 2004 - RM. VALCEA
ARCA and Chamber of Commerce and Industry Valcea organized a meeting with businessmen from Ramnicu Valcea to support ARCA`s X Prize Project. Representatives from many companies attended the presentation and showed their intention to support our project. Next week, ARCA planned several presentations in other locations.

January 7, 2004– BUCHAREST
Today ARCA started discussions with authorities for the first rocket vehicle launch which will take place soon. After preliminary discussions, we have a potential launch site and resonable launch conditions.

January 6, 2004 – DRAGASANI
ARCA Team Leader, Dumitru Popescu: The weather is “impossible”. Temperatures are very low, it is snowing and our access to the test site is blocked. In fact the whole test site is a frozen marsh.

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