Romanian astronaut Dumitru Prunariu was awarded on Wednesday Honoris Causa title by the “Babes-Bolyai” University in Cluj for his involvement in the most important national and international activities that militate in favor of “peaceful exploitation of the outer space.”
UBB rector Ioan Aurel Pop said Prunariu is among those 550 people in the world that have flown in the outer space, ranking 103 position. “Prunariu is a benchmark for the youngsters to achieve their dreams,” the dean of the Science and Environment Engineering Faculty, Alexandru Ozunu also said.
After receiving the title, Dumitru Prunariu said he pleads for outer-space flights having human beings on board, asserting that exploring the outer space enables progress and engineering expansion. “The next step the humankind will take will be on Mars, as the planet have always been an inspiration source for scientists, but a flight to Mars will not be possible before 2030,” Prunariu, adding he is extremely honored to receive Honoris Causa title.
Asked when a Romanian will ever fly into the outer space, he said, “It is hard to tell”.
“The last selection within the European Space Agency has taken place in 2009. Six candidates were chosen out of 8,400, but only three of them actually flew in the outer space,” Prunariu explained.
Dumitru Prunariu, 62, was selected for spaceflight training in 1978 as a part of the Intercosmos Program. Obtaining the maximum marks during three years of preparation he was selected for a joint space flight with the Russian cosmonaut Leonid Popov. In May 1981 they completed an eight-day space mission on board Soyuz 40, staying there for eight days. Thus, Prunariu became the first Romanian and the 103rd human being to fly into the outer space.