In this interview, we sit down with Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu, a renowned Romanian cosmonaut and space expert, to explore his passion for space and its significance today. As the first and only Romanian to have flown in space, Prunariu brings a unique perspective, drawing from his four-decade career and extensive involvement in various space organizations.

Prunariu shares his thoughts on the importance of space exploration for leaders, its impact on companies and society, and what students can learn from his expertise. Join us on a fascinating journey through the cosmos with one of the most distinguished figures in space exploration.

As an expert, why are you so passionate about Space Exploration?

I had the chance at the age of 29 to acomplish a space flight as part of a government program, to work 8 days on board a space station and to continue my activity in the field after returning from space. Over the years, I have held various national and international positions, consultative or executive, which greatly broadened my scope and expertise in the cosmic field. It has been my main field of activity for over 40 years.

Why is this topic relevant for leaders?

Cosmic activities have become an integral part of our everyday life. Terrestrial phenomena and civil and military activities are highlighted and interpreted through high-resolution cosmic images in the visible or radar spectrum, including climate changes; global communications are ensured through telecommunications satellites; the weather is determined over long periods of time with the help of meteorological satellites; global navigation and positioning are possible only through satellite systems; various scientific and technological fields, including biological, medical, are developed through experiments carried out in outer space; many other activities that seem terrestrial necessarily include a significant outer space component. It is obvious that any leader must be informed in many fields of activity and make decisions, sometimes radical, wittingly, and a good part of this information and data is obtained and transmitted through space technologies.

How does this topic effect companies or society?

The annual turnover in the space field has exceeded 450 billion US dollars and is growing by 7-8% per year. The field involves one of the highest levels of innovation and technology. Businesses in the field of scientific research, innovation, development, industry and services become very profitable when the outer space is involved.

The quality of life of the citizen and society in general have increased substantially using the technologies and services developed from space activities. Let's just analyse how many applications we use almost daily that use information from satellites we have in our mobile phone. Just a few: Internet with all global audio/video applications, global telephony and messaging services, google maps, Waze, weather services, etc.

What will the students learn from you?

Almost everything they want to know about the space field: about present and future space programs, content, context and expectations, about piloted space flights, successes and problems resulting from them, about rockets, spaceships, orbital stations and life on board them, but also the preparation of astronauts to fly in space, cosmic institutions at the international level, such as the UN, ESA, IAF, IAA, COSPAR, elements of outer space geopolitics, legal aspects etc.

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Learn more: Executive MBA Space Architecture