The Association of Romanian Cosmonautics and Aeronautics (ARCA) has launched successfully on Oct. 1, within the Google Lunar X Prize competition, the Helen 2 rocket, the first Romanian rocket ever launched into space.

The launch, fourth attempt successful, took place off the Black Sea coast, from the military ship NSSL 281 Constanta, accompanied by Fulgerul and Bombard fast boats.

ARCA President Dumitru Popescu announced, in a press conference, that the launch took place by using a carrier balloon above the Black Sea, 20 kilometers from the coast. The balloon ascent took 40 minutes, to an altitude of 14,000 meters, when the its top speed reached 120 kilometers per hour. At this altitude, the rocket was commanded to start the engine for 30 seconds, placing the it at an altitude of about 40,000 meters.

That was followed by the re-entry into atmosphere of the launch elements, but the rocket capsule was not identified.

ARCA further prepares the launch of another larger rocket - HAAS - next year, likely above the Atlantic Ocean