01 / Mission
A strategic initiative for the national aerospace ecosystem
The Aerospace Association of Moldova (AARM) is a strategic initiative that aims to build the aerospace ecosystem of the Republic of Moldova: a National Aerospace Center, nanosatellite programs, UAV systems, satellite-data services for agriculture and governance, education programs, and a 2026-2032+ roadmap.
At the core of the proposal is the creation of a National Aerospace Center, supported by four directions: creating high-skill jobs and supporting startups; deep academic synergies with the Technical University of Moldova (UTM) for knowledge transfer and teacher training; attracting foreign investment and specialized European aerospace companies; launching international research and development and technology-transfer programs.
The intended positioning: Moldova as an agile regional hub for satellite services, stratospheric technologies, and UAV systems.
The ultimate mission is the establishment of the Moldova Aerospace Agency as an essential catalyst for accelerating European integration.
02 / Why now
The strategic imperative
New Space Economy
The privatization of the space sector and democratized access to space and satellite data have created massive commercial opportunities. Small states can now enter value chains that were once reserved for the major space powers.
Security and positioning
The evolving strategic context demands technological independence and advanced capabilities for national territory monitoring.
Diaspora activation
Moldovan expertise is already integrated into European space agencies and programs. AARM aims to connect this know-how with institutions and companies at home.
03 / European analogies
Small nations that have succeeded in space
European models show that success in the space domain does not depend on the size of a country, but on the clarity of its strategic focus.
| Country | Strategic focus | Proven result |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | CubeSats and industrial integration with ESA | Rapid emergence of startups, integration into EU supply chains |
| Ireland | Education and software technologies, initially without a heavy-infrastructure agency | Massive educational impact at low infrastructure cost |
| Estonia | Digital governance, data integration in public services | Massive growth of niche technology exports |
| Latvia | Capturing ESA contracts, creating spin-offs | ESA return coefficient of 0.95; 10+ commercial companies in space programs |
Moldova can replicate a hybrid model that combines Estonia's digital agility with Portugal's hardware integration.
04 / Founding team
Human capital with European experience
A founding team with direct operational experience in the largest European space programs.
Victor Miherea
Founding member
System Architecture (France / Italy / ESA BIC Alumni)
Dumitrița Sandu
Founding member
System Architecture (France / Italy / ESA BIC Alumni)
Anatol Cojocari
Founding member
Spacecraft Operations Engineer, Copernicus Sentinel-2 (ESA/ESOC, Telespazio Germany)
Andrei Spinu
Founding member
Management Engineer, Satellite Communications (France / Italy / UK)
Mihai Racu
Founding member
Engineering Manager, Software Architecture (Moldova)
Artur Antipca
Founding member
Aerodynamics Technology Leader (Italy)
05 / Values
The principles that guide the association
Engineering rigor
Decisions based on data, European standards, and verifiable operational experience.
Institutional honesty
We communicate the real status of every partnership and every program, without unfounded promises.
Education and talent retention
Training young engineers and researchers and keeping them at home is the foundation of every program.
European integration
Every stage of the roadmap brings Moldova closer to European space programs and institutions.