Politehnica Bucharest National University of Science and Technology , through the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, in partnership with the Romanian Space Agency and the European Space Agency, will organise from 7 to 9 May the fourth edition of SpaceFEST, the largest festival dedicated to space exploration in Central and Eastern Europe.

According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Tuesday, this year's edition, hosted as usual on the Politehnica campus, marks a special moment, as for the first time the public in Romania will have the opportunity to meet Charles Duke, one of the only 12 people who have walked on the Moon.

A member of the Apollo 16 mission, he remains to this day the youngest astronaut to have reached the lunar surface.

Joining him in Bucharest will also be Nicole Stott, a NASA astronaut with over 100 days spent in space. Recognised not only for her technical contributions but also for her artistic side, she is the first person to have created a watercolour painting in space, proof that cosmic exploration goes beyond the boundaries of science and reaches into the realm of human inspiration, the press release reads.

'We want SpaceFEST 2026 to be more than a festival, we want this event to represent an experience that inspires, educates and opens new perspectives for young people. In a world where technology is evolving rapidly, it is essential to provide direct access to authentic role models, to people who have pushed beyond known limits. Charles Duke's presence has a truly special significance, we are talking about one of the only 12 people who have walked on the Moon, lunar module pilot on the Apollo 16 mission and, to this day, the youngest astronaut to have reached the lunar surface. His experience is not only about impressive figures or records, but also about contributions to some of the most complex missions in history, events that have forever changed the way we view space exploration. For Romania, such moments are unique. We aim to bring closer to the general public, to pupils and students, but also to all those passionate about science, the opportunity to interact directly with people who have written history,' Politehnica Bucharest National University of Science and Technology Rector Mihnea Costoiu is quoted in the release as saying.

According to him, Nicole Stott's presence completes this experience, offering the public in Romania the chance to discover not only extraordinary stories, but also the inspiration needed to dream further.

For three days, the university campus will be transformed into a hub of innovation and discovery, bringing together specialists, researchers, students and the general public in a dialogue about the future of space exploration.

The programme includes exhibitions of aerospace technology and cutting-edge innovations, flight simulators and interactive experiences, robotics demonstrations and rocket launches, educational and creative activities for children and young people, as well as VR and AR experiences dedicated to exploring the cosmos.

This year's edition also features the European SpaceFEST Summit, a platform for dialogue dedicated to the aerospace industry in Romania and Europe. The event will highlight essential topics such as research, innovation and regulation in the area, the quoted source added.

'Through SpaceFEST, Politehnica Bucharest continues to promote education, research and a passion for science, offering the public a unique opportunity to interact directly with personalities who have contributed to the history of space exploration. Meetings with world-class astronauts, interactive experiences and access to the latest technologies turn this event into a landmark for all those fascinated by the universe, from pupils and students to professionals and families,' the organisers also said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Roberto Stan; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)