Merits in Space Exploration. On 15 November 2011, Prunariu was elected as an Honorary Member of the Romanian Academy. Prunariu is a Doctor Honoris Causa of several universities from Romania, Republic of Moldova and USA. Prunariu is an honorary citizen of several cities in Romania. The inner main-belt asteroid 10707 Prunariu, discovered by American astronomer Schelte Bus at the Californian Palomar Observatory in 1981, was named in his honor on 13 April 2017 (). See also Dumitru Dediu References External links Website of the Romanian Space Agency Spacefacts biography of Dumitru Prunariu Cosmonautul Prunariu, trimis în rezervă ("Cosmonaut Prunariu, discharged from active duty"), in Adevărul, 7 February 2007 O cariera cosmica: Dumitru Prunariu , in Cariere, Mai 6, 2003 1952 births Living people Romanian Air Force generals Romanian aerospace engineers Romanian cosmonauts Politehnica University of Bucharest alumni People from Brașov Ambassadors of Romania to Russia Grand Officers of the Order of the Star of Romania Heroes of the Soviet Union Recipients of the Order of Lenin Honorary members of the Romanian Academy Recipients of the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration" Salyut program cosmonauts Romanian generals