Thinking about our future globally, space has strategic importance for our society. Bulgaria has considerable experience in the field, which gives it the necessary capacity to contribute to the development of space technologies in Europe and the world. This is a great opportunity for Bulgaria to participate in the development of new markets and technologies, as well as securing the necessary resources for their implementation.
The Ministry of Innovation and Growth, in the person of Minister Milena Stoicheva, is working closely with the European Commission, the European Space Agency and NASA to create a high-value space, technological and economic capacity for our country. Following the signing of the Artemis Accords with NASA in November 2023, the Republic of Bulgaria became the 32nd country to actively participate in deepening international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space and to strengthen its strategic international partnership in the field of Space Technology. Investment and development opportunities under various EU space-related programmes will ensure that new markets are opened up to SMEs in Bulgaria, and to companies in high-tech sectors.
In connection with this process of “legalization” of our country as a factor with serious potential in the field of space and space technologies, On 26.03.24 in the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, Minister Stoycheva held a working meeting with a World Leader, developer of Space Stations with infrastructures for people, as well as flight Space missions. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association (BAIA) in the person of Mr. Todor Ivandjikov – President of BAIA, the PR team of BAIA and Nikolay Kalaydzhiev, four-time World Record Holder in Light Aviation. The Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association’s (BAIA) main goal is to boost the development of our aviation industry and Bulgaria to become a significant aviation center at European and World level, as well as to work on attracting more young people to aviation, with the aim of generational continuity. Space technology and spaceflight is the next step forward for which BAIA will work with Government and Space companies.
They discussed the possibilities for our country to be included in the next Space Programme with the participation of our astronaut, which would ensure the involvement of Bulgarian innovative companies in the testing and validation of new technologies in a real space environment. It is also important to note the image that such a global project would provide for Bulgaria.
The optimistic results of the past meetings and talks give us hope that the Ministry of Innovation and Growth and BAIA will be able to successfully implement their plans and put Bulgaria and Bulgarian business back on the Space Map.
