By the end of 2021, 39 Bulgarian projects have been funded by the European Space Agency. This was announced by the Minister of Economy and Industry Nikola Stojanov during the ceremony “50 years Bulgaria – a space state”, organized by the Space Research and Technology Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The event was opened by President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, under whose patronage the anniversary celebrations are being held.
Since 2015, Bulgaria has an agreement with the European Space Agency. For a period of 6 years, until 2021, 127 companies have participated in the Agency’s tenders and 39 projects worth over BGN 12 million are being implemented. The projects are related to Earth observation, space science and technology, telecommunications, etc., it became clear from the statement of the Minister of Economy.
“Bulgaria can boast a number of successes in many areas of science. However, space research is certainly at the top of this list and is one of the reasons that at certain times have made the world talk about Bulgaria and Bulgarian scientists,” Minister Stojanov emphasized. He congratulated all those who have contributed to the development of space research in Bulgaria. “I know that over the past five decades there have been highs and lows. Historical successes, but also huge difficulties. Half a century later, however, we can definitely say one thing: Bulgaria is one of the countries with serious achievements in this field,” Minister Nikola Stojanov underscored.
The official opening was attended by the Director of the Space Research and Technology Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Prof. Dr. Georgi Zhelev, the Chairman of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. Julian Revalski, the Commander of the Air Force Dimitar Petrov, astronauts Georgi Ivanov and Alexander Alexandrov, and others.