To date, 194 Bulgarian organizations have registered under European Space Agency (ESA) procedures, and 54 projects worth nearly EUR 10.6 million have been completed, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation Mira Yosifova said at the 33rd meeting of the ESA Plan for European Cooperating States (PECS) Committee in Paris. Yosifova presented Bulgaria’s progress and the actions and initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation to develop the country’s space sector, according to a statement on the official website of the Innovation Ministry.
Yosifova said that the most important outcome of these projects is the industrial, scientific, and institutional capacity that has been accumulated.
“Bulgaria continues to strengthen its position in the space sector. The participation of Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Innovation Minister Ivan Vasilev in the International Space Summit, as well as their meeting with ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, reaffirmed the strategic importance our country attaches to space technologies and to deepening our cooperation with ESA,” Yosifova said at the start of the meeting, as cited by the Ministry’s press service.
She said she believes that Bulgaria can become a key part of European space sector value chains by securing specific, competitive positions within them. She highlighted the successes of Bulgarian companies in the sector to the European agency and representatives from various countries.
“In July, EnduroSat reached a significant milestone, 100 satellites in orbit, having delivered over 200 spacecraft for missions worldwide to date. On September 16, the company raised USD 205 million (approximately EUR 178 million) in a funding round, backed by the European Innovation Council, alongside leading international funds,” she explained. She placed particular emphasis on the memorandum between the Bulgarian company and the French Arianespace, signed at the Elysee Palace during the International Space Summit in Paris. Under this agreement, EnduroSat plans to use the Ariane 6 rocket starting in 2029 to launch its clients’ satellites into orbit.
Yosifova also highlighted the steps taken to develop the High-Tech Industrial Park and Space and Defence R&D Centre – Dobroslavtsi. She noted that the ecosystem thrives when the state and business sector work in partnership and complement each other: the state establishes the framework and a favourable environment, while companies transform these opportunities into technologies, products, and markets that benefit the entire economy.
At the meeting, Yosifova underscored the scientific and expert potential of Bulgarian research institutes and universities. She outlined specific measures taken to foster closer cooperation among all participants in the ecosystem. She also highlighted another initiative being developed in cooperation with ESA.
“Together with ESA, we are developing a Space Activities Support Centre, which will serve as the foundation for a future incubator,” the Deputy Minister noted.
Yosifova reported that the update to the Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization, currently being worked on by the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, includes the addition of a dedicated thematic area: “Space Technologies and Dual-Use Technologies”.
“We plan to draft a National Space Strategy by the end of the year and to launch a national program in 2027 for strategic innovation sectors such as space technologies, microelectronics, and dual-use technologies,” Yosifova further explained.
According to her, the Ministry is committed to advancing Bulgaria to the next stage of its partnership with ESA, namely, associate membership.
The Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation and the European Space Agency will hold an information event on October 6 and 7 focusing on new support opportunities for Bulgaria’s space sector. The event will take place at Sofia Tech Park in the capital.
Bulgarian Organizations Completed 54 European Space Agency Projects Worth Nearly EUR 10.6 Million, Deputy Innovation Minister Says THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-21 13:52:42
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