The Bulgarian government has approved a draft memorandum of understanding with local satellite manufacturer EnduroSat to cooperate on developing a new space and defense innovation center at Dobroslavtsi Air Base near the capital Sofia. The project aims to establish an integrated infrastructure for assembling, testing and qualifying new satellites, in addition to supporting space and defense development activities in the country.
The move comes as Bulgaria works to strengthen its position as a European space hub, separately from the European Space Agency, while other local space companies expand their capabilities. Bulgaria does not have a national space agency, but it is also preparing to establish the National Center for Space-Data-Based Observation, Coordination and Management, according to a statement issued by the office of Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev on August 6.
Assembly, Testing and Qualification Center
Radev said the project reflects the government’s economic policy, which is based on investing in the knowledge economy, high-tech manufacturing and research and development. He added that the goal is to transform Bulgaria from a country that consumes technologies into one that works to produce them.
Raycho Raychev, founder and chief executive officer of EnduroSat, described the project as complex and large, explaining that the ambition is to turn Dobroslavtsi Air Base into one of Europe’s largest space and defense development centers. He said the proposed center would provide a comprehensive system for assembling, testing and qualifying new generations of satellites.
A Growing Local Space Ecosystem
Sfera Technologies, which specializes in Earth-observation data, is also following the project. The company is working to build an integrated system to help accelerate the delivery of observation data.
Zdravko Dimitrov, the company’s founder and chief executive officer, said Bulgaria represents a rare European example of a country that possesses almost most of the components of the space-technology value chain, including modern ground-segment services for satellites operating in low Earth, medium Earth and geostationary Earth orbits; satellite manufacturing and assembly, integration and testing operations; as well as sovereign geostationary communications capability and a legacy in space and planetary sciences dating back to the 1970s.
Dimitrov added that Bulgaria’s space sector is fragmented and that the idea behind the Dobroslavtsi initiative is to establish a center that supports the sector’s growth. He also noted that the presence of talent and educational institutions, including Sofia University, which has a strong aerospace-engineering program, represents one of the country’s main strengths.
Sfera’s Growth Plans
Sfera Technologies is seeking to expand its business in parallel with the rise in space activity in Bulgaria. Dimitrov said the company plans to support about 12 satellites by the end of 2026, amid growing demand for ground-segment services and integrated data delivery.
In 2027, the company intends to expand its ground-station infrastructure and acquire ground stations of its own. Sfera is currently focusing on the European Union market while exploring opportunities in the United States and Southeast Asia, where demand for these capabilities is increasing.