site.btaSpace Research Lab Unveiled at Air Force Academy

A space research laboratory was inaugurated at the Georgi Benkovski Air Force Academy in Dolna Mitropoliya on Wednesday. It has been built by Sofia-headquartered aerospace manufacturer EnduroSat in partnership with the Academy.

The lab provides 12 jobs equipped with computer systems and eight jobs for practical work with satellites, intended for trainees working towards a Master's degree in space engineering and technology. The Air Force Academy will thus raise the quality of space education and will improve theoretical and practical training under the Master's programme.

Unveiling the lab, EnduroSat founder and CEO Raycho Raychev said that the Academy has been provided with the cutting-edge computer systems equipped with all possible software for the creation of a space mission: from engineering the satellite itself to the integration of the useful cargo, such as cameras or a radar, to the orbital operations.

This is the third laboratory built by EnduroSat at a higher education establishment in Bulgaria. The other two labs are at the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna and at the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia. All three establishments will begin teaching the Master''s programme in space engineering and technology this autumn, with 75% practical classes. Those studying in the programme will have access to satellites of the company that are in orbit, will cooperate with some of the leading centres in the world, will be taught by lecturers from universities considered leaders in space research. 

Georgi Benkovski Air Force Academy head Yulian Radoyski said that the Academy produces cadets for the Air Force and why not for the space force one day, given that every developed nation already has space forces in their armed forces. He presented Raychev with a plaquette of the Academy in gratitude for his contribution to aviation education.

EnduroSat is one of the world's most rapidly developing nanosatellite makers and one of Bulgaria's main employers in the space industry.