The organized participation of Bulgarian scientists in space research started in 1969 with the creation of a Scientific Group of Space Physics (SGSP) at the Presidium of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.[1] In 1974, based on the SGSP, the Central Laboratory for Space Research (CLSR) was founded. Bulgarian scientists successfully participated in the Intercosmos program, preparing experiments and designing equipment for several satellites and rockets. In 1979, the first Bulgarian cosmonautGeorgi Ivanov flew in space on board of Soyuz 33. In 1981 two satellites were launched - Bulgaria 1300 and Meteor-Priroda 2-4 (Meteor 1-31), furnished entirely with Bulgarian equipment,[citation needed] aimed at studying the ionospheric-magnetospheric relationship and remote sensing of the Earth from space. In 1988 the second Bulgarian cosmonaut Alexandar Alexsandrov flew on board Soyuz TM-5 to the Mir space station.
The Space Research and Technology Institute (SRTI) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences succeeded the Central Laboratory for Space Research in 1987.
Scope
The field of activity of SRTI ranges over fundamental and applied investigations in space physics, astrophysics, image processing, remote sensing, life sciences, scientific equipment, preparation and implementation of experiments in the area of space exploration and usage from the board of automatic and piloted spacecraft, investigation on control systems, air- and spacecraft and equipment for them, activity for creation of cosmic materials and technologies and their transfer in the national economy, education of post-graduate students and master's degrees.
Bulgaria
