Space Research and Technology Institute marks 50 years since it was established

Bulgaria’s Institute for Space Research and Technology on November 15 opened doors to visitors on the occasion of 50 years since its establishment. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the equipment, labs and simulator, as well as to taste space food.

More than 150 devices and systems have been created by Bulgarians and used in space missions.

Prof. Dr. Rumen Nedkov, Director of the Institute for Space Research and Technology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences: The first Bulgarian equiment works in the field of space physics and measures electric magnetic fields. These are the first sensors.

Launched on December 1, 1972, this machine remains in history to give way to much smaller equipment.

Prof. Dr. Rumen Nedkov, Director of the Institute of Space Research and Technology, BAS: This small apparatus is currently flying around Mars and transmits information about the radiation situation.

At the Institute, visitors can see and taste the food for astronauts. The more exotic menu items include beans and boza.

Rosen Florov, Bulgarian Space Food Expert: Foods that are prepared as lyophilized usually lose up to 8 times the moisture, from the water they carry, for about two days. Try this banana. It is a little strange in taste, but it has certainly retained all its valuable ingredients.

At the Institute you can also see a space greenhouse, photos of the first Bulgarian astronaut Georgi Ivanov and even a professional training simulator for training of UAV operators.