Endurosat Will Build a Huge Space and Defense Center in Dobroslavtsi

The Bulgarian satellite technology and services company Endurosat plans to build one of the largest space and defense R&D centers in Europe on the site of the former airport in Dobroslavtsi. This was announced by the company’s founder, Raicho Raichev, during a site visit with Prime Minister Rumen Radev.

Today marked the official launch of the Dobroslavtsi high-tech industrial park and space and defense R&D center. On Wednesday, during a meeting of the Council of Ministers, a draft Memorandum of Understanding regarding cooperation between the Bulgarian government and the company Starbase Europe EOOD – which will implement this priority investment project – was approved. The company is also owned by Raicho Raichev.

The project is very complex and large-scale. Our ambition is to establish a comprehensive center here for the assembly, testing, and certification of new-generation satellites, as well as a research and educational campus,” Raichev said, as quoted by the government press center.

Raichev further explained that the first phase of the project will last three years, during which the runway’s operational capability will be fully restored, a vast green area will be created, and the first section of the Industrial Park will be built. Dobroslavtsi Airport itself ceased active flight operations 25 years ago.

Our plan is directly linked to Endurosat, which specializes in the construction and deployment of satellites and in-orbit infrastructure. “Our new generation of satellites already exceeds 1–2 metric tons in mass, and when a satellite unfolds its solar panels, it is as long as a Boeing 737. That’s why we need such a large space,” the entrepreneur explained.

His company’s ambition is for the Dobroslavtsi facility to handle the complete assembly, testing, and certification of the latest-generation satellites, for which there are already customers.

During his visit, Prime Minister Radev stated that “starting today, we are opening our doors to innovative Bulgarian companies and innovative Bulgarian business leaders who have bold ambitions, bold visions, and, above all, proven international success in the field of innovative industries.”

The mayor of Novi Iskar, Vladislav Vladimirov, welcomed the launch of the project and emphasized its importance for the region’s development.

Everything that is happening right now will lead to positive development for the region, create new jobs, and breathe new life into an area that had been left to fall into disrepair,” Vladimirov said.

Translated with DeepL.