EnduroSat has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bulgarian government to redevelop the former Dobroslavtsi military airbase near Sofia into a space and defence development centre. The 290-hectare site, about 15 km from the capital, is planned to house satellite manufacturing, research and development, testing, education and logistics in one complex.
The first phase is scheduled to take three years and covers runway restoration and extension, the delivery of initial industrial buildings and the creation of a large green area across the site. EnduroSat has described the project as potentially Europe’s largest space research and development centre, as its newer satellites require more space for assembly, integration, testing and qualification.
The redevelopment also includes an education campus linked to a master’s programme in Space Engineering & Technology developed with Sofia University, the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev joined EnduroSat founder and chief executive Raycho Raychev at the site for the announcement. The project will be carried out through Starbase Europe EOOD, the vehicle behind the priority investment scheme owned by Raychev.