President Iliyana Yotova received Maxim and Veneta Behar following their space training in the United States.
May, 2026
President Iliyana Yotova received today our CEO Maxim Behar and his wife Veneta following their return from specialized space training in the United States.
The two became the first Bulgarians to graduate with distinction from the advanced participants program at the NASA U.S. Space & Rocket Center one of the most prestigious astronaut training facilities in the world.
President Yotova congratulated the family on their exceptional achievement and emphasized that this is a wonderful example for many more Bulgarians who would like to experience the unique connection with space and feel the dynamics of the training process.
During the meeting, they discussed the role of such initiatives in promoting not only science, but also astronautics, space technologies, and engineering disciplines fields that are fundamental to future technological development and the competitiveness of any modern economy.
“The most important thing for us is that this experience shows and proves that there are no limits. If you can imagine something, you can achieve it. We hope more young Bulgarians will dare to follow this path!” commented Maxim Behar.
Maxim and Veneta Behar completed the intensive program with the support of the “Hello, Space!” project of the Atlantic Club in Bulgaria. The program is an international initiative with limited access, held once a year for a small number of participants from around the world. As part of the training, Veneta and Maxim took part in realistic simulations of space missions from working in zero gravity and EVA training to operating systems and conducting a full mission to Mars. The program recreates conditions as close as possible to real space flights.
For all space and astronautics enthusiasts, the “Hello, Space! Bulgaria Speaking” festival will soon take place in Sofia. It will be held on June 26–27, 2026, at Sofia Tech Park and, for the sixth consecutive year, will bring together scientists, engineers, and thousands of young people inspired by science, technology, and space.
