Bulgaria Sat-1, the first geostationary communications satellite in Bulgaria’s history, was launched by SpaceX from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 23 June, at 22:10 (EEST).

The satellite is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan and it deployed its solar arrays on schedule. It is expected tomorrow BulgariaSat-1 to propel itself toward its final position at geostationary orbit. BulgariaSat-1 will be located at the Bulgarian orbital position at 1.9° East longitude.

"When we started this space project more than 10 years ago, we clearly knew that what was need to complete it successfully was patience, commitment and a strong team. Today we launched our BulgariaSat-1, we stepped up a as one of the leading space nations in Europe and opened the path for the development of the related Bulgarian high-tech sectors and talented specialists. When one Bulgarian company succeeds, it is the Bulgarian business and the Bulgarian nation succeeding too," said Maxim Zayakov, CEO of Bulgaria Sat and Bulsatcom.

"BulgariaSat-1 is the first of its kind investment of such financial scale and strategic importance of a Bulgarian company and an evidence for the potential of Bulgaria’s high-tech industry. We demonstrate on a worldwide scale that Bulgaria stands the chance to focus and gains positioning in the development of new aspects of the space industry. I would like to congratulate the entire team of Bulgarian engineers working hard at all stages of the project. Good luck!", said **Rumen Radev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria **in a greeting address.

„A state can be deemed developed when its economy is knowledge-based, and when more and more of its companies develop and deliver innovative technology solutions and services that are widely accessible. Today we are witnessing how, thanks to the efforts of a Bulgarian company – Bulsatcom, our country heads the path of the technology advanced states and is harnessing the new telecommunications potential.”, said Boyko Borisov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria in his greeting address.