Space Research and Technology Institute, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTI-BAS)

What Space Research and Technology Institute, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTI-BAS) does

The Space Research and Technology Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTI-BAS, Институт за космически изследвания и технологии / ИКИТ-БАН) is a public-sector research institute headquartered in Sofia at Acad. Georgi Bonchev str. block 1, with a branch in Stara Zagora. Founded in 1969 as the Scientific Group on Space Physics, it has operated under several names (ЦЛКИ, ИКИ, ИКСИ) before adopting the current SRTI-BAS configuration in 2012. Its mission is fundamental and applied research in space physics, remote sensing of Earth and planets, and aerospace systems and technologies, with additional work in space materials science, nanotechnology, medico-biological studies, and astrophysics.

SRTI-BAS operates a portfolio of research infrastructure rather than commercial products. Core deliverables include the peer-reviewed journal Aerospace Research in Bulgaria (founded 1978, indexed in ESCI, INSPIRE-HEP, ADS), the annual Space, Ecology, Safety (SES) international scientific conference (22nd edition scheduled for 2026), and the IKAMOS (Information Complex for Aerospace Monitoring of the Environment) infrastructure comprising field measurement complexes, a remote-sensing data processing laboratory, and a UAV operator training laboratory. Cumulative output as of 2025 totals 3,699 publications, 9,318 citations, 316 projects, and 110 patents/inventions/utility models, with 199 publications, 879 citations, 51 projects, and 10 new IP filings recorded in 2025 alone.

The institute is funded through national budget allocations from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Education and Science, supplemented by EU framework program grants, bilateral research agreements, procurement contracts (e.g., for UAV systems and IKAMOS equipment), publication fees (EUR 100/paper for the journal), conference participation fees, and rental income from institute-owned properties. It does not operate a commercial pricing model. Customers are primarily other research institutions, Bulgarian and international government agencies, and educational organizations served through the Space School outreach initiative.

Name

Space Research and Technology Institute, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTI-BAS)

Website

https://space.bas.bg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Space Research and Technology Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTI-BAS) is a Bulgarian public research institute conducting fundamental and applied studies in space physics, Earth/planetary remote sensing, and aerospace technologies, serving national and international research institutions, government agencies, and educational organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713), Space Research and Technology (927110)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK), Scientific & Laboratory Reference (Chemistry, Biology, Physics; Methods & Protocols) (EDAGAGAG), Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)

Keywords

• Space physics research
• Remote sensing services
• Aerospace technology development
• Earth observation monitoring
• Space materials science

Headquarters

HQ city

Sofia

HQ country

Bulgaria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Projects: SRTI-BAS conducts fundamental and applied research funded through national and international research grants and projects, including European Union programs, bilateral agreements, and government funding for scientific programs such as the 'BULGARIA 1300' scientific programme
2. Journal Publication Fees: The institute publishes 'Aerospace Research in Bulgaria' journal and charges a publication fee of 100 EUR per accepted paper
3. Procurement and Contract Services: Public procurement contracts for equipment, services, and research-related supplies, including drone systems for aerial mapping and other specialized aerospace equipment
4. Property Rental Income: Rental of institute-owned premises including offices, production spaces, and warehouses in Sofia and Stara Zagora locations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SRTI-BAS conducts fundamental and applied scientific research in space physics, remote sensing of Earth and planets, and aerospace technologies, operating as a research institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The institute delivers research services across six priority areas: solar-terrestrial and space physics, astrophysics, medico-biological studies, remote sensing of Earth and planets, space materials science and nanotechnology, and innovative aerospace instrumentation. It disseminates outputs through the peer-reviewed "Aerospace Research in Bulgaria" journal, the annual SES international conference, books and monographs, and bilateral research collaborations.

Product overview

SRTI-BAS is a research institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, not a product company. It operates a portfolio of scientific publications and research infrastructure rather than commercial products. Its core offerings include the Aerospace Research in Bulgaria journal (a peer-reviewed scientific publication), the annual Space, Ecology, Safety (SES) International Scientific Conference, and the IKAMOS (Information Complex for Aerospace Monitoring of the Environment) system comprising field measurement complexes, data processing laboratories, and UAV operator training facilities. The institute also provides research services in remote sensing, solar-terrestrial physics, space materials science, and aerospace technology development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 199 scientific publications in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NASA Johnson Space Center - Earth Science and Remote Sensing UnitcoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with NASA Johnson Space Center Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit for Earth observation data access and scientific research cooperation. SRTI-BAS links to NASA's Earth Science and Remote Sensing data sources.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner organization in space research and technology development. Mentioned in Med-e-Tel proceedings and international research collaborations.
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization mentioned in SRTI-BAS's international research collaboration networks.
• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN body for outer space affairs referenced in international research collaborations.
• DigitalGlobe FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing organization to the 'Sofia from Space' educational album project, providing satellite imagery data.
• NAIM-BAS (National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology - BAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing scientists from NAIM-BAS to the 'Sofia from Space' album including Corr. Mem. Vassil Nikolov, Dr. Andrey Aladzhov, Dr. Mario Ivanov, Snezhana Goryanova. Inter-institutional collaboration within Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
• Bulgarian Astronautical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the annual international scientific conference 'Space, Ecology, Safety - SES' alongside SRTI-BAS and Municipality of Stara Zagora.
• Municipality of Stara ZagoraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal co-organizer of the annual SES conference, hosting events in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
• Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent institution of SRTI-BAS. The institute is an integral part of BAS's research infrastructure, operating under BAS governance and participating in BAS-wide initiatives including the 'Young Scientists and Postdoctoral Researchers' program (MUPD-2) funded by MON.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• National Institute for Aerospace Research (INCAS), Romania: Romanian aerospace research institute conducting aeronautics, space, and atmospheric research. Closest geographic peer to SRTI-BAS with comparable disciplinary mix and academy/government affiliation.
• National Observatory of Athens (NOA): Greek national research center conducting space physics, atmospheric research, and Earth observation. Comparable to SRTI-BAS in research portfolio and regional positioning in Southeast/Eastern Europe.
• Czech Space Office: Czech national coordinator for space research and ESA cooperation. Comparable to SRTI-BAS in coordinating national space R&D and interfacing with ESA in a small Central European country context.
• Hellenic Space Center (HSC) / Greek Space Agency: Greek national space agency coordinating space research and policy. Comparable to SRTI-BAS as a small Southeast European national space research coordination entity with similar geographic and resource constraints.

Broad incumbents

• European Space Agency (ESA): Pan-European space agency that funds and coordinates space research across member states including Bulgaria. SRTI-BAS is a collaborating partner; ESA represents the broader institutional ecosystem in which the institute operates.
• Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF): Italian national research organization for astronomical and astrophysical research. Overlaps with SRTI-BAS in astrophysics and high-energy astrophysics research but operates as a much larger, multi-site institute.
• German Aerospace Center (DLR): Germany's national aerospace research center operating across space, aeronautics, energy, and transportation. Overlaps with SRTI-BAS in space physics, remote sensing, and aerospace instrumentation but at vastly larger scale and scope.

Direct peers

• Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences (IWF): A national academy space research institute conducting space physics, magnetosphere, and aerospace instrumentation research in Austria. Structurally and operationally comparable to SRTI-BAS as a small European academy-of-sciences space research organization with similar scope of activity.
• Space Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences (CBK PAN): A Central European academy space research institute focused on space physics, planetary research, and remote sensing. Highly comparable to SRTI-BAS in mission, governance under a national academy, and disciplinary coverage.
• Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences: Hungarian academy research center covering astrophysics, geodesy, geophysics, and space research. Comparable to SRTI-BAS as a small Central European academy institute conducting fundamental space and Earth sciences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=GOAEIMx39-w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/space-research-and-technology-institute-bulgarian-academy-of-sciences-srti-bas-

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Space Research and Technology Institute, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTI-BAS)