King Simeon II of Bulgaria Congratulated Maxim and Veneta Behar After Their U.S. Space Training
His Majesty Simeon II of Bulgaria received the PR expert Maxim Behar and his wife Veneta at the royal residence Vrana Palace in Sofia following their return from specialized space training in the United States. The meeting took place yesterday, just days after they became the first Bulgarians to graduate with distinction from the advanced program at the NASA U.S. Space & Rocket Center – one of the most prestigious astronaut training centers in the world.
“This is an achievement Bulgaria can be proud of. Being first means paving the way and, in your case, it is a path that inspires young people to think boldly, take an interest in science, and see space as a real opportunity,” His Majesty said during the meeting.
During the visit, they discussed the role of such initiatives in promoting not only science, but also astronautics (the science of space travel), space technologies, and engineering – fields that are fundamental to future technological development and the competitiveness of any modern economy. The importance of strong role models was also emphasized, as a way to encourage young people in Bulgaria to pursue education and careers in space exploration and high-tech industries.
“The most important thing for us is that this experience proves 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, CEO of M3 Communications Group, Inc.
Maxim and Veneta Behar completed the intensive program as part of the “Hello, Space! Bulgaria Calling” initiative, organized by the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria. This is an international program with limited access, held once a year for a small number of participants from around the world. During the training, they took part in realistic space mission simulations, including working in zero-gravity conditions, EVA (Extravehicular Activity) training (simulated spacewalks), operating spacecraft systems, and executing a full mission scenario to Mars. The program is designed to replicate conditions as close as possible to real spaceflight.
The “Hello, Space! Bulgaria Calling” Festival will take place on June 26–27, 2026, at Sofia Tech Park. For the sixth consecutive year, it will bring together scientists, engineers, and thousands of young people inspired by science, technology, and space exploration.