HELLO, SPACE! THIS IS NASA SPEAKING! – “The Artemis Generation:

How International Cooperation Will Fuel Our Journey to the Moon and Beyond”

On October 21, 2024, a special lecture was held at Sofia University by NASA Administrator – Bill Nelson.

The event was organized by the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria, the Student Diplomatic Club, and the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, bringing together school pupils, university students, and guests from various institutions. The lecture took place in the Aula of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and was part of the youth festival Hello Space.

The Artemis Generation and Bulgaria’s Role

Bill Nelson’s visit took place in the context of Bulgaria’s accession to the Artemis Accords – an international framework for cooperation in lunar and deep-space missions. In this context, his lecture, titled “The Artemis Generation: How International Cooperation Will Fuel Our Journey to the Moon and Beyond”, highlighted the importance of global partnerships in humanity’s return to the Moon.

Nelson emphasized that it is the new generation – the students in the room – who will be part of this historic mission. According to him, Bulgaria’s participation in the Artemis program opens opportunities for young people to contribute directly to the future of space exploration – whether through engineering, science, technology, or international coordination. This is the generation that will see the first woman and the next man set foot on the Moon – and potentially the first human on Mars.

Following the main lecture, a special discussion with Mr. Nelson was held in the “Egg” Hall, moderated by the President of the Atlantic Club, Dr. Solomon Passy. The discussion enabled an in-depth dialogue and raised questions about humanity’s future in space, along with Bulgaria’s place in it.

The event became a symbolic meeting point between NASA’s vision and the aspirations of Bulgaria’s new generation — a generation ready to take part in humanity’s next giant leap beyond the bounds of Earth.