Maxim Behar becomes first Seychellois to graduate from full NASA astronaut training |07 April 2026

Maxim Behar and wife Veneta (Photo: Contributed)

Maxim Behar, Seychelles Honorary Consul General in Bulgaria, has graduated successfully from the NASA Astronauts programme at the Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Mr Behar graduated with distinction from this programme at the centre, which prepares astronauts and other participants for American space missions and is considered one of the world's most prestigious training facilities. He was joined by his wife Veneta, who also graduated from the programme, alongside 20 other astronauts, including Christina Koch, mission specialist of the Artemis II Moon Space Programme, launched on April 1, 2026.

The training programme has limited access and is held once a year for a small number of participants from around the world. During the training, Mr Behar 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 programme is designed to replicate conditions as close as possible to real spaceflight.

 "I was honoured and proud to represent Seychelles in the NASA Space & Rocket Center and to wave our flag among the flags of many other countries. I will be happy to share my experience with Seychelles’ students and friends during my next visit to this beautiful country, and also to meet officials and to share my impressions,” said Mr Behar.

“The more our country is represented in such extraordinary events, the better for our image and also for our people, both in Seychelles and all over the world," he added.

Maxim Behar has been Seychelles' Honorary Consul General since 2004, and during these years, he undertook many initiatives to support Seychelles, including numerous significant donations, founding the Seychelles News Agency and the Seychelles NATION newspaper website, among others.

In 2024, he was awarded a recognition plaque by the Seychelles government and has received numerous international awards and medals in his capacity as Seychelles Honorary Consul General.  Mr Behar is a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School and also from the High Economic University in Prague, Czech Republic.

Contributed