US$ 20mn invested in Lanka’s first space academy

31 July 2012 04:26 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka’s first space academy is to be built next year through an investment of US$ 20 million, through a joint venture between Supreme Satellite Private Limited Colombo and Great Wall Industry Corporation of China (CGWIC).

The new space academy is to be set up in a 30 acre land in the Koggala area to train Sri Lankans in space and satellite technology with the aim of promoting space science in the country.

“The mission is to inspire thousands of young people and encourage them to look to space for a career. It will use the Chinese world-class expertise in space science to further boost the size and quality of Sri Lanka’s science and engineering pool, providing the country with skilled workers who can boost the growth of our economy,” SupremeSAT Managing Director R.M. Manivannan said.

The academy will provide training in space technology and the handling of communication satellite operations initially in China, with an ultimate objective of training astronauts locally, according to Manivannan.

“Gone are the days when younger Sri Lankans searched for greener pastures overseas. We are rebuilding an economy which offers cutting edge technological sector opportunities such as our satellite venture. This will reverse the ‘brain drain’ which occurred in our nation for over 30 years,” he stated. Sri Lanka is poised to enter the global space race by launching its first-ever communication satellite within the next two years, through a joint venture between Supreme Satellite Private Limited Colombo and CGWIC, with an investment of US$ 320 million .

Currently, initial designing stages of this satellite have been completed in Beijing, China.

In less than two years, Sri Lanka would join an elite band of 44 countries by owning its first satellite, Manivannan stated.

“SupremeSAT for me is not just a satellite. It is a proud symbol of modern Sri Lanka that will connect the nation to the world with a strong signal that our nation is in par with any other country and we as its citizens have the ability to execute technologically advanced projects of this nature,” he said.

The company plans to sell satellite facilities to local telecommunication firms and other countries in the South Asian region after the launch of the Sri Lankan satellite, based on the DFH-4 (DongFangHong-4) satellite platform, manufactured by CGWIC, Manivannan said.

A satellite ground station is to be built in Koggala to oversee satellite operations.

The facility could be used by other countries in the region, he said.

Manivannan noted that the joint venture would also save local companies the expense of paying foreign satellite operators, whilst also bringing in foreign exchange to Sri Lanka.

He added that the company would also be looking at catering to telecom operators in other South Asian countries such as the Maldives and Bhutan as well.

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Comments - 12

Daya Tuesday, 31 July 2012 04:49 AM

US $20mn for space acedemy look cheap for me. Is it viable at this price

bandara Wednesday, 01 August 2012 07:31 AM

Cutting edfge Chinese technology??? cutting edge and China don't go together.

reverse brain-drain, surely a Miracle of Asia.

Ha-Ha Thursday, 02 August 2012 06:57 AM

Why not give it a try, since it is pvt sector investment.
Why people always have negative approach to any new initiative ? For sure we cannot start from the scratch, since china has already sent people to moon and having very abisious space plans, this is the way go forward.
By the way, US has already down sizing their space programs.

deen Thursday, 02 August 2012 07:51 AM

it will bring more brightful to coutry and our young generation most get more learn in sattelite field.it will be done by SSPLC IN coming two years its very good news to every single srilankans.

gosh Thursday, 02 August 2012 07:52 AM

A very good initiative !! its good to be able to operate our own satellites independently from other foreign nations.

Gamaya Thursday, 02 August 2012 08:31 AM

Its godd...but what about our struggling universities?

len Thursday, 02 August 2012 11:25 AM

When did China send and to the moon surley chines have kept this information secret. We must thank Ha -Ha this (abisious) bit of news.

wickremasinghe dilip Thursday, 02 August 2012 03:22 PM

Think positive.Do not think only about parripu.One should take, a good look at our country from far.Srilanka is thousand times better than a lot of other places in the world today. Dilip.

Upali- Doha Thursday, 02 August 2012 05:29 PM

Who will be the 1st astronaut and the 2nd ......your guess is as good as mine....!!!

Reader Thursday, 02 August 2012 06:22 PM

Priorities mixed up. This money could have funded alternative energy, clean water, oceanic research, or to manufacture local motorcycles and scooters etc. More benefit to public and the country.

osama Thursday, 02 August 2012 07:26 PM

any technology partnership with china is going to be a big loss for the country best example norichholai power plant, next is they do not have best practice like the europeans or americans it is the best practice is the key to real economic growth not fancy tall buildings,mock motorways, to cheat people & buy votes bring the best practice across the board everything wil be easy

su Saturday, 04 August 2012 09:18 AM

do not bark with out knowing what china has achieved in earo science.
we sri lankan always try to undermin indian and chinese technology.

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US$ 20mn invested in Lanka’s first space academy

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