Sri Lanka's Journey
Into Space Technology
From RAAVANA-1 to international CubeSat collaborations, Sri Lanka is steadily building expertise in satellite engineering, remote sensing, GIS, and space research.
Missions
Orbit
Sri Lanka
Collaboration
Program Since
Sri Lanka Space Timeline
SupremeSAT / ChinaSat-12
Sri Lanka's first commercial satellite initiative. Partnership with China using ChinaSat-12 for telecom and broadcasting services. Launched via Long March 3B. (Note: involved controversial ownership structure.)
RAAVANA-1 — Sri Lanka's First Nanosatellite
1U CubeSat (~1.1 kg) deployed from the ISS at ~400 km orbit on June 17, 2019 via Cygnus NG-11. Developed by Tharindu Dayaratne & Dulani Chamika at ACCIMT with Kyushu Institute of Technology. Sri Lanka officially entered space research.
KITSUNE — 6U Nanosatellite
A 6U nanosatellite developed through a 5-country international collaboration. Sri Lanka participated via ACCIMT, coordinated by Kyushu Institute of Technology. Mission focus: Earth observation, technology experiments, and capacity building.
BIRDS-X Dragonfly — 2U CubeSat
Sri Lanka's third nanosatellite mission. 2U CubeSat deployed from the ISS via SpaceX SPX-33. Developed with ACCIMT, Kyutech & JAXA. Funded via ARDC Grant with no direct capital cost to Sri Lanka. Goals: space research, subsystem testing, training.
Mission Specifications
Dulani Chamika
Tech Experiments
Key Organizations
ACCIMT
Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies — Sri Lanka's primary government-backed institute for satellite technology, remote sensing, electronics, and international space collaborations.
Survey Department of Sri Lanka
Manages national geospatial mapping, satellite imagery integration, and GIS infrastructure for public and government use.
University of Moratuwa
Leading engineering faculty with active research in electronics, AI, GIS, robotics, and aerospace-adjacent technologies.
University of Peradeniya
Engineering graduates contributed to Sri Lanka's RAAVANA-1 satellite initiative and ongoing space-adjacent research programs.
Opportunities
GIS & Remote Sensing
Growing demand for satellite image analysts and GIS professionals across agriculture analytics, urban planning, disaster mapping, and environmental monitoring.
View GIS CareersSatellite Data Applications
Weather analysis, maritime tracking, flood forecasting, and land cover monitoring — all powered by open satellite data from ESA Copernicus and NASA Earthdata.
Drone & UAV Technology
Expanding sector for aerial mapping, smart agriculture surveys, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response — CAA-licensed operations growing fast in Sri Lanka.
Sir Arthur C. Clarke
Sri Lanka's Greatest Visionary
The world-renowned science fiction author and futurist who made Sri Lanka his home, and who first proposed the concept of geostationary communication satellites in 1945. ACCIMT is named in his honour. Clarke's vision of satellites connecting humanity remains the foundation of the space economy today.
Learn About ClarkeCurrent Technology Focus Areas
Remote Sensing
Flood monitoring, agriculture analysis, land mapping
GIS Systems
Smart cities, infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring
Astronomy
Solar burst monitoring, telescope research programs
UAV / Drone Tech
Mapping, precision agriculture, surveillance