COLOMBO, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will enter the satellite technology era by sending its first nano technology satellite into space by 2020, Sri Lanka's state media reported Friday.
The Arthur C. Clarke Institute, Sri Lanka's state institute for Research and Development, specializing in several areas including information technology, space technologies, robotics and other related fields of modern technologies, signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia to strengthen Sri Lanka's satellite technology.
Director General of the institute Sanath Panawennage said following the signing of the MoU, the Samara Aeronautics University of Russia had agreed to provide nano satellite technology and help Sri Lanka to station such satellites in space.
Accordingly, Sri Lanka would start producing its first ever nano satellite in 2018. Thereafter, Sri Lanka will enter the satellite technology era by sending its first nano technology satellite into space in 2020.
Research scientist Samantha Pushpakumara of the Nano Satellite Project's Junior Group Leader said a nano satellite is a tiny electronic system about one to 10 kg in weight revolving round the earth in an attitude of about 400 to 500 km. A nano satellite will have one to 12 units.
It can be used for communication photography, obtaining climatic data, as well as data needed in agricultural cultivation, tsunami warnings and receiving data on ship and boat positions.
Nano satellites also cover areas inaccessible to bigger satellites.
