Sri Lanka to send astronaut to space in 5 years – Vitharana
Sri Lanka will send its first astronaut to space within the next seven years with the help of the Chinese Government now that we have entered the space age with the launching of the SupremeSat–1 on November 27, Science and Technology Senior Minister Tissa Vitharana said yesterday.
He said a private Sri Lankan company SupremeSat has entered into a partnership agreement with China Great wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) for the design, manufacture and launching of telecommunication satellite SupremeSat and two other satellites by 2015. The second satellite is expected to be launched in April 2013.
“The total cost for the four-year project has been estimated at US$300 million funded completely by the private sector. There has been no government involvement. The Chinese government has agreed to establish an aeronautic and space administration center at Pallekele in Sri Lanka to administer, monitor and control satellites and to receive and distribute satellite communication. It also expects to train astronauts at Pallekele. As such Sri Lanka can hope to send a Pallekele Space Centre-trained astronaut to space at some future date,” the minister said.
Commenting on the country’s satellite communication programme with CGWIC, the minister said Sri Lanka must not rely on commercial satellites launched by other countries because the SupremeSat -1 with the Lion Flag on its shell had undertaken to lease a part of its payload for commercial purposes to the Supreme Group of Companies headed by R.M. Nilan Maligaspe.
The SupremeSat-1 will provide Satellite Broadcasting, Digital Multimedia Systems, Data Transmission to East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and the Pacific Region, the minister said.
“The SupremeSat – 1 is a Geo Stationary Satellite (GSS) which will be positioned in an orbit of about 26,000 kilometers above Sri Lanka. This will help Sri Lanka to use it for telecommunication purposes with more clear and quality TV, radio and telecommunication transmissions with costs. Sri Lanka can use the SupremeSat –1 to provide facilities to other countries and earn much needed foreign exchange,” the minister said.
The satellite was launched on November 27 from the Xichang Sattelite Launch Centre.
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I am usually supportive of what the current government is doing. But will it not be better concentrating on eradication Dengue and other diseases spread by mosquitoes breeding in everybody’s backyards before thinking of conquering the space? Which one is more urgent and have direct implications on the country’s development and peoples’ lives?
Dear Indra
Thank you for being supportive of the govt under the able leadership of Hon MR and his 3 brothers. I too am supportive of them.
Dengue has affected many tropical countries like malaria, which is the biggest killer in the world today. It is the resposibility of all countries that suffer from these diseases and also the WHO and UN to unite in combatting these diseases. SL alone cannot fight it. What GOSL can do is to educate our people to help fight malaria and dengue and such mosquito bourne diseases by keeping their environment clean. No empty coconut shells and tins etc thrown out in the garden, and to keep their drains and gutters clean.
GOSL must do its duty by getting the local councils to keep open-drains/sewers clean. Very often I see rubbish in the open-drains hampering the free flow of water, causing stagnation and breeding of mosquito larvae. If Councils fail to serve its local boroughs then they should be punished by the govt through a system of penalties by law. I hope the GOSL takes note of this and takes action against Councils who fail in their duties in this regard.
Putting a satellite for commercial purposes with the help of Chinese Space Agency is through private enterprise. Similarly, participation in space exploration with the help of China is PROGRESS. There are advantages. Such endeavours can only be achieved with the help of private enterprise. GOSL should not waste money exclusively on such endeavours when the needs of its people are of paramount importance.
Indra is striking a discordant note here.
Sr Lanka is entering its next phase of development by investing in satelite technology and space exploration.
The Rajapaksa siblings brought about peace and stability to the country by their political leadership; they eliminated the world most terrible terrorists, LTTE. This is followed by building the nation, roads, highways, airports, harbours, hotels, night clubs unprecedented in our history.
This actions of the Rajapaksas have created an upliftment in the life of the common man, health, wealth and wellbeing for all.
The next generation of Rajapaksas have deomonstrated leadership in the next phase of our development; it consists of fast car racing by Namal, TV and broadcasting ventures by Yoshitha, Satelite technology and space age investments of more than US$500m in an era where the wealthy nations of the world are reeling under the Global Financial Crisis.
We are a proud nation to have the Rajapaksa clan as our leaders in the current era of doom and gloom. Namal and Yoshitha will eventually take over this leadership; we must have the next CJ agree to revise the constitution to include this provision.
Indra, please, all you citizens, keep your backyards and surrounds clean and free of stagnant water and dispose your waste in a thoughtful manner and the dengue will dissapear. Do not be lazy and do not wait for the Rajapaksa magnanimity to come and clean up the dengue in your backyard.