Sri Lanka is advancing in space exploration through pioneering national efforts as well as strategic international partnerships.

Raavana-1 Satellite

Launched in April 2019, Raavana-1 was Sri Lanka’s first CubeSat, marking the nation’s entry into space exploration.

• First Sri Lankan CubeSat mission: a 1U CubeSat (approx. 1000 cm³, ~1.05–1.1 kg), developed by two Sri Lankan engineers—Tharindu Dayarathna and Dulani Chamika—while studying at Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan.
• Transported to the ISS aboard a NASA Antares/Cygnus launch from Wallops, Virginia (mid-April 2019), later deployed via JAXA’s Kibo module into a 400 km orbit (~15 orbits/day, ~7.6 km/s)
• Designed to carry out five mission tasks: Earth imaging over Sri Lankan region; LoRa‑based remote data collection; beacon transmissions on 437 MHz; Earth magnetic field measurements; and testing COTS adhesives (“space glue”) and magnetic attitude control modules.
• Operated until re-entry on 3 October 2021, exceeding minimum life expectancy of 18 months, with active mission duration supporting outreach and experimental demonstrations.
• Marked Sri Lanka’s inaugural entry into the global CubeSat ecosystem (BIRDS‑3 project) alongside counterparts from Nepal and Japan. It served as both educational as well as public‑engagement mission, capturing images and transmitting messages to local audiences.

• Technologically notable for its low-cost, compact design, enabling insights into satellite subsystems and empowering future student-built missions.

Deep Space Exploration Collaboration (June 2024)

In June 2024, Sri Lanka partnered with China’s Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) to advance space exploration and technology, positioning the nation on the global space exploration map.

• Through this collaboration, Sri Lanka is expected to co-develop instrumentation, technology transfer, and possibly contribute to deeper space probes or lunar missions in the medium term.
• This collaboration aligns with Sri Lanka’s strategic vision to position itself on the global space exploration narrative—with training, shared missions, and capacity building among emerging space nations.

• Student-led innovation (Raavana‑1) — hands-on training in satellite engineering.

• International collaboration (with DSEL) — access to advanced research, deep space projects, and broader mission scope.

• Bilateral knowledge exchange — transferring technical know-how to future Sri Lankan space professionals.

• Inspirational momentum — fostering STEM interest and national pride through visible space achievements.