Sri Lanka’s Journey into Space: From Raavana-1 to BIRDS-X DRAGONFLY

Colombo, Sept. 18 (Daily Mirror) – Sri Lanka is celebrating another milestone in its space technology journey. The Ministry of Science and Technology announced that Sri Lanka’s third nano-satellite, BIRDS-X DRAGONFLY, will be placed into orbit on September 19, 2025, marking a historic advancement for the country’s scientific development.

BIRDS-X DRAGONFLY (2025)

Developed by Sri Lankan engineers under the guidance of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies in Moratuwa, BIRDS-X DRAGONFLY was carried to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard NASA’s SPX33 cargo resupply mission on August 24, 2025. It will be released into orbit at 2:15 p.m. Sri Lanka time on September 19, 2025.

This project was carried out in partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Asian Research and Development Center (ARDC), and Japan’s Kyushu Institute of Technology, as part of an international cooperation program. Remarkably, the satellite was developed at no financial cost to the Sri Lankan government.

BIRDS-X DRAGONFLY’s mission is primarily educational and technological, designed to train Sri Lankan engineers in satellite design, testing, and deployment. It also includes communication experiments and Earth observation projects.

Previous Satellites of Sri Lanka

Raavana-1 (2019)

Sri Lanka’s first nano-satellite, Raavana-1, was launched on April 17, 2019, from the International Space Station under the BIRDS-3 project. Developed in collaboration with Japan’s Kyushu Institute of Technology, Raavana-1 was equipped with cameras and sensors for Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communication experiments. It marked Sri Lanka’s official entry into space.

KITSUNE (2022)

On March 15, 2022, Sri Lanka launched its second satellite, KITSUNE, as part of an international project with five countries. KITSUNE carried advanced imaging equipment, allowing for high-resolution Earth observation, urban mapping, agricultural monitoring, and disaster management. It demonstrated Sri Lanka’s growing capacity to participate in international space research and apply satellite data for development purposes.

The Importance of Sri Lanka’s Space Program

These achievements highlight Sri Lanka’s increasing role in space science and technology in South Asia. From Raavana-1 to KITSUNE and now BIRDS-X DRAGONFLY, the country has steadily built expertise in satellite engineering and international collaboration. Each satellite has not only provided valuable scientific data but also trained Sri Lankan engineers in advanced aerospace technologies.

Former Director General of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute, Eng. (Dr.) Sanath Panawennage, along with Eng. Kamani Ediriweera and Eng. Kavindra Jayawardena, played a central role in securing international partnerships for these projects. The current generation of engineers, including Tarindu Dayaratne, Kavindu Sampe, Udhitha Gayaweera, and Thilina Withanabandara, represents the future of Sri Lanka’s space program.

Looking Ahead

Sri Lanka’s progress in space exploration is not just about technology—it is also about inspiration, education, and national pride. By launching satellites and collaborating with international partners like NASA, JAXA, and ARDC, Sri Lanka is preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers for global leadership in innovation.