Ravana-1 to be launched into orbit today

The research satellite, Ravana-1 which was successfully launched to the International Space Station on the 18th of April from Virginia, through the assistance of the spacecraft Cygnus-1, will be launched into orbit today.

Sri Lanka entered history books by launching its first ever satellite into space in April.

The Ravana-1 satellite was designed and built by two Lankan engineers, Tharindu Dayaratne and Dulani Chamika Vithanage with backing from the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education in Katubedda.

The cube satellite was assembled at the Kyushu Technical Institute in Japan.The cube satellite is 1,000 cubic cm in size and weighs 1.1 kg. 

The satellite is tasked with carrying out five missions, including capturing pictures of Sri Lanka and surrounding regions.

The Ravana-1 is expected to orbit 400km away from earth.It will have a minimum lifespan of one and half years.

The government granted Rs.21.5 million for the cube satellite project.