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Photograph Daily Mirror
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Sri Lanka's first satellite is ready for launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China, on 22nd November 2012.
  Nov 17, Colombo: The controlling unit or the Content Management Station of the Sri Lanka's first communication satellite which is now under construction will start operations in June 2013, President Mahinda Rajapaksa's youngest son Rohitha Rajapaksa has told local media.
Sri Lanka's first satellite will take to orbit on November 22 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China and it will be positioned over Sri Lanka. The satellite will be operational for commercial purposes in the region by early June 2013.
The control unit for the satellite is now being constructed in Pallekele near Kandy in the Central Province.
The youngest Rajapaksa has said that the logistics for the space station is being acquired now.
The station will employ 200 professionals including 25 chief engineers. China is building up technical expertise in them at present.
In an interview with a local newspaper Rohitha Rajapaksa has said that Sri Lanka has planned to launch its own satellite in 2015.
SupremeSAT (Pvt) Ltd., a BOI approved company runs this project at a total investment US$ 360 million including the space station and space academy.
Sri Lanka will be the 45th country in the world to own a communication satellite and the third in South Asia. India and Pakistan have their own satellites.
SupremeSAT has entered into an exclusive partnership agreement with China's State-owned China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) for the design, manufacturing and launching of the satellite.
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