Malaysia Eyeing SL’s First Satellite with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL)

23rd December 2009, www.thebottomline.lk, By Santhush Fernando

The nation’s Telecommunication industry watchdog- Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), is considering ‘Expression of Interest’ by two Malaysian companies to partner Sri Lanka’s space communication programme.

Speaking to The Bottom Line, a high ranking TRCSL official said that Dialog Telekom’s parent company- Malaysia-based Axiata Group, along with Maxis Group, which bought a stake in Sri Lanka Telecom have expressed their intention in investing in the Rs 17 billion communication satellite project.

Completing the only necessity lacking to fulfil a superior technology system, Sri Lanka is now ready to step into the world of satellite communications, with TRCSL planning to establish the Sri Lanka Space Agency (SLASA) as a basic step towards acquiring satellite capability, upon becoming part of the Acquisition of National Satellite Capability. Through the SLASA, the satellite capability will be acquired from the Surrey satellite based in the University of Surrey, UK. SLASA plans to collaborate with ISRO of India, NASA of USA, JAXA of Japan and other space agencies throughout the world.

According to TRCSL Director General Priyantha Kariyapperuma, already, Asian countries such as South Korea and Malaysia, and even countries such as Nigeria have launched their own satellites.

British satellite specialist firm- Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) is to advise the Sri Lankan government on the establishment of its national space programme, implemented under the SLASA.

SSTL has been contracted by TRCSL to develop its own space capability and its first communications satellite, SSTL announced on November 17. SSTL is a spin-off company of the University of Surrey, now fully owned by EADS Astrium that builds and operates small satellites. Its satellites began as amateur radio satellites- UoSAT (University of Surrey Satellite) and OSCAR (Orbital Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) designation. SSTL cooperates with the University’s Surrey Space Centre, which does research into satellite and space topics.

Professor Sir Martin Sweeting of the University of Surrey and Executive Chairman of SSTL, have signed a landmark agreement. The economic benefits resulting from space based communications include Television, broadband services and earth observation applications are substantial and will positively contribute to the country’s development as a “high-tech” trading nation.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), SSTL will provide an Earth observation capability and start work on a geostationary communications satellite. By partnering with SSTL for Earth observation, Sri Lanka will become an important member of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), with the ability to participate in international disaster relief support activities coordinated by the United Nations, through the International Charter.

Maxis Group’s satellite division- MEASAT, launched the MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2 communications satellites from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana in 1996. The launch of MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2 led to a rapid increase in Malaysian infrastructure development, both in telecommunication and broadcasting industries, including the launch of the first world’s digital Direct-To-Home (DTH) Multi-Channel TV Service, Astro. MEASAT became independent in 1998 and undertaking a reverse takeover of Malaysian Tobacco Company (MTC) in 2001, renaming the holding company MEASAT Global Berhad, and the operating Company MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd, the company came of age.