CONTEXT:

• Sri Lanka’s first satellite ‘Raavana-1’ was launched into space from NASA’s Flight Facility on 18 April 2019.
• ‘Raavana 1’ weights around 1.05 kg and the lifespan of the satellite is around one and a half years.
• The launch marks Sri Lanka’s entry into the global space age.
• Its mission is to capture images of Sri Lanka and its neighbouring countries.

BACKGROUND

• The launch marks Sri Lanka’s entry into the global space race.
• The satellite was designed and built at the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan by two Sri Lankan research engineers.
• Its camera mission is to take pictures of Sri Lanka and its neighbouring countries.
• Its Lora Demonstration Mission is to validate the module to be used to data download next satellites.
• The Attitude Determination and Control Mission of ‘Ravaana 1’ will involve the team trying to reduce the angular velocity of the satellite using magnetic torquers.